Question

The scientist's theory was initially met with _________, but later gained widespread acclaim after consistent experimental validation.
 

• A. skepticism
• B. celebration
• C. compliance
• D. ignorance

Hint:

\textbf{Tip:} Always read the sentence logically—"but later gained acclaim" implies the first half has a contrasting tone (initial doubt).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The sentence describes a situation where the initial reaction to the scientist's theory eventually changed due to subsequent verification. To fill in the blank, we must select the word that best contrasts with the eventual widespread acclaim. Here's the breakdown:

Options Analysis:

• skepticism: Refers to doubt or disbelief, particularly before the theory was proven; contrasts with final acceptance.
• celebration: Indicates approval or joy, which contradicts the initial doubt needed in the sentence.
• compliance: Suggests agreement or obedience, not aligning with the narrative arc from skepticism to recognition.
• ignorance: Implies lack of awareness or knowledge, which doesn't accurately capture the narrative of disbelief turning into validation.

The best choice in this context is skepticism, as it accurately captures the sense of initial doubt that was overcome through proof, leading to eventual acclaim.

Answer 2

The correct word to fill in the blank is "skepticism". The sentence discusses a scientist's theory and how it was initially perceived. Let's break down the options:

• Skepticism: This means doubt or questioning. It's common for new theories to be met with skepticism until they are proven through consistent experimental validation.
• Celebration: This implies admiration and joy, which does not align with the concept of initial doubt faced by new theories.
• Compliance: This means agreement or submission, which is not a typical reaction to an unproven scientific theory.
• Ignorance: This means lack of knowledge or awareness, but it doesn't fit well in a context where the theory later gains acclaim.

Therefore, "skepticism" is the word that logically completes the sentence, as it aligns with the theme of initial doubt followed by acceptance after validation.