The explorers were plagued by flies Is plagued _____a.troubled and annoyedb.divided into sectionsc.elatedd.consumed

To determine the meaning of the word "plagued" in the context of the sentence "The explorers were plagued by flies," we can analyze the options provided:

1. a. troubled and annoyed - This option suggests that the explorers are experiencing distress due to the flies, which aligns well with the context.
2. b. divided into sections - This does not relate to the context of flies and is not a suitable interpretation.
3. c. elated - This implies happiness or joy, which contrasts with the negative connotation of being bothered by flies.
4. d. consumed - This typically means to be completely occupied or engrossed, but it doesn't accurately capture the sense of being distressed by an annoyance.

Final Answer

The correct answer is a. troubled and annoyed. The word "plagued" suggests that the explorers are suffering from the bothersome presence of flies.