Vocabulary and context: choose the most accurate adjective describing cattle after a shortage of grass on arid plains Context: Due to a dearth of grass on dry, arid plains, the cattle’s condition deteriorates. Complete the sentence with the most precise descriptive word: "On account of the dearth of grass on the arid plains the cattle became ______." Choose the correct option.

Given data

• Setting: arid plains; shortage (dearth) of grass.
• Subject: cattle's condition because of lack of food.

Concept/Approach
Emaciated means abnormally thin or weak, especially because of lack of food. This directly matches cattle suffering from fodder scarcity.

Option analysis
emaciated — correct; undernourished and gaunt due to starvation. ✅frolicsome — playful; contradicts the context of scarcity.corpulent — fat; opposite of what scarcity causes.belligerent — aggressive; not a physical condition from lack of grass.

Common pitfalls

• Confusing emaciated (thin) with corpulent (fat).

Final Answer
emaciated