Select the most more appropriate option to fill in the blank.

The flood water ____________ agricultural fields and entered houses in several parts of the state.

inundated

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is inundated.

The word "inundated" means to cover or flood with water. In this context, it is the most accurate word to describe the action of the flood water. The flood water did not protect, cultivate, or groove the agricultural fields. It simply inundated them, or flooded them with water.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Protected means to shield from harm or danger. The flood water did not protect the agricultural fields. It harmed them by flooding them with water.
• Cultivated means to prepare and use land for growing crops. The flood water did not cultivate the agricultural fields. It destroyed the crops that were already growing there.
• Grooved means to make a series of parallel channels in something. The flood water did not groove the agricultural fields. It simply covered them with water.