Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing)

Choose the word that best fits each blank.

Tardigrades, often called water bears, are microscopic animals famous for surviving conditions that would kill almost any other creature. When their surroundings dry out, they curl into a dormant ball, lose most of their body water, and slow their metabolism almost to a standstill. In this state they can endure extreme cold, intense radiation, and even the vacuum of space, springing back to life once water returns.