Choose the best contextual synonym for fastidious:

The forensic paleobotanist was fastidious in her laboratory protocols, examining each pollen grain under electron microscopy to eliminate cross-contamination.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

  1. Step 1: Analyze context: the scientist examined individual pollen grains under electron microscopy to prevent contamination, demonstrating extreme precision.
  2. Step 2: 'Fastidious' means very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail; meticulous, painstaking, and demanding.
Answer
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.
Why not the others: 'careless, hurried, and indifferent to scientific standards' is the direct antonym (slipshod); 'deeply fearful of handling biological laboratory specimens' implies phobia; 'strictly motivated by commercial corporate profit margins' refers to commercialism.

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