Please choose the correct answer to the question: The plate-tectonic model has achieved the status of a scientific theory due to which property of the model?

Answer1: It has been empirically proved to be true. Answer2: It has passed extensive, independent tests of its predictions. Answer3: It is clearer, simpler, and more plausible than other models. Answer4: It provides guidelines for Earth-science investigations that are scientifically valid.

Answer format: answer1/answer2/answer3/answer4