Logically, a damaged fossil should provide less information than an intact one, but for paleontologist Brigitte Schoenemann,
a broken area on a fossilized trilobite (a crustacean-like creature) ______ fresh insight, allowing her to view the inner structure
of the organism’s eye.
resolved
adjusted
offered
directed
Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion about how, for Schoenemann, a
damaged trilobite fossil was informative. In context, “offered” means provided or gave. The text suggests that although it
may seem counterintuitive, a broken fossilized trilobite allowed Schoenemann to observe more details of the trilobite’s eye
than an intact fossilized trilobite would. This context conveys the idea that a damaged fossil offered, or provided, fresh
insight into the structure of a trilobite’s eye.
Choice A is incorrect because “resolved” means determined or ﬁgured out, which wouldn’t make sense in this context. The
text focuses on how Schoenemann was able to get more information from a broken fossil than an intact one. Although the
damaged fossil may have allowed her to determine certain information, as an inanimate object the fossil isn’t capable of
resolving anything. Choice B is incorrect because saying that the broken part of a trilobite fossil “adjusted,” or changed or
modiﬁed, fresh insight wouldn’t make sense in this context. The text focuses on how Schoenemann was able to get more
information from a broken fossil than an intact one. This context suggests that the fossil offered fresh insight, or
understanding, not that it adjusted fresh insight. Choice D is incorrect because “directed” means managed or instructed,
which wouldn’t make sense in this context. The text focuses on how Schoenemann was able to get more information from a
broken fossil than an intact one. This context suggests that the fossil offered fresh insight, or understanding, not that it
directed fresh insight.