Meaning: 'Grew' means to increase in size, number, or strength.

Wrong options:

• stored: 'Stored' is a past participle that implies keeping something, which does not fit the context of increasing numbers.
• lined: 'Lined' is a past participle that suggests arranging in a line, which is irrelevant to the context of shark bites.
• grounded: 'Grounded' is a past participle that means to prohibit from flying or to establish, which does not relate to the increase in shark bites.
• brought: 'Brought' is a past tense verb meaning to carry or lead to a place, which does not fit the context of growth.

Correct answer: spent

Explanation: The verb 'spent' is in the past tense and indicates the action of using time, which fits well with the context of humans increasing their presence at the seashore.

Meaning: 'Spent' means to have used time in a particular way.

Wrong options:

• stored: 'Stored' does not fit as it refers to keeping something rather than using time.
• lined: 'Lined' does not relate to the context of time spent at the seashore.
• grounded: 'Grounded' does not apply as it does not convey the action of using time.
• brought: 'Brought' does not fit as it refers to carrying something rather than spending time.

Correct answer: stabilised

Explanation: The verb 'stabilised' is in the past tense and indicates that the numbers have become steady after a period of growth, which aligns with the context of the last five years.

Meaning: 'Stabilised' means to make or become steady or stable.

Wrong options:

• stored: 'Stored' does not fit as it implies keeping something rather than indicating a change in numbers.
• lined: 'Lined' does not relate to the context of numbers becoming steady.
• grounded: 'Grounded' does not apply as it does not convey the idea of stabilizing numbers.
• brought: 'Brought' does not fit as it refers to carrying something rather than stabilizing.

Correct answer: thinned

Explanation: The verb 'thinned' is in the past tense and indicates a reduction in the shark population, which fits the context of overfishing affecting numbers near shore.

Meaning: 'Thinned' means to reduce in density or number.

Wrong options:

• stored: 'Stored' does not fit as it implies keeping something rather than reducing a population.
• lined: 'Lined' does not relate to the context of population reduction.
• grounded: 'Grounded' does not apply as it does not convey the idea of thinning a population.
• brought: 'Brought' does not fit as it refers to carrying something rather than thinning.

Correct answer: learned

Explanation: The verb 'learned' is in the past tense and indicates that swimmers have acquired knowledge about risks, which fits the context of changing behavior in response to shark bites.

Meaning: 'Learned' means to have gained knowledge or skill through experience or education.

Wrong options:

• stored: 'Stored' does not fit as it implies keeping something rather than acquiring knowledge.
• lined: 'Lined' does not relate to the context of learning about risks.
• grounded: 'Grounded' does not apply as it does not convey the idea of acquiring knowledge.
• brought: 'Brought' does not fit as it refers to carrying something rather than learning.