Meaning: 'Proven' means demonstrated to be true or effective based on evidence or experience.

Wrong options:

• beaten: 'Beaten' is the past participle of 'beat,' which does not relate to success or effectiveness in this context.
• yards: 'Yards' is a plural noun referring to a unit of measurement or an area, which does not fit grammatically or contextually here.
• cracked: 'Cracked' is the past participle of 'crack,' which implies damage and does not relate to the success of the overpass.
• segmented: 'Segmented' is the past participle of 'segment,' which refers to being divided and does not fit the context of proving success.

Correct answer: routes

Explanation: The term 'routes' is a plural noun that refers to paths or ways taken to reach a destination. It fits grammatically and contextually as it describes the safe migration paths for wildlife.

Meaning: 'Routes' means designated paths or ways for travel or migration.

Wrong options:

• segmented: 'Segmented' is an adjective that describes something divided into parts, which does not fit as it does not refer to paths or ways.
• beaten: 'Beaten' is the past participle of 'beat,' which does not relate to paths and is not a noun in this context.
• yards: 'Yards' is a plural noun referring to a unit of measurement or an area, which does not fit as it does not describe migration paths.
• cracked: 'Cracked' is the past participle of 'crack,' which implies damage and does not relate to migration routes.

Correct answer: segmented

Explanation: The word 'segmented' is the past participle of 'segment,' which describes populations that have been divided or separated. It fits grammatically and contextually as it explains the previous state of animal populations before the overpass was constructed.

Meaning: 'Segmented' means divided into separate parts or sections.

Wrong options:

• proven: 'Proven' is the past participle of 'prove,' which does not fit as it does not describe a state of division.
• beaten: 'Beaten' is the past participle of 'beat,' which implies defeat and does not relate to the concept of division.
• yards: 'Yards' is a plural noun referring to a unit of measurement or an area, which does not fit as it does not describe a state of being.
• cracked: 'Cracked' is the past participle of 'crack,' which implies damage and does not relate to the concept of being divided.