The answers are B, D and H.

The sentence discusses how popular journalism has historically distorted scientific theories, often simplifying or garbling them for mass audiences. However, it then contrasts this with a newer style of science writing that successfully combined technical accuracy with readability, thereby challenging the belief that science writing must sacrifice rigor to remain accessible.

Blank (i):
A. greatly enriched by: This does not fit the negative tone established by “garbled in newspaper accounts.” The sentence suggests that journalism mishandled scientific theories, not enriched them.
B. persistently distorted by: Distorted means misrepresented or altered inaccurately. This fits perfectly with the example of Newton’s mechanics being routinely garbled in newspapers.
C. accurately conveyed to: This directly contradicts the idea that scientific theories were “garbled” in popular journalism.

Blank (ii):
D. misrepresent: Misrepresent means portray inaccurately. This aligns perfectly with the earlier discussion of scientific ideas being distorted in journalistic accounts.
E. vindicate: Vindicate means justify or prove correct. The sentence clearly suggests the opposite, that journalism mishandled scientific ideas.
F. surpass: Surpass means exceed or do better than. The sentence is discussing inaccurate reporting, not improvement upon scientific sources.

Blank (iii):
G. entrench: Entrench means strengthen or firmly establish. However, the sentence says the new genre produced writing that was both rigorous and accessible, which challenges the old assumption rather than reinforcing it.
H. upend: Upend means overturn or radically challenge. This fits perfectly because the new genre disproved the belief that scientific rigor and accessible prose were incompatible.
I. recycle: Recycle means reuse or repeat. The sentence describes a break from the old pattern, not repetition of it.