The research team's findings _______ previous theories about how memories form in the brain. Their discovery of a new neural pathway suggested that scientists had fundamentally misunderstood the process for decades.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
challenged
confirmed
repeated
ignored
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The passage states scientists had "fundamentally misunderstood" the process, indicating the new findings contradicted old theories. "Challenged" means to question or dispute, fitting this context of overturning previous beliefs.
Choice B is incorrect because "confirmed" means to verify, the opposite of showing misunderstanding. Choice C is incorrect because "repeated" doesn't convey the paradigm shift described. Choice D is incorrect because "ignored" doesn't relate to disproving theories.