Slight confusion about an SC from Big Book

[flounder]

Within the next decade, sophisticated telescopes now orbiting the earth will determine whether the continents really are moving, ___ the incipient ___ among geologists about the validity of the theory of continental shift.

a. obviating..consensus
b. forestalling..rift
c. escalatating..debates
d. engendering..speculation
e. resolving..rumors

Cheers

[Svetyk]

Hi Ali, I'll make my try here...
Since the meaning implied from the usage of "sophisticated telescopes" suggest the successful solution toward the discussions/open questions etc. among the scientists, I think this (telescopes usage) will decrease their extent. Therefore, (a), (c), and (d) don't suit at all (the first words means ~ 'increase'). (e) seems unsuitable for me, since scientists usually do not rumor (at least about serious things).
(b) is left: to 'foresall' something means 'to exclude/hinder/prevent' and 'rift' is a disagreement in thought or viewpoint.
I suggest the answer is (b). Is this correct?
Regards, Svetlana

[ranjani]

i cocur with svetlana....b is the answer...
or,by any chance,cud it be (A)??
flounder votz the ans anyways?

[eagle]

B is my answer too. Since the telescopes should take away/forestall differences/rifts between scientists.

[flounder]

Originally posted by Svetyk

Hi Ali, I'll make my try here...
Since the meaning implied from the usage of "sophisticated telescopes" suggest the successful solution toward the discussions/open questions etc. among the scientists, I think this (telescopes usage) will decrease their extent. Therefore, (a), (c), and (d) don't suit at all (the first words means ~ 'increase'). (e) seems unsuitable for me, since scientists usually do not rumor (at least about serious things).
(b) is left: to 'foresall' something means 'to exclude/hinder/prevent' and 'rift' is a disagreement in thought or viewpoint.
I suggest the answer is (b). Is this correct?
Regards, Svetlana

Hi Svetlana and everyone,

Yes we have a winner hehe. B it is, and nice line of reasoning there Svetlana. I agree that choice b might seem fit for the first blank but "rumors" does not make sense in something scientific.

Cheers