Question

Directions: Replace the number with the word(s) that best fit(s) the meaning of the passage as a whole.

It is ___(46)___ to read a book about our planet by an author who does not allow facts to be ___(47)___ by politics: well aware of the political disputes about the effects of human activities on climate and biodiversity, this author does not permit them to ___(48)___ his comprehensive description of what we know about our biosphere. He emphasizes the enormous gaps in our knowledge, the ___(49)___ of our observations, and the ___(50)___ of our theories, calling attention to the many aspects of planetary evolution that must be better understood before we can accurately diagnose the condition of our planet.

Choose the option that best fits blank (50).

• A. Showiness
• B. Resistance
• C. Certainty
• D. Superficiality
• E. Plausibility

Hint:

The blank continues a list of shortcomings alongside "gaps in our knowledge" and "(49) of our observations"; pick the word meaning a lack of depth.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Look at the sentence around blank (50): "He emphasizes the enormous gaps in our knowledge, the (49) of our observations, and the (50) of our theories, calling attention to the many aspects of planetary evolution that must be better understood."

Step 2: This is a list of three parallel shortcomings the author points out: gaps in knowledge, a deficiency in observations (blank 49), and a deficiency in theories (blank 50). The following clause confirms this reading, since it says these shortcomings show that many aspects still need to be better understood.

Step 3: Among the choices, Superficiality (option d) means shallowness or lack of depth, which fits well as a description of theories that have not been worked out in enough depth. It continues the same critical tone as gaps in knowledge.

Step 4: Checking the rest: Showiness and Resistance do not pair sensibly with theories in this sentence. Certainty would say the opposite of what the author intends, since the whole passage is stressing how much is still unknown. Plausibility is closer in tone but only says the theories seem believable, it does not capture the sense of an unfinished or shallow understanding the way Superficiality does.

The correct answer is option (d) Superficiality.