The sentence describes the novel's effects on later writers, calling it an "inspiration." This means the correct answer will show the novel was path breaking and influential. "Seminal," meaning essential and formative, is the best choice among the answers.

The "hungry men" are looking at "the large and diverse meal options."  As the correct answer describes how they view the meal choices, it must reflect the fact that they would be amazed and happy with the options. "Agog," meaning wide-eyed with enthusiasm and wonder, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence explicitly notes that the church is attempting "to avoid one large sum." The correct answer must indicate many payments or a lesser payment.  "Amortized," meaning to pay off debts in small, regular increments, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence explains that the "evil queen" was almost too strong of a villain, and became a "caricature." This means the correct word should indicate a strong sense of evil. "Malevolent," meaning nefarious and extremly bad, is the best choice among the answers.

The man's "charm and affability" in person are contrasted with the way he looks in photos, described by the missing word. The young man is therefore neither charming nor interesting in photographs. "Unprepossessing," meaning unattractive and off putting, is the correct answer.

The sentence describes that the politician "did not want to commit himself." The correct answer will reinforce this trait and show the politician is not being clear. "Equivocal," meaning ambiguous or open to interpretation, is the best choice among the answers.

The "brilliant professor" has one thing which indicates the missing word: that he is "often late." The correct answer will indicate that the professor is not always perfect. "Fallible," meaning capable of making mistakes or being wrong, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence details that "few people believed her when she was actually serious." This indicates that the correct answer will mean joking or unserious. "Facetious," meaning flippant or sarcastic, is the best choice among the answers.

The boy is being "kicked out of school," indicating the behavior is not what the school would deem appropriate. The correct answer needs to indicate his poor behavior. "Indecorous," meaning inappropriate or unseemly, is the best choice among the answers.

The subject's emotions "explode out of him" only after the "cutting remark" from his mother. This indicates the emotions were not well shown before the remark. "Dormant," meaning laying inactive or not above the surface, is the correct answer choice.