When astrophysicist Dr. Elena Rostova published her findings on the orbital patterns of a newly discovered exoplanet, the scientific community readily _______ her conclusions as transformative; this validation occurred because her data provided the first concrete evidence of water vapor in that distant solar system.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
accepted
guaranteed
refuted
trivialized
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text states that the scientific community reacted to Rostova's work as "transformative" because of the concrete evidence she provided. "Accepted" means recognized as valid or correct, which fits the context of validation mentioned in the text.
Choice B is incorrect because "guaranteed" means to promise, which doesn't fit the reaction of peers to a research paper. Choice C is incorrect because "refuted" means to prove wrong, which contradicts the text's statement that her work was validated. Choice D is incorrect because "trivialized" means to make something seem less important, the opposite of viewing it as transformative.