Meaning: 'Isolated' means being separated from others, in this case referring to the polar bears being genetically distinct from other groups.

Wrong options:

• articulated: 'Articulated' refers to something that is expressed clearly or distinctly, which does not apply to genetic status.
• correlated: 'Correlated' implies a relationship or connection between two things, which is not relevant in this context of genetic uniqueness.
• overpopulated: 'Overpopulated' suggests an excessive number of individuals in a given area, which contradicts the idea of being genetically distinct.

Correct answer: melted

Explanation: The word 'melted' is the correct past participle form that describes the state of the sea ice, fitting grammatically and contextually as it indicates the ice has changed from solid to liquid, which is essential for the bears' hunting behavior.

Meaning: 'Melted' means that the ice has turned into water due to heat, which is a critical factor affecting the bears' habitat.

Wrong options:

• pelted: 'Pelted' means to strike or hit repeatedly, which does not relate to the state of ice in this context.
• belted: 'Belted' refers to being encircled or fastened with a belt, which is irrelevant to the condition of ice.
• felted: 'Felted' refers to a process of matting fibers together, which does not apply to the melting of ice.

Correct answer: resilient

Explanation: The word 'resilient' appropriately describes the polar bears' ability to withstand challenges, fitting both grammatically and contextually as it highlights their adaptability in changing environments.

Meaning: 'Resilient' means being able to recover quickly from difficult conditions, indicating the bears' strength in surviving climate changes.

Wrong options:

• emollient: 'Emollient' refers to something that soothes or softens, which does not apply to the bears' survival capabilities.
• salient: 'Salient' means prominent or noticeable, which does not convey the idea of adaptability or survival.
• redundant: 'Redundant' means unnecessary repetition, which is not relevant to the context of the bears' survival.

Correct answer: majority

Explanation: The word 'majority' fits grammatically and contextually as it refers to the larger portion of polar bears that do not have access to glacial ice, emphasizing the widespread issue of habitat loss.

Meaning: 'Majority' means more than half or the greater part of a group, highlighting that most polar bears are affected by the lack of ice.

Wrong options:

• minority: 'Minority' refers to a smaller part of a group, which contradicts the context of discussing the larger population of polar bears.
• familiarity: 'Familiarity' means close acquaintance or knowledge, which does not relate to the population context.
• singularity: 'Singularity' refers to being unique or one-of-a-kind, which does not apply to the discussion of the polar bear population.