Reread this sentence from paragraph 2, which refers to

the disappearance of the giant tortoises:

But human activity decimated their population.

Suppose the author wanted to make the tone of this

sentence less harsh by replacing the word decimated.

Choose the LEAST intense word he could use.

reduced

wrecked

slashed

eroded

reduced

Explanation:

Wreck is very intense or negative word usually meaning complete destruction. It would be the most intense word.

Slash is also intensive, it means cutting with knife/sword.

Eroded is also intense meaning to gradually wipe out, to make it completely disappear.

However "reduce" is least intense since it simply means reduction in number and not complete extinction or destruction.

Answer:reduced

Explanation:

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