When Barbara McClintock proposed genetic transposition in the 1940s—the idea that genes could move within chromosomes—her work was largely ignored for decades. She was seen as an eccentric working outside mainstream genetics. After molecular biology confirmed transposons in the 1970s, her earlier work was celebrated, earning her a Nobel Prize. Some historians argue her gender led to marginalization; others point to the technical and conceptual barriers her work faced in pre-molecular biology.
It can be inferred from the text that
McClintock's research was immediately accepted by the scientific community
gender is the only factor that can affect scientific reception
molecular biology never confirmed McClintock's findings
the reception of scientific work may be influenced by factors beyond its validity
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Valid work was ignored due to external factors.
- Context clues: Her work was correct but "largely ignored"; historians debate gender and technical barriers.
- Meaning: Factors beyond scientific merit—social and technical context—affected reception.
- Verify: Later Nobel Prize confirmed the work's value; earlier neglect shows non-merit factors.
💡 Strategy: When valid work is initially rejected, infer that non-validity factors influence reception.
Choice A is incorrect because her work was "largely ignored for decades." Choice B is incorrect because historians offer multiple factors, including technical barriers. Choice C is incorrect because molecular biology "confirmed transposons."