Here is the item:
David was so hungry that he fought
his brother for the container of leftovers, teared
off the lid, and ate the cold
meatloaf and congealed gravy right out of the plastic.
The second verb, teared, is incorrect. As you know, this sentence requires the simple past.
Tore is the right form; teared is a spelling error.
| Verb | Simple Present |
Simple Past |
Past Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| tear | tear(s) | tore | torn |