Question

right index fingers whenever they felt the urge. haynes’s team scrutinized the subjects’ brain activity in real time, carefully monitoring the results and searching for patterns.
the results were surprising. the team discovered that they could observe a pattern of brain activity that would allow them to predict a subject’s decision to press a button up to seven seconds before the subject actually reported making his or her decision. this prediction process was accurate sixty percent of the time.
while some scientists have discounted this study for relying on an oversimplified decision - making process, these results have given other scientists hope. perhaps, in the future, scientists will be able to accurately predict the results of even more complicated decision - making processes. in the meantime, the question looms: if our choices can be predicted before we even make them, then do we really have the freedom to choose?
what is the meaning of scrutinized as used in the passage?

examined closely

made a guess about

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "scrutinized", we analyze the context. The sentence says the team was monitoring results and searching for patterns in real - time while doing this action to the subjects' brain activity. "Examined closely" fits as it implies a detailed and careful look, which is consistent with monitoring and looking for patterns. "Made a guess about" is incorrect as guessing doesn't involve careful monitoring, and the other option (partially visible) doesn't fit the context of careful study.

Answer:

A. examined closely