Could you please elaborate on why (C) teological is not a valid answer for the first blank?

Because the clue to the first blank is at the end of the phrase: supernatural. It is not related to teological.

I know your first thought is science versus religion. But here is not the case.

Hope this helps.

Regards

@carcass
I believe it is "theological" not "teological".

Thank you so much to point out. It was teleological

+ 1 kudo

can anybody explain the last blank..I got rest two right but the last one as G.?

The correct words for the blanks are (i) preternatural, (ii) preclude, and (iii) consonant.

Breakdown of the Blanks
- Blank (i): B. preternatural

The sentence says that modern scientists reject certain interpretations of events in their search for "secular insights into the matrix of causes and effects." A secular view is one that is not supernatural. Therefore, the interpretations that are rejected must be supernatural in nature. Preternatural means beyond what is normal or natural. This fits the context of supernatural explanations.
- Blank (ii): F. preclude

The word "paradoxically" signals a contrast. The fact that science rejects supernatural explanations does not do something to the existence of individual scientists who have these views. Preclude means to prevent from happening. This means the scientific method doesn't prevent individual scientists from having supernatural beliefs.
- Blank (iii): H. consonant

The final blank describes the relationship between the views of individual scientists and their belief in supernatural causes. The word consonant means in agreement or harmony with. This indicates that a scientist's views can be in harmony with a belief in supernatural causes, despite the overall scientific approach.