Question

scientists estimated the age of the tree using a process called radiocarbon dating, which involves an in - depth chemical analysis of the wood. although that is an unusual method for dating living trees, many experts believe the test was accurate.
how could a tree possibly live that long? according to leif kullman, one of the scientists who examined the tree, the spruce has a special way of staying alive. \as soon as a stem dies, a new one emerges from the same root stock, so the tree has a very long life expectancy,\ said kullman.
this process, known as vegetative cloning, is a common natural occurrence in many long - lasting trees. however, it also means that only the roots of the spruce are truly ancient; the trunk may be only a few hundred years old. (many trees in the world have older trunks. some of these remarkable trees may be found in north america, particularly in the national forests of california.)
research is continuing on the norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating swedish forest. scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
research is continuing on the norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating swedish forest. scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
what would be the best transition to combine these two sentences into one cohesive idea?
a conversely
b however
c regardless
d specifically

Explanation:

首先分析两个句子的逻辑关系，前一句说研究会揭示关于挪威云杉、古根和瑞典森林的新见解，后一句说科学家希望研究继续在这些方面进行以揭示更多（气候、地质变化、古代人类活动等）。选项D “specifically”（具体地）能很好地衔接，前一句说有新见解，后一句具体说明研究继续的方向和期望揭示的内容，使句子逻辑连贯。A选项“conversely”（相反地）逻辑不符；B选项“however”（然而）表转折，这里不是转折；C选项“regardless”（不管怎样）也不符合逻辑。

Answer:

D. specifically