Single-Blank Context Clues Practice Test

A city council recently debated whether to replace several downtown parking spaces with protected bicycle lanes. Supporters argued that safer routes would encourage more residents to bike, reducing traffic and air pollution. Opponents worried that fewer parking spots could hurt nearby businesses, especially during busy weekends. To inform the decision, the council reviewed traffic counts, surveyed shop owners, and studied similar changes in other cities. After weighing the evidence, members proposed a _____ period, meaning the plan would be tested temporarily before becoming permanent. This approach would allow officials to collect data and revise the design if needed. Using context clues, what is the best word for the blank in the passage?

A research team studying urban trees compared streets with heavy traffic to quieter residential blocks. They measured leaf color, trunk growth, and the amount of dust collected on branches. The scientists predicted that pollution would stress trees, but they still needed data to confirm the pattern. After months of measurements, they found that trees near busy roads grew more slowly and had duller leaves. Because the team used observations to support a conclusion, their result was not a guess but a _____. In other words, it was grounded in evidence rather than opinion. Based on the passage, which word best completes the sentence?