Question:medium

Directions: Replace the number with the word(s) that best fit(s) the meaning of the passage as a whole. Choose the best option for the blank marked (47).
It is _____ (46) to read a book about our planet by an author who does not allow facts to be _____ (47) by politics: well aware of the political disputes about the effects of human activities on climate and biodiversity, this author does not permit them to _____ (48) his comprehensive description of what we know about our biosphere. He emphasizes the enormous gaps in our knowledge, the _____ (49) of our observations, and the _____ (50) of our theories, calling attention to the many aspects of planetary evolution that must be better understood before we can accurately diagnose the condition of our planet.

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Think about what usually happens to plain facts when a topic becomes politically controversial, and which word naturally pairs with "by politics."
Updated On: Jul 20, 2026
  • Invalidated
  • Overshadowed
  • Illuminated
  • Interfered
  • Elucidated
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

This blank describes what usually happens to plain scientific facts once a subject like climate change becomes politically contested, and the sentence praises the author for not letting that happen.
  • "Illuminated" and "Elucidated" both mean the facts were made clearer, which is the reverse of what politics typically does, so neither fits.
  • "Invalidated" suggests the facts themselves are disproved, but political disputes do not actually make facts false, they merely distort how much attention or credibility the facts receive.
  • "Interfered" does not pair naturally with "by politics" in standard English usage.
  • "Overshadowed" is the natural fit: it means the facts get pushed into the background or lose visibility because of political noise, which is precisely the problem the author is said to avoid.
The correct word for blank (47) is "Overshadowed," option (b).
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