The sentence contrasts the missing word with the students' intention of "utmost seriousness." This means the correct answer needs to indicate a goofy or even ridiculous event. "Burlesque," meaning a lampoon or comedic show, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence describes the subject's "years of service and many awards." The correct answer will indicate the way the subject was a very good "major general." "Exemplar," meaning the perfect model or archetype, is the best choice among the answers.

The subject of the sentence is a "minister" who is trying "to perfect his craft."  This means he would be studying something related to the profession of being a minister. "Homiletics," meaning the study of preaching and giving sermons, is the best choice among the answers.

The contrast of the missing word and the subject's "great athleticism" provides the best clue to the answer. The correct answer will indicate the subject moved with a non-athletic looking movement.  "Lope," meaning a smooth and almost lazy gait, is the best choice among the answers.

The fact "the kids roll their eyes" at the missing word, which still held some "grain of truth," indicates the grandfather is saying something familiar or hackneyed. "Saws," meaning old and worn out sayings, is the correct answer choice.

The sentence describes the group's "elaborate ritual" for their meetings, which is then further described by the missing word.  This means the correct answer will have a sense of ritual or tradition. "Liturgy," meaning a guide for a church service, is the best choice among the answers.

The best clue to the sentence is the fact that the missing word has "many connections." The correct answer will indicate a meeting point or junction, which is the definition of "nexus.

The sentence contrasts the missing word with the subject's past as a "lively and gracious person." This means the correct answer will describe a person who is not "lively and gracious." "Curmudgeon," meaning a grumpy and irritable old person, is the best choice among the answer.

The sentence notes that certain people "did not understand the plot's details," and they are the ones questioning the plan for the missing word.  This means the correct answer needs to show the plan's effectiveness or workability, the definition of "efficacy."

The sentence notes the subject has "little experience" in the field, and that this causes the perception described by the missing word. The correct answer needs to demonstrate this inexperience and messing with the established colleagues. "Dilletante," meaning someone who dabbles or an amateur, is the best choice among the answers.