Explanation
Correct answer: B.
Choice B is the best answer. “Specifically” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that pauses between chimpanzee gestures average about 120 milliseconds, comparable to the 200-millisecond average pause in human speech—provides specific, precise details elaborating on the previous sentence’s claim about the pace of chimpanzee communication being similar to that of human conversations.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because “as a result” illogically signals that this sentence presents a result or consequence of the claim about chimpanzee communication described in the previous sentence. Instead, the sentence provides specific details elaborating on that claim.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because “by contrast” illogically signals that the information about chimpanzee gesture exchanges in this sentence contrasts with the previous sentence’s claim about the pace of chimpanzee communication being similar to that of human conversations. Instead, the sentence provides specific details elaborating on that claim.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because “nevertheless” illogically signals that the information about chimpanzee gesture exchanges in this sentence is true despite the previous claim about the pace of chimpanzee communication. Instead, the sentence provides specific details elaborating on that claim.