OE


This is a three-blank Text Completion question, so determine which blank is easiest. Begin with the third blank and determine who/what the blank is describing. The third blank is describing a phenomenon in turtles. Determine what else gives insight into the word for the blank. The sentence states that turtles showing no signs of aging is a way to describe the phrase in quotes; thus, the phenomenon could be described as negligible “aging.” Choice (G), rejuvenation, is the opposite of “aging” and (H), superannuation, means the state of being old. Choice (I), senescence, means the process of aging, so while (H) is a decent fit for the word in the blank, (I) is a better one, so eliminate (H) and keep (I). Work with the second blank and determine who/what the blank is describing.

The blank is a descriptive word about the stories of musket balls being found in the shells of living turtles. Determine what else gives insight into the word for the blank. Using while as a transition, the second blank contrasts the tales of musket balls…found in the shells of living turtles with the known phenomenon of “negligible senescence.” If “negligible senescence” is something legitimate and recognized, then the tales of musket balls in turtle shells may be “dubious” or “bogus.” Choice (D), apocryphal, is a good fit for “dubious,” while (E) is the opposite of “dubious,” and (F) is extreme and implies a judgment. Keep (D). Determine who/what the first blank is describing. The blank is describing the human lifespan. Determine what else gives insight into the word for the blank. For the first blank, it can be inferred that the [p]eople who dismiss tales of musket balls in turtle shells think that the human lifespan “represents” the outer bounds of animal longevity. Choice (A), belies, is the opposite of “represents” so eliminate it. Choice (B), demarcates, is a good match for “represents,” so keep (B). Choice (C), antedates, is also a poor match for “represents,” so eliminate (C).
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