Meaning: 'Earlier' means at a time before now or before a specified time.

Wrong options:

• ago: The word 'ago' is an adverb used to indicate a time in the past relative to the present, but it does not fit grammatically in this context as it does not modify the verb correctly here.
• found: The word 'found' is a verb that means to discover or establish, which does not relate to the context of birth and does not fit grammatically.
• plagued: The word 'plagued' is a verb that means to cause continual trouble or distress, which does not fit the context of indicating a time of birth.
• slayed: The word 'slayed' is the past tense of 'slay,' meaning to kill in a violent way, which is completely unrelated to the context of birth.

Correct answer: plagued

Explanation: The term 'plagued' is a verb that means to be troubled or afflicted by something undesirable. In this context, it indicates that Northern Ireland was not suffering from civil strife at that time, fitting both grammatically and contextually.

Meaning: 'Plagued' means to be troubled or afflicted by something, often used in a negative context.

Wrong options:

• ago: The word 'ago' is an adverb indicating a time in the past, which does not fit the context of describing a state of being.
• found: The word 'found' is a verb meaning to discover or establish, which does not relate to the context of civil strife.
• earlier: The word 'earlier' is an adverb that indicates a time before a specified point, which does not fit the context of describing a state of being.
• slayed: The word 'slayed' is the past tense of 'slay,' meaning to kill, which is unrelated to the context of civil strife.

Correct answer: explored

Explanation: The word 'explored' is a verb that means to travel through an area to learn about it. It fits grammatically as it describes the action that Warnie and Jack engaged in together in their garden, maintaining the context of childhood activities.

Meaning: 'Explored' means to investigate or travel through an area to learn more about it.

Wrong options:

• found: The word 'found' is a verb that means to discover or establish, which does not fit the context of the children playing together.
• earlier: The word 'earlier' is an adverb that indicates a time before a specified point, which does not fit the context of describing an action they took together.
• plagued: The word 'plagued' is a verb that means to cause continual trouble, which does not fit the context of playful activities.
• slayed: The word 'slayed' is the past tense of 'slay,' meaning to kill, which is completely unrelated to the context of exploring.