Context clues for the first blank include "meandered slowly" and "sleepy quality"; the river must be slow-moving ("torpid"). "Bucolic" is a synonym for the "rustic landscape."

The waiter "went above and beyond, anticipating the party's every need." In other words, he was "solicitous" (attentive and caring). The cuisine was described as "fit for the goods" or ambrosial. Don't be lured into "culinary" as an answer choice - "culinary cuisine" would be redundant. 

The main clue for the first blank is illegally copied, which is a perfect definition for "pirated." For the second blank, we're looking for something that means looks good (legitimate) on the outside but is not actually good ("would not play"). "Specious" is a good fit.

The key context clue here is "redundant." If the first draft was redundant, it must have had extra, unnecessary information; in other words, it was "superfluous." Once revised, the draft was briefer and to the point, or "succinct."

"Truthful," meaning always speaking honestly, works here because it describes the lawyer who never lies. "Deceitful," meaning not speaking honestly, works here because it describes the clients who try to lie to the lawyer.

"Tawdry," meaning showy but cheap, doesn't work to describe the lawyer, as no indications have been given about his physical appearance, invalidating the answer choice.

"Insensitive" doesn't work, as the lawyer has primarily been described as someone who tells the truth, invalidating the answer. 

"Almighty" doesn't work, as no indications have been given about the lawyer's power, invalidating the answer. 

"Unbelievable" doesn't work, as no indications have been given about the lawyer's believability, invalidating the answer.

Concerning the first blank: The context clues for this word are in the first clause, where the text indicates that the doctor's handwriting was impossible to read. Thus, in context, "inscrutable" (unable to be understood) makes much more sense than "remonstrate" (to protest and complain to someone). 

Concerning the second blank: In this sentence, we have a situation: the doctor's handwriting could not be read. And then, we have a consequence: the pharmacist nearly killed someone, and the doctor was forced to do something. Therefore, "theretofore" (up until that point or beforehand) makes no sense in context, as this is a "cause, effect" sentence, not "effect, cause" sentence. Thus, "as a result" is the correct choice.

Concerning the third blank: As a result of a doctor's bad handwriting, a patient almost died. Thus, you can conclude that the doctor was ordered to not write poorly anymore. Keeping that in mind, you have "careen" (move while swaying in an unstable fashion) and "improve" (get better).  Thus, the doctor was likely ordered to improve, not continue moving uncontrollably (perhaps his hand had originally careened?).

The clues here lead us to see that Peter has in mind several options that are short-term. While these solutions do not provide the final solution to his long-term goals, they do contribute to the accomplishment of such things. From the structure of the sentence, we can see that the first and the third blanks must be filled with words that are relatively similar in meaning. "Intermediary" and "temporary" are not exactly the same, but things that are only "in the middle" (i.e. intermediary) are not generally meant to last for the long-term. The general idea is that as time passes, these temporary solutions can set the stage for greater, more durable things in the future.

The closest incorrect answer is "gelatinous . . . puddles . . . encircle"; however, such gelatinous matter would not make "puddles." Clearly, however, the oatmeal is some kind of thick material. This is indicated by the clue latent in the language that states that it fell "reluctantly from the ladle" as well the explicit word "thick" used in the sentence. The word "viscous" describes a thick material that is neither fully solid nor liquid in its general characteristics. The related word "viscosity" represents a measure of such thickness. Such matter certainly would fall into little globules into the bowl.

The best first clue for this sentence is the clause "expressing his passing thoughts with little hesitation." This means that Robert apparently did talk about his views. To "opine" on something is to express one's opinion on the matter, even if one is not certain of the truth of the matter. (This is the nature of opinion.) It seems that he would express thoughts in just this way. Thus, it seems that he does not have any really "set" beliefs. Hence, "settled" is good—though "certain" and, perhaps, even "dogmatic" both could work if the other words were well-combined with them (though they are not). Since Robert's friends are described as being reticent and conservative, they likely do not express matters of opinion this freely. (Note, this has nothing to do with conservatism in the political sense but instead with the general temperamental outlook of being cautious about new things.) Such people would be disconcerted by his opining, and this would lead to feelings of anxiety or consternation.

A number of these possible answers do have a correct word (or set of words) for the second blank. This needs to be something like "colder" or "brisker." However, the key blank is the first. It clearly needs to be opposed to the word "literally." The point is that most people use words in ways that are not literal, even when they say they are speaking "literally." A metaphorical use of a word is one that is extended, as when we say that the glass is "sweating" when what is really occurring is condensation. The last blank, likewise, is quite obviously something like "initially" or "originally."