Explanation
Correct answer: B.
Choice B is the best answer. “Undermining this explanation” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that adult Chelonibia testudinaria showed behavior consistent with self-initiated locomotion—undermines or weakens the previous explanation that barnacle movement was a result of passive displacement by water currents.
Why the other choices are wrong
Choice A
Choice A is incorrect because “contrary to this phenomenon” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about barnacles exhibiting behavior consistent with self-initiated locomotion opposes the previous information about barnacles shifting slightly in position over time. Instead, the sentence undermines or weakens the previous claim about passive displacement. That is, the sentence doesn’t oppose the fact that the barnacles shifted position: it challenges the previous sentence’s explanation for the movement.
Choice C
Choice C is incorrect because “drawing a similar conclusion” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about barnacles exhibiting behavior consistent with self-initiated locomotion is similar to the previous conclusion that barnacle movement is the result of passive displacement. Instead, the sentence undermines or weakens the previous sentence’s explanation for how the barnacles moved.
Choice D
Choice D is incorrect because “confirming this hypothesis” illogically signals that the information in this sentence about barnacles exhibiting behavior consistent with self-initiated locomotion confirms the hypothesis in the previous sentence that the barnacle movement was the result of passive displacement. Instead, the sentence undermines or weakens the previous sentence’s explanation for how the barnacles moved.
Student discussion
marcosat 0 likes
The text says that a barnacle moves passively due to water currents. Then a study says that barnacles move but because of their own will (self initiated locomotion). It even contributes to the idea that these barnacles move against the water current. Therefore, the transition would undermine or weaken this explaantion, although it is true in some way.