In her groundbreaking study on sleep patterns, Dr. Maya Patel discovered that adults who consistently slept fewer than six hours showed _______ cognitive decline compared to those who slept seven to eight hours. The difference was measurable within just two weeks of the study.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
accelerated
minimal
reversed
imaginary
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The passage contrasts sleep-deprived adults with well-rested ones and notes measurable differences in just two weeks. "Accelerated" meaning faster or increased decline logically fits this comparison.
Choice B is incorrect because "minimal" would suggest little difference, contradicting the emphasis on measurable effects. Choice C is incorrect because "reversed" would mean improvement, not decline. Choice D is incorrect because "imaginary" contradicts the statement that the difference was measurable.