The context for the first two blanks might not be readily apparent, but if we jump to the final sentence, we are able to provide some context for the first sentence. We know based on the final sentence that some diets are "taxing" and emotionally draining, and that a balanced approach to diets is advisable. Using this information, we can go back to the first blank and infer that the first blank implies some positive action or attitude regarding diets, which the second blank qualifies in some way. "Extol," meaning praise, "condone," meaning accept, and "laud," meaning praise emphatically, all could make sense. "Descry," meaning see, and "occlude," meaning obstruct, don't really seem to fit in the meaning of the sentence. 

This allows us to narrow our options to "extol . . . asceticism . . . onerous," "condone . . . veracity . . . tractable," and "laud . . . probity . . . panegyric." Given that we know that it is easy to act in some positive way toward diets, but that the end of the sentence advises us to not be too extreme in some action toward those diets, "asceticism," meaning unindulgent self-discipline, certainly makes sense, and "probity," meaning strong principles, also potentially works. "Veracity," meaning truth, does not really fit in the sentence. Given the context of the final sentence, advocating for a balance between mental and physical health, "onerous," meaning burdensome, makes perfect sense. "Panegyric," meaning a speech that praises something or someone, does not fit at all. As such, we know the right answer is "extol . . . asceticism . . . onerous."

Based on the context of these two sentences, we can tell that the individual in question has commited some "base and undignified crime." Furthermore, based on the use of "hard to imagine," we know that, even though he wasn't well-liked, his employees still felt that his actions were surprising. As such, we can reasonably infer that the first blank will involve conveying a sense of surprise or shock, that the second blank will in some way describe the severity of the crime committed, and that the third blank will describe a characteristic that contrasts with "base and undignified." 

Given this, "flabbergasted," meaning astonished, and "bewildered," meaning perplexed, both could make sense for the first blank. "Nonplussed," meaning unphased, would clearly not work here. "Chagrined," meaing embarassingly vexed, isn't completely nonsensical, but doesn't quite fit given the context. "Buttressed," meaning supported, also does not work. This narrows our options down to "flabbergasted . . . odious ... highfalutin," or "bewildered . . . insipid . . . prodigious." 

Moving to the next blank, we can see that "odious" is a definite possibility, as it means revolting. "Insipid," meaning unimaginative, does not seem to work quite as well. This is confirmed when we examine the final blank, in which "prodigious," meaning impressively large, gives a nonsensical meaning to the sentence. By contrast, "hghfalutin," meaning pompous, fits the context perfectly, and so by process of elimination, we are left with the correct answer: "flabbergasted . . . odious . . . highfalutin."

Based on the fact that the sentence describes certain other painters as having less talent than Harish, we can infer that the first blank, followed by the word "talent," will have some positive meaning. Since the second blank, following "unmatched," seems to reinforce the positively characterized talent in the first blank, we can infer that the second blank is probably some noun or adjective that would support this claim. Since the sentence makes clear that Harish is not very business-minded, and that he is often outsold by less-talented painters, we can infer that the final blank, following the phrase "superior business . . .," is probably some noun that describes some postive skill or quality relating to business. 

Given the aforementioned context for the first blank, "singular," meaning unique, and "auspicious," meaning promising, both could potentially work. "Quiescent," meaning dormant, and "opaque," meaning non-transparent, don't seem to fit well. Similarly, "hapless," meaning unlucky, also doesn't make much sense. This leaves us with two answer possibilities: "singular . . . virtuosity . . . acumen," and "auspicious . . . diligence . . . encomium."

"Virtuosity," meaning mastery, and "diligence," meaning persistence, both potentially work for the second blank, so we are still not able to eliminate either option. Moving to the third blank, "acumen," meaning cleverness in a specific field, clearly makes sense for the third blank; however, "encomium," meaning a written text that praises someone or something, makes no sense at all. This gives us our answer: "singular . . . vituosity . . . acumen." 

Based on the context, we can tell that the professor has some quality (first blank) that makes her able to transform some routines that are some description similar to "commonplace" (second blank) into a source of rich discussion. We also know that the third blank is some adjective qualifying "morning hygiene rituals," and that it probably contrasts with adjectives that would be used to describe something that would typically "reveal deep insights into human nature."

For the first blank, "enrapturing," meaning captivating, and "lucid," meaning clear, could both make sense. "Forlorn," meaning pitiful or hopeless, "muddled," meaning confused, and "opaque," meaning non-transparent, don't work well at all. This narrows our options to "enrapturing . . . prosaic . . . quotidian" and "lucid . . . quentessential . . . fraught." 

"Prosaic," meaning everyday, could clearly work as a qualifier of "routines." "Quintessential," meaning a good model or example of something, doesn't fit perfectly as a description of routine. Moving to the third blank, "quotidian," meaning everyday, definitely makes sense as a description of "morning hygiene rituals," whereas "ersatz," meaning substitute, does not. This leaves us with the correct answer, "enrapturing . . . prosaic . . . quotidian."

Based on the second sentence, we know that the man is not refined, as the guests are surprised that a refined woman would be with him. It then becomes clear that his behavior at dinner was probably some negative quality, and that he was lacking some thing or quality that he should have.

Since we know the first blank is some negative quality, "boorish" meaning bad-mannered, and "crotchety," meaning grumpy, both could work. "Endearing," meanign generating affection toward someone or something, "assiduous," meaning diligent, and "laconic," meaning meaning saying very little, do not make sense. This leaves us with "boorish . . . decorum . . . uncouth" or "crotchety . . . mores . . . urbane." Moving to the second blank, it would make perfect sense that the man would be lacking "decorum," meaning propriety. It could also make sense that he might be lacking in "mores," meaning social customs. 

For the third blank, "uncouth," meaning crass, works perfectly as a counterpoint to "refined." "Urbane," meaning sophisticated, would not. As such, we are left with "boorish . . . decorum . . . uncouth."

Based on the fact that the billionaire is described as "a darling of the charity world," we can ascertain that the general tone of the sentence will probably be positive. 

For the first blank, "lavishness," meaning extravagance, and "grandeur," meaning splendor, both make sense as a description of the billionaire's house. "Veneer," meaning a thin exterior coating or false front, does not make sense at all. "Haughtiness," meaning arrogance, and "magnanimity," meaning generosity, could have some relevance given the sentence's subject matter, but do not make sense as a description of a house. This leaves us with a choice between "lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize" and "grandeur . . . stinginess . . . revitalize."

Characterizing the billionaire as having "largesse," meaning generosity in giving money, makes sense given the statement that he is a "darling of the charity world." However, "stinginess," meaning miserliness, clearly contrasts with this claim, and as such, does not work. At this point, we have narrowed down the correct answer by process of elimination; however, just to double check, we can look to the third blank. Here we see that it would make sense that he would "epitomize generosity of spirit," as "epitomize" means exemplify. We now have the correct answer: "lavishness . . . largesse . . . epitomize."

"Edifice" can be defined as a structure, "maintained" as sustained, and "restored" as repaired. All of the other answers do not fit the context of the sentence when used together.

Solution: "Healthy individuals can be studied through simple surgical procedures."

Imagine this question as a checklist. Find the advantages that the author does mention, and eliminate those answer choices. The advantage of neuroimaging is that it is “non-invasive.” Surgery is invasive. "Researchers can better understand how people think about themselves.": The 1st paragraph tells us of advances in “self-referential judgments and memory,” in other words, how we think about ourselves. "The connections between some parts of the brain are made apparent.": The links between the amygdala and MPFC are shown by “neuroimages” (2nd paragraph.) "Greater insight as to how people perceive each other is made possible.": The 3rd paragraph discusses changes in the brain that depend on who individuals are thinking about. "Scientists do not have to rely on animals that have sustained injuries.": Since neuroimaging is “non-invasive,” humans (and perhaps, animals) that have not sustained injuries can be studied.

Solution: "created and stored in different parts of the brain"

Refer back to the passage to answer this Specific question. According to the 2nd paragraph, the amygdala “creates memories that counter those fears, though these memories are then stored in the MPFC.” "formed in the dorsal and ventral MPFC": No connection is made between specific regions of the MPFC and fears. "related to memories that form prejudices": No connection is made between prejudices and memories that allay fears. "able to be manipulated in rats through neuroimaging procedures": No mention of manipulating rats’ memories is made. Neuroimaging is used for viewing images, not manipulating memories. "affected by tasks that demand attention": Attention-demanding tasks are not mentioned in relation to fears.

As with any “except” style specific question, you should go locate each of the incorrect answers and confirm their presence in the passage. The remaining choice will be the correct answer. The primary difficulty in this type of question usually comes from wordplay, so make sure you read each answer carefully to avoid accidentally misinterpreting one or more of them.

For "the importance of history in analyzing a particular environment", this can be found near the end of the last paragraph: “This idea of hysteresis – that the state of an environment depends at least in part on its history and not just its current state…” "the existence of multiple stable states for an ecosystem" can be found in multiple places but is most concretely stated in the last sentence: “However, whether most ecosystems that can exist under multiple stable states will readily convert between the two is still an open debate.” "out-of-control phytoplankton blooms in a lake" and "the addition of phosphorous to a clearwater lake" are easily found in the last paragraph with the following: “For example, disrupting the balance of phosphorous in a clearwater lake can lead to out-of-control phytoplankton blooms. Reducing this addition of phosphorous.” For "stable ecological configurations across short time frames", the correct answer, you must read carefully. “Stable ecological configurations” are indeed discussed in the passage but only over long time frames, not short time frames!