On account of the dearth of grass on the arid plains the cattle became …… A. flippant B. jubilant C. agitated D. emaciated

The correct answer is D. emaciated.

The other options are incorrect because:

• Flippant means not taking something seriously. This is not the case for the cattle, who are clearly suffering from a lack of food.
• Jubilant means feeling or showing great happiness or excitement. This is also not the case for the cattle, who are clearly in distress.
• Agitated means feeling or showing nervous excitement or anxiety. This could be the case for the cattle, but it is more likely that they would be emaciated.

Emaciated means very thin or weak, especially as a result of illness or starvation. This is the most likely outcome for the cattle, as they are not getting enough food to survive.