Question

read the passage and then answer the question.
a typical human baby is born with around 300 bones, but by the time that baby reaches adulthood, it will have only 206. initially, such a notable diminution in the number of bones may seem counterintuitive—shouldnt a skeleton need more bones, not fewer, as it grows? the explanation lies in the way bones grow and develop.
with age, the human skeleton undergoes a process of bone fusion. newborns bones are spongy and give way to pressure because they are made primarily of cartilage. these malleable bones make it easier for a newborn to pass through the narrow birth canal. over time, however, the bones gain more calcium and join together, forming the 206 bones that make up an adults skeletal structure.
what is the meaning of diminution as used in the passage?
variation
adjustment
decrease
increase

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "diminution", we analyze the passage: a baby is born with ~300 bones, and as an adult, has 206 bones. This shows a reduction in the number of bones. "Variation" implies a change (not specific to reduction), "adjustment" is a modification (not about quantity change), "increase" is the opposite of the observed change. "Decrease" matches the reduction in bone count.

Answer:

C. decrease