When we trace the development of atomic theory, we can see how the early form of an idea is modified rather than thrown out by later discoveries. Do you recognize parallels to this modification of basic ideas in other kinds of human experience? Explain please cause I really have no idea what's that.

That is a strange homework you've got my friend... It's the first time that I see an essay-type chemistry question. Oh well, I guess there's a start to everything ;)

If I got the question well, you are asked where you can find an example of where old ideas are not plainly and crudely discarded because of later discoveries, but are instead modified and explained why errors were introduced in the old idea in question. Something smoother, like for example,

"The previous theory was wrong because they didn't and couldn't get the absolute zero, but now that it is possible, we have found that ..."