Blank (i)
The first sentence describes what botanical gardens should do: "careful selection, arrangement, and critical annotation of their living collections." This is the definition of curation - the act of selecting, organizing, and providing interpretive context. The second sentence begins "By thus (i)
______ the specimens," where "thus" points directly back to this curatorial activity. The blank must mean selecting, organizing, and providing interpretive context for.
- A. curating - Selecting, organizing, and presenting with expert interpretation. "By thus curating the specimens" perfectly captures the activities described in the first sentence. Correct.
- B. propagating - Breeding, multiplying, reproducing. The sentence is about intellectual engagement with collections, not biological reproduction. Incorrect.
- C. acclimatizing - Adapting to new environmental conditions. Describes a horticultural technique, not the curatorial activities of selection and annotation. Incorrect.

Blank (ii)

The second sentence states that by curating, gardens "would transcend the role of mere seed banks and assume a vital (ii) ______ function, teaching visitors not only to identify plants but to understand their ecological significance." The phrase "teaching visitors" directly defines this function. The blank must mean educational, instructive, or related to teaching.
- D. classificatory - Relating to classification, taxonomy. Classification is a curatorial tool, not the benefit provided to visitors. The sentence says the function teaches - it does not merely classify. Incorrect.
- E. horticultural - Relating to garden cultivation. The gardens already serve a horticultural function by their very existence. The sentence describes an additional function beyond cultivation. Incorrect.
- F. pedagogical - Relating to teaching, instruction, or education. "A vital pedagogical function, teaching visitors" perfectly captures the educational mission. Correct.