In this sentence, it seems that Ronald has a preference for warm wine. A "predilection" is such a preference. The word comes from Latin roots meaning to choose beforehand. It is related to the word “election,” though the roots are slightly distinct. Ronald’s preference for warm wine could be called a “predilection” as well as a “penchant,” but the word “opting” well describes his action of allowing his friend to have the warm wine. In contrast, the word “rejected” really is the opposite of what is needed!

Likely, Thomas is depressed and angry at this news. Perhaps, even, he has become a bit manic, but we need to pay close attention to the clues given in the sentence. He is described as lacking energy after receiving the news. It would be difficult to read the final clause in any manner than that. Thus, “expend” is a good option, as it means to spend, usually “to spend completely.” Lacking energy in this manner, we can describe Thomas as being “lethargic.” The actual lack of energy is called “lethargy.”  Since this word best describes the state of someone who lacks energy, it is the best option among those provided here.

The company is in a bad situation. It is not something illegal or even something that indecent. It is just one of those “sticky” situations that we find very difficult to extricate ourselves from. Whenever someone is in a “predicament,” he or she is in a difficult situation, often one that is a bit unpleasant. Clearly, this is the situation for the company here. Now, the company is going to have to raise money to get out of this situation. In non-technical terms, it will need to sell its assets in order to pay off the debts. Whenever we “liquidate” assets, we convert them into cash (usually by sale of some kind) in order to free up their value for other uses. Clearly, the word is related to “liquid” in the physical sense, for liquidated assets are able to “flow” more readily given that they are converted into cash (or a cash equivalent).

It is easier to find the first blank for this sentence, as it is clearly a synonym to "flattery." "Blandishments" are acts of flattery, often used in an attempt to sway someone's opinion one way or the other. Hence, for the second blank, you are looking for something that means, in general, "sway" or "influence." The former is offered as an option, making it the best choice among those provided.

From the details provided in the sentence, we can tell that the lawyers want the school to be strict and not allow any possible mercy for breaking rules. Whenever something is "stringent," it is precise or strict. It is related not only to the word "strict" but also "restrict" and "astringent." The latter is something that causes flesh (or tissue in general) to become tighter. An "infraction" is a breaking of the rules. It is related to the Latin "frangere," meaning to break. This is clearly the root of our English word "fracture."

Although we could say much about this politician, it is probably best to stay close to the sentence! It is said that he uses half-truths to appear to know more than he actually does know. This kind of false reasoning is called "sophistry." In ancient and medieval logic, there was much discussion of "sophistical reasoning." This is the kind of reasoning that appears to be true when it really is not. The implication is that the voters could "see through" this sophistry, meaning that they could easily detect it when it did happen.

The best clue in this sentence is the word "fail." The young man's anger apparently caused him to fail at achieving any of his goals or intentions. "Aspirations" are hopes or dreams. The word comes from the Latin roots for "hope," namely spes. This is a decent synonym for "intentions." Whenever something prevents or destroys the possibility of someone achieving something good, that person has his or her's good intentions "vitiated." This is what the young man's anger did.

Clearly, the second blank is looking for something like tricked, fooled, or deceived. The idea is that the statue was so crafted that it fooled the viewer into thinking that it was larger than it actually was. An "artifice" is a kind of crafting that involves the general intention to deceive. That is, it is not only about making an artifact but, instead, includes this further intention.

It is likely tempting to choose several of the wrong options for the first blank in this sentence. The important thing to note is that Aaron constantly objects about topics that are discussed. Whenever someone "cavils at" a topic, he or she makes constant objections, often ones that are quite minute and unimportant. It comes from roots meaning "mockery," so you can think of such objections as a kind of mocking (by means of annoying and petty little questions).

As regards the people to whom he is talking, "interlocutors" is a fine word. It merely means those among whom one is talking! The "-locutor" portion of the word is from the Latin loquor meaning to speak. It is the base for many words, including "eloquent," "colloquial," and "colloquy."

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.