Though many _____ studies of the effect of altitude on blood chemistry focus on people who live above sea level, researchers Suleiman A. Al-Sweedan and Moath Alhaj recently chose the novel path of focusing on people who live below sea level, in locations such as the California towns of Salton City and Coachella.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
Explanation
Context: Many [blank] "studies of the effect of altitude on blood chemistry focus on people who live above sea level." Researchers recently "chose the novel path of focusing on people who live below sea level"—differing from typical studies.
Answer: C) conventional
Why? "Novel path" contrasts typical studies. Conventional = typical, standard.
Traps:
- A) eccentric → means unusual, opposite
- B) meager → means scarce, different
- D) random → means haphazard, different