The scientific research conducted by Marie and Pierre Curie is perhaps the most famous example of _______ in the history of chemistry. While many scientists work in isolation, the Curies’ shared labor and mutual support led to the discovery of radium and polonium.

Burning fossil fuels for energy is often considered _______ because of the high carbon emissions and the finite nature of the resource. Consequently, engineers are developing solar and wind technologies to provide a cleaner, more sustainable alternative.

Trees planted in rows along the edge of a farm field serve as windbreaks. Strong winds can erode soil and damage young crops. The trees slow down the wind gusts. This creates a more _______ microclimate where delicate plants can grow without physical stress.

The influence of K-Pop (Korean Pop music) is hardly _______ South Korea: fans from Brazil to Germany memorize the lyrics and emulate the fashion styles of idols like BTS and Blackpink.

Although the field of surgery was dominated entirely by men in the mid-19th century, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell did not view the profession as _______: she became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and opened her own infirmary.

Unexpected storms have challenged a meteorologist’s forecast that the region would experience a week of uninterrupted sunshine. The rain is unlikely to ______ her prediction of a warm summer overall, but it will certainly alter the rainfall data for the current month.

______ the historical bias of focusing medical research primarily on male physiology, the National Institutes of Health now requires that clinical trials include female participants to ensure treatments are effective for everyone.

The following text is adapted from a travel memoir about a crowded garden.

The ivy seems to be dressed in green every season. Here it was now, covering the ground, disputing every inch of soil with the wildflowers, its vines spreading with an aggressive confidence that choked out the delicate blooms.

As used in the text, what does the word "disputing" most nearly mean?

Amphibians require water to reproduce, laying soft, jelly-like eggs. This biological necessity explains why amphibians can be _______ reptiles, which lay hard-shelled eggs and can reproduce entirely on dry land.

While modern critics have undermined claims that the artist Van Gogh was _______ the art world of his time, it is true that his residence in the rural south of France meant he was physically isolated from the bustling art markets of Paris.