Question

when geneticist barbara mcclintock first presented her discovery of transposable elements in maize at the 1951 cold spring harbor symposium, her audience responded with silence; her findings contradicted the prevailing view that genes occupied fixed chromosomal positions. only decades later, after molecular techniques confirmed transposition across species, did the scientific community ______ mcclintocks work.

4 mark for review
which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
a corroborate
b praise
c acknowledge
d revisit

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context. Initially, her work was met with silence as it contradicted prevailing views. Later, molecular techniques confirmed transposition, so the scientific community should recognize her work.

• Option A: "corroborate" means to confirm, but the techniques confirmed transposition, not her work directly in the sense of corroborating.
• Option B: "praise" is about expressing approval, but the focus is on recognizing the validity of her work, not just praising.
• Option C: "acknowledge" means to recognize the existence or validity of, which fits as after confirmation, the community recognized her work.
• Option D: "revisit" means to go back to, which doesn't fit the context of accepting her work after confirmation.

Answer:

C. acknowledge