Texas Court Reporter Practice Exam

In ecology, mice are easy (pray, prey) for owls. What is the correct word to use?

1. Prey

2. Pray

3. Hunt

4. Ambush

The correct answer is: Prey

The correct word to use in this context is "prey." In ecology, "prey" refers to animals that are hunted and consumed by other animals, such as owls in this case. Mice serve as a food source for owls, who actively hunt and eat them. The word "pray," on the other hand, is related to religious practices and refers to the act of communicating with a deity, often to express gratitude or request assistance. It does not have any relevance to the relationship between owls and their food sources. The other terms, "hunt" and "ambush," describe actions that might be performed by the owl when searching for food but do not accurately describe the role of mice in the ecological interaction. Therefore, "prey" is the most appropriate choice as it directly defines the relationship between the owls and the mice they consume.