Meaning: 'Struck' means to hit or collide with something forcefully.

Wrong options:

• clinical: 'Clinical' is an adjective that describes something related to medical treatment, which does not fit the context of an asteroid impact.
• wiped: 'Wiped' is the past tense of 'wipe,' which does not relate to the action of the asteroid impacting Earth.
• deflected: 'Deflected' means to cause something to change direction, which does not accurately describe the action of the asteroid hitting Earth.
• cast: 'Cast' is the past tense of 'cast,' which means to throw something, but it does not fit the context of an impact.

Correct answer: consequential

Explanation: The adjective 'consequential' describes something that has significant consequences or effects. In this context, it appropriately characterizes the outcome of the event as being of great importance, fitting both grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Consequential' means having significant consequences or effects.

Wrong options:

• clinical: 'Clinical' refers to a medical context and does not convey the significance of the outcome of the extinction event.
• wiped: 'Wiped' is a verb and does not function as an adjective to describe the outcome.
• deflected: 'Deflected' is a verb that does not describe the nature of the outcome and is not suitable as an adjective here.
• struck: 'Struck' is a verb and does not fit as a descriptor for the outcome.

Correct answer: wiped

Explanation: The verb 'wiped' is the past tense of 'wipe,' which indicates the action of completely removing or eradicating something. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the extinction of species resulting from the impact event.

Meaning: 'Wiped' means to remove or eliminate completely.

Wrong options:

• clinical: 'Clinical' is an adjective that does not relate to the action of extinction and is not suitable here.
• consequential: 'Consequential' is an adjective and does not fit as a verb to describe the action of wiping out species.
• deflected: 'Deflected' means to change direction and does not describe the action of extinction.
• struck: 'Struck' is a verb that refers to the impact itself, not the result of wiping out species.