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Science advances (i) ________ as (ii) _________ change abruptly
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30 Dec 2025, 07:28
30 Dec 2025, 07:28
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
60% (00:32) correct
40% (00:52) wrong based on 5 sessions
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Science advances (i) ________ as (ii) _________ change abruptly and we are forced to stop and reorient ourselves to view old information in new ways.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
|---|---|
| A. exponentially | D. paradigms |
| B. inexorably | E. axioms |
| C. jerkily | F. continuities |
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Re: Science advances (i) ________ as (ii) _________ change abruptly
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04 Jan 2026, 08:24
04 Jan 2026, 08:24
Expert Reply
The two answers that best complete the sentence are jerkily and paradigms.
Here is the completed sentence and a breakdown of why:
Completed Sentence
Science advances jerkily as paradigms change abruptly and we are forced to stop and reorient ourselves to view old information in new ways.
Rationale
This sentence describes a model of scientific progress that contrasts with the idea of smooth, continuous accumulation of knowledge. The structure suggests that the way science advances (i) is caused by the sudden, abrupt changes in our fundamental frameworks (ii).
1. Blank (ii): Paradigms (D)
- The phrase "change abruptly and we are forced to stop and reorient ourselves" strongly points to the concept of paradigms as described by the philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
- A paradigm is a fundamental theoretical framework, a set of shared assumptions, concepts, and practices that defines a scientific discipline during a period of normal science.
- A paradigm shift is the "abrupt" revolution where the old framework is overthrown by a new one, forcing scientists to "reorient" and see "old information in new ways."
- Why not the others? Axioms (E) (self-evident truths) don't typically change abruptly in this revolutionary sense. Continuities (F) (uninterrupted connections) is the opposite of something that changes abruptly and causes a jolt.
2. Blank (i): Jerkily (C)
- If the progress is marked by periods of stability followed by abrupt changes (paradigm shifts), then the overall motion of science is not smooth and steady.
- Jerkily (in fits and starts; with sudden, irregular movements) perfectly describes this pattern of change: slow, "normal" science followed by a sudden, "jerk-like" revolution.
- Why not the others? Exponentially (A) suggests increasingly rapid, but smooth advancement. Inexorably (B) means impossible to stop or prevent (implying a smooth, continuous force), which contradicts the "stop and reorient" nature of the described change.
Therefore, the best combination is (i) jerkily and (ii) paradigms.
Here is the completed sentence and a breakdown of why:
Completed Sentence
Science advances jerkily as paradigms change abruptly and we are forced to stop and reorient ourselves to view old information in new ways.
Rationale
This sentence describes a model of scientific progress that contrasts with the idea of smooth, continuous accumulation of knowledge. The structure suggests that the way science advances (i) is caused by the sudden, abrupt changes in our fundamental frameworks (ii).
1. Blank (ii): Paradigms (D)
- The phrase "change abruptly and we are forced to stop and reorient ourselves" strongly points to the concept of paradigms as described by the philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
- A paradigm is a fundamental theoretical framework, a set of shared assumptions, concepts, and practices that defines a scientific discipline during a period of normal science.
- A paradigm shift is the "abrupt" revolution where the old framework is overthrown by a new one, forcing scientists to "reorient" and see "old information in new ways."
- Why not the others? Axioms (E) (self-evident truths) don't typically change abruptly in this revolutionary sense. Continuities (F) (uninterrupted connections) is the opposite of something that changes abruptly and causes a jolt.
2. Blank (i): Jerkily (C)
- If the progress is marked by periods of stability followed by abrupt changes (paradigm shifts), then the overall motion of science is not smooth and steady.
- Jerkily (in fits and starts; with sudden, irregular movements) perfectly describes this pattern of change: slow, "normal" science followed by a sudden, "jerk-like" revolution.
- Why not the others? Exponentially (A) suggests increasingly rapid, but smooth advancement. Inexorably (B) means impossible to stop or prevent (implying a smooth, continuous force), which contradicts the "stop and reorient" nature of the described change.
Therefore, the best combination is (i) jerkily and (ii) paradigms.
gmatclubot
Re: Science advances (i) ________ as (ii) _________ change abruptly [#permalink]
04 Jan 2026, 08:24
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