Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
In the sentence, the words “expected” and “only” imply that the data received from the spacecraft exceeded scientists’ expectations. Therefore, the words that fill the blank should describe a reaction to results that are better than hoped for, and the choices “thrilled about” and “elated by” both express such a reaction. The scientists may well also have been eager for, or keen on, the information, but their eagerness is not well
explained by the unexpectedness of the information.