Question

for questions 16 - 20, refer to the following passage: dr. leland was known for his curiosity and (16) integrity. even when his experiments failed, he reported his results honestly. his latest (17) hypothesis involved testing a rare mineral that might store solar energy more efficiently than current batteries. some of his colleagues were (18) wary of his new project, believing it too risky. but dr. lelands (19) resilient nature kept him moving forward, even when the data looked discouraging. when he finally presented his findings, his clear and logical explanations appealed to his audiences (20) logos, persuading them through reason rather than emotion. 17. a hypothesis is best described as: a. a wild guess with no evidence b. a proposed explanation based on limited evidence c. a proven law of science d. a personal belief unrelated to data

Explanation:

A hypothesis is an educated guess. It is a proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. Option A is incorrect as it's not a "wild guess" but an informed one. Option C is wrong because a hypothesis is not a proven law. Option D is incorrect as it is related to data (the limited evidence).

Answer:

B. A proposed explanation based on limited evidence