Meaning: 'Grew' means to increase in size, amount, or degree.

Wrong options:

• saved: Saved is a past participle that implies preservation, which does not fit the context of increasing numbers.
• kept: Kept is a past tense verb that suggests maintenance rather than growth, making it unsuitable here.
• stabilized: Stabilized implies a state of no change, which contradicts the idea of numbers increasing.
• added: Added suggests an action of inclusion, which does not align with the context of growth in numbers.
• known: Known is a past participle that indicates awareness, not applicable to the growth of numbers.
• thickened: Thickened implies an increase in density, which does not fit the context of shark bite numbers.
• spent: Spent is a past tense verb that refers to the use of time or resources, not applicable to the growth of numbers.

Correct answer: spent

Explanation: The verb 'spent' is in the past tense and refers to the time humans have dedicated to being at the seashore. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes an action that correlates with the increase in shark bites.

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

Wrong options:

• saved: Saved does not fit as it implies preservation rather than the use of time.
• kept: Kept suggests maintenance, which does not relate to the action of spending time.
• stabilized: Stabilized does not apply as it refers to a state of no change, not the action of spending time.
• added: Added implies inclusion, which does not relate to the context of time spent at the seashore.
• known: Known indicates awareness, which does not fit the context of time usage.
• thickened: Thickened refers to density, which is irrelevant to the concept of spending time.
• grew: Grew is about increase, not the action of spending time.

Correct answer: stabilized

Explanation: The verb 'stabilized' indicates that the numbers of shark bites have reached a steady state over the past five years. This fits grammatically and contextually as it describes a change in trend after a period of growth.

Meaning: 'Stabilized' means to become steady or unchanging.

Wrong options:

• saved: Saved does not fit as it implies preservation rather than a change in numbers.
• kept: Kept suggests maintenance, which does not apply to the context of numbers changing.
• grew: Grew indicates an increase, which contradicts the idea of stabilization.
• added: Added implies an increase, not a stabilization of numbers.
• known: Known refers to awareness, which does not relate to the concept of stabilization.
• thickened: Thickened implies an increase in density, which is not relevant to the stabilization of numbers.
• spent: Spent relates to time usage, not the state of shark bite numbers.

Correct answer: thinned

Explanation: The verb 'thinned' indicates a reduction in the shark population, which fits grammatically and contextually as it explains the reason for the stabilization of shark bite numbers.

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

Wrong options:

• saved: Saved implies preservation, which does not fit the context of reducing a population.
• kept: Kept suggests maintenance, which does not apply to the reduction of shark numbers.
• stabilized: Stabilized indicates no change, which contradicts the idea of thinning the population.
• added: Added implies an increase, which is opposite to the intended meaning of reducing the population.
• known: Known refers to awareness, which does not relate to the concept of thinning a population.
• thickened: Thickened implies an increase in density, which is not relevant to the reduction of shark numbers.
• grew: Grew indicates an increase, which contradicts the idea of thinning.

Correct answer: learned

Explanation: The verb 'learned' indicates that swimmers have gained knowledge about the risks, fitting grammatically and contextually as it describes a change in behavior that correlates with the stabilization of shark bite numbers.

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

Wrong options:

• saved: Saved implies preservation, which does not fit the context of acquiring knowledge.
• kept: Kept suggests maintenance, which does not apply to the action of learning about risks.
• stabilized: Stabilized refers to a state of no change, which does not relate to the action of learning.
• added: Added implies inclusion, which does not fit the context of gaining knowledge.
• known: Known indicates awareness, which does not relate to the active process of learning.
• thickened: Thickened refers to density, which is irrelevant to the concept of learning about risks.
• grew: Grew indicates an increase, which does not apply to the process of learning.