Understanding the Passage and Blank 1

The passage discusses Dr. Hemmings' research into the "big cat phenomenon," focusing on finding evidence of large predatory animals. The first blank describes an action taken by Dr. Hemmings related to the "remains of some wild animals". We need to choose the most appropriate verb from the options provided that fits the context of a researcher examining animal remains.

Analyzing Options for Blank 1

Let's look at each option and see how well it fits the sentence:

• decided: This means making a choice or judgment. While researchers make decisions, "decided the remains" doesn't make grammatical or contextual sense. You decide *on* something, not *the* remains themselves in this way.
• invented: This means creating something new that did not exist before. Animal remains already exist; they are found or discovered, not invented by a researcher. This option is incorrect.
• settled: This word has several meanings, like resolving a dispute or making a home somewhere. None of its common meanings fit the context of examining physical remains.
• identified: This means recognizing or establishing the identity of something, determining what it is or where it came from. In the context of research on animal remains, "identified" is the most appropriate word. A researcher examines bones or other remains to identify the species, age, cause of death, etc.

Why 'Identified' is Correct

Dr. Hemmings is conducting research on the big cat phenomenon. Finding and examining animal remains is part of this research. The most logical action a researcher would perform upon finding animal remains relevant to their study is to figure out what they are – to identify them. The sentence structure "has already ______ the remains" requires a verb that describes what was done *to* the remains. "Identified" perfectly describes the process of examining and recognizing the nature of the remains.

Therefore, "identified" is the most appropriate word to fill in blank No. 1.

Sentence with the Correct Word

Over the past year, Dr. Hemmings has been conducting research on the big cat phenomenon and has already identified the remains of some wild animals that may have been eaten by _____ far larger than any of the country's known carnivores.

The subsequent blanks would build upon this context of identifying potential prey of large, unknown predators.

Revision Table: Choosing the Right Word

Additional Information: Research on Animal Remains

Studying animal remains is a crucial part of various scientific fields, including zoology, archaeology, and forensic science. When researchers find bones, teeth, or other parts of animals, they use specific techniques to "identify" them. This identification process can involve:

• Comparing the remains to known specimens or databases.
• Analyzing physical characteristics like size, shape, and structure.
• Using DNA analysis if possible.
• Examining wear patterns, cut marks, or other evidence to understand how the animal lived or died.

In the context of the passage, Dr. Hemmings is likely using these methods to identify the species of the prey animals and potentially gather clues about the predator based on the condition of the remains. This process is accurately described by the verb "identified".