The statement that best summarizes the excerpt is:
"Katherine Goble listened to the engineers and asked thoughtful questions, wanting to gain a more extensive knowledge of the subject and complete her task with precision."
This statement accurately captures Katherine's active participation in the discussion with the engineers. She is shown as someone who listens closely, asks questions to deepen her understanding, and aims to create a more refined model of the world. Her intentions are focused on gaining extensive knowledge and completing her task with precision.