OE


The key idea in this sentence "have determined"; by this we know meteorologists have studied or examined hurricane activity in order to draw conclusions about its timing. The missing word will correspond with the idea of an examination or the undertaking of a study. Choice (A)-cogitation (meaning deep thought), Choice (D)-introspection (meaning contemplation), and Choice( F )-rumination (also meaning contemplation) do relate to examining, but the connotation is not proper for this sentence. These three words refer to examining for the purpose of understanding and not examining for the purpose of analyzing. Choice (C)-circumlocution (meaning a lengthy, round-about expression) is off-topic for this sentence. The correct answers are Choice (B)-consideration (meaning the process of weighing carefully) and Choice (E)-expatiation (meaning a discussion that enlarges a topic).