The key thing to note is that the criminal in question was proven to be innocent. Therefore, he wasn't even merely excused. Instead, he was exculpated or exonerated of the crime. The word "exonerate" is taken from the prefix "ex-", meaning out of and a base taken from the Latin onus, meaning weight or burden. When a person is "exonerated," he or she has the burden of guilt removed from him or her. This word is also found in the English "onerous," meaning difficult. This man seems to have been very hated, for the crimes in question were vile. "Execration" is the act of hating in a profound manner. We can surmise that the man was hated in this manner, at least until he was exonerated.

In its most straightforward sense, the sentence is saying that the president removed all evidence of his illegal actions. To "expunge" something is to clean it out completely (or to erase all that is in it). Thus, to "expunge" evidence is to get rid of it all. "Malfeasance" is bad activity, generally done by someone who is a public figure. The "mal-" portion of the word comes from Latin roots meaning bad and is found in "malice" and "maladjusted."

The general tone of this sentence indicates that the vandals were performing an insulting action by spitting on the flags. Apparently, they covered it with some sorts of obscene expressions. Although a word like "expression" could be a correct option, the word "epithet" is excellent, for it means an abusive term. (Note, however, that in some scenarios it can also merely indicate any old term that is uniquely appropriate for a given thing or person.) Since these words are so nasty, it is arguable that the vandals actions were a desecration of the flag. To "desecrate" something is to treat it with disrespect. It comes from the Latin roots "de-" meaning away from or down from and "-secrate" meaning holy. To desecrate something is to treat it in a way that "takes away its holiness," so to speak.

The general idea of the sentence is that nobody can find a direct relationship between the two events. That is, they could not ascertain how the correspond to each other. When two things correspond, they have a very close connection. You can think of them "responding to each other." For the second blank, all we can really say is that the scientists continued to work in hopes of discovering this relationship. Thus, the word "labor" is an excellent option for the second blank.

“Abase” means to hurt the pride of or degrade. “Destitution” means to be in utter poverty. "Placate," which means to stop from being angry, in conjunction with “want” seems to be a reasonable solution until we consider the part about how feudal lords “stepped on” medieval serfs. This leaves “abase . . . destitution” as the only correct answer.

“Equanimity” might seem like a word that would fit well with government planning, but it doesn’t work in this case since it refers to being balanced emotionally in times of stress. “Abeyance” means a temporary cease or halt to something. “Amended” means to alter by formal procedure. “Abeyance . . . amended” is the only correct answer.

If the answer choice with “neophytes” looks tempting, remember that “neo-” means new. A “neophyte” is a beginner, new to a particular activity, which is the same definition for a “tyro.” An “acolyte,” on the other hand, is a follower. “Abominate” means to regard with loathing. “Abominated . . . acolytes” is the correct response.

“Expurgation” means to purge or cleanse moral offensiveness, so it doesn’t really apply here. From the answer choices, there is only one combination that fits. “Ablution” is a washing of oneself for hygienic or religious purposes. “Disperse” means to scatter. “Ablution . . . dispersed” is the correct answer.

Since there is a sentence shift after the word “however,” we can assume that the general public normally don’t help afflicted animals who are homeless. “Demur” means to object or show reluctance. An “abscess” is an area of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. Together, these form the correct answer.

If tempted to pick “jettisoned,” know that its definition is cast aside or throw away. The key to selecting a word for the second blank is to read the entire sentence. If the former bank teller had left with an “astronomic” or “prodigious” amount of money, it would make sense that the story would be on national news. Since the act left people “scratching their heads,” the only correct answer must be “absconded . . . modicum.”