Meaning: 'Picky' means being very selective or choosy about what one eats.

Wrong options:

• tear: 'Tear' is a verb that means to rip apart, which does not describe the nature of orcas as eaters.
• deserved: 'Deserved' is an adjective that implies something is merited, which does not relate to eating habits.
• attack: 'Attack' is a verb that refers to an aggressive action, which does not fit the context of describing eating behavior.
• intact: 'Intact' is an adjective meaning undamaged or whole, which does not describe the eating habits of orcas.
• observed: 'Observed' is a verb that means to watch or notice, which does not fit as a description of orcas' eating preferences.
• perplexed: 'Perplexed' is an adjective meaning confused, which does not relate to the eating habits of orcas.
• swallowed: 'Swallowed' is a verb that refers to the act of taking something into the stomach, which does not describe the nature of orcas as eaters.

Correct answer: tear

Explanation: The verb 'tear' fits grammatically as it describes the action orcas take when consuming their food. It indicates a physical action that aligns with the context of how they eat.

Meaning: 'Tear' means to rip or pull apart something forcefully.

Wrong options:

• picky: 'Picky' is an adjective that describes a characteristic of eaters, not an action, making it unsuitable here.
• deserved: 'Deserved' is an adjective that does not convey any action related to eating.
• attack: 'Attack' is a verb that implies aggression, which does not fit the context of how orcas consume their food.
• intact: 'Intact' is an adjective that means undamaged, which does not relate to the action of eating.
• observed: 'Observed' is a verb that means to watch, which does not describe the action of consuming food.
• perplexed: 'Perplexed' is an adjective that means confused, which does not relate to the action of tearing food.
• swallowed: 'Swallowed' is a verb that refers to the act of ingesting food, but it does not describe the initial action of tearing it apart.

Correct answer: perplexed

Explanation: The word 'perplexed' fits grammatically as an adjective describing the scientists' emotional state upon discovering something unexpected. It aligns with the context of their surprise at the findings.

Meaning: 'Perplexed' means confused or puzzled, especially by something unexpected.

Wrong options:

• tear: 'Tear' is a verb that does not describe an emotional state, making it unsuitable here.
• deserved: 'Deserved' is an adjective that implies merit, which does not relate to the scientists' reaction.
• attack: 'Attack' is a verb that refers to an aggressive action, which does not fit the context of scientists' feelings.
• intact: 'Intact' is an adjective meaning undamaged, which does not describe the scientists' emotional response.
• observed: 'Observed' is a verb that means to watch or notice, which does not convey an emotional state.
• picky: 'Picky' is an adjective that describes selectiveness, which does not relate to the scientists' feelings of confusion.
• swallowed: 'Swallowed' is a verb that refers to the act of ingesting, which does not describe the scientists' emotional state.

Correct answer: intact

Explanation: The word 'intact' fits grammatically as an adjective describing the condition of the sea otters found in the orca's gastrointestinal tract. It conveys that the otters were found whole, which is surprising.

Meaning: 'Intact' means undamaged or whole, indicating that the sea otters were not harmed.

Wrong options:

• tear: 'Tear' is a verb that does not describe the condition of the sea otters.
• deserved: 'Deserved' is an adjective that implies merit, which does not relate to the condition of the otters.
• attack: 'Attack' is a verb that refers to an aggressive action, which does not fit the context of describing the otters.
• picky: 'Picky' is an adjective that describes selectiveness, which does not relate to the condition of the otters.
• observed: 'Observed' is a verb that means to watch, which does not describe the state of the otters.
• perplexed: 'Perplexed' is an adjective that describes confusion, which does not relate to the condition of the otters.
• swallowed: 'Swallowed' is a verb that refers to the act of ingesting, which does not describe the state of the otters.

Correct answer: swallowed

Explanation: The verb 'swallowed' fits grammatically as it describes the action taken by the orca regarding the sea otters. It aligns with the context of how the otters ended up in the orca's gastrointestinal tract.

Meaning: 'Swallowed' means to take something into the stomach by using the throat.

Wrong options:

• tear: 'Tear' is a verb that describes ripping apart, which does not fit the context of ingesting.
• deserved: 'Deserved' is an adjective that does not convey any action related to eating.
• attack: 'Attack' is a verb that implies aggression, which does not fit the context of how the orca consumed the otters.
• intact: 'Intact' is an adjective that means undamaged, which does not describe the action of ingesting.
• observed: 'Observed' is a verb that means to watch, which does not describe the act of consuming food.
• perplexed: 'Perplexed' is an adjective that means confused, which does not relate to the action of swallowing.
• picky: 'Picky' is an adjective that describes a characteristic of eaters, not an action, making it unsuitable here.