The key phrase to focus on in this sentence to determine the first blank is "refusal to behave." Of the answer choices, only "stubborn" and "recalcitrant" fit. In the second blank, you have to consider what type of sense of humor would motivate a student to use a whoopee cushion. "Immature" comes to mind, and although it is one of the answer choices, it is paired with "austere," which does not fit in the first blank. Instead, we find "puerile," which also means immature. Thus, "recalcitrant" and "puerile" are the best fit for this sentence.

This question tests a reader's ability to not become distracted by flashier or more impressive sounding answer choices and focus solely on finding the words that best fit the sentence. "Abrasive" and "unseemly" are the only options that make sense in this context when paired together.

Note: "Trifling" and "fractious" individually might make sense here, but when considered together, they do not create a logical sentence. 

Context clues for the first blank include "meandered slowly" and "sleepy quality"; the river must be slow-moving ("torpid"). "Bucolic" is a synonym for the "rustic landscape."

The waiter "went above and beyond, anticipating the party's every need." In other words, he was "solicitous" (attentive and caring). The cuisine was described as "fit for the goods" or ambrosial. Don't be lured into "culinary" as an answer choice - "culinary cuisine" would be redundant. 

The main clue for the first blank is illegally copied, which is a perfect definition for "pirated." For the second blank, we're looking for something that means looks good (legitimate) on the outside but is not actually good ("would not play"). "Specious" is a good fit.

The key context clue here is "redundant." If the first draft was redundant, it must have had extra, unnecessary information; in other words, it was "superfluous." Once revised, the draft was briefer and to the point, or "succinct."

"Truthful," meaning always speaking honestly, works here because it describes the lawyer who never lies. "Deceitful," meaning not speaking honestly, works here because it describes the clients who try to lie to the lawyer.

"Tawdry," meaning showy but cheap, doesn't work to describe the lawyer, as no indications have been given about his physical appearance, invalidating the answer choice.

"Insensitive" doesn't work, as the lawyer has primarily been described as someone who tells the truth, invalidating the answer. 

"Almighty" doesn't work, as no indications have been given about the lawyer's power, invalidating the answer. 

"Unbelievable" doesn't work, as no indications have been given about the lawyer's believability, invalidating the answer.

Concerning the first blank: The context clues for this word are in the first clause, where the text indicates that the doctor's handwriting was impossible to read. Thus, in context, "inscrutable" (unable to be understood) makes much more sense than "remonstrate" (to protest and complain to someone). 

Concerning the second blank: In this sentence, we have a situation: the doctor's handwriting could not be read. And then, we have a consequence: the pharmacist nearly killed someone, and the doctor was forced to do something. Therefore, "theretofore" (up until that point or beforehand) makes no sense in context, as this is a "cause, effect" sentence, not "effect, cause" sentence. Thus, "as a result" is the correct choice.

Concerning the third blank: As a result of a doctor's bad handwriting, a patient almost died. Thus, you can conclude that the doctor was ordered to not write poorly anymore. Keeping that in mind, you have "careen" (move while swaying in an unstable fashion) and "improve" (get better).  Thus, the doctor was likely ordered to improve, not continue moving uncontrollably (perhaps his hand had originally careened?).

The clues here lead us to see that Peter has in mind several options that are short-term. While these solutions do not provide the final solution to his long-term goals, they do contribute to the accomplishment of such things. From the structure of the sentence, we can see that the first and the third blanks must be filled with words that are relatively similar in meaning. "Intermediary" and "temporary" are not exactly the same, but things that are only "in the middle" (i.e. intermediary) are not generally meant to last for the long-term. The general idea is that as time passes, these temporary solutions can set the stage for greater, more durable things in the future.

The closest incorrect answer is "gelatinous . . . puddles . . . encircle"; however, such gelatinous matter would not make "puddles." Clearly, however, the oatmeal is some kind of thick material. This is indicated by the clue latent in the language that states that it fell "reluctantly from the ladle" as well the explicit word "thick" used in the sentence. The word "viscous" describes a thick material that is neither fully solid nor liquid in its general characteristics. The related word "viscosity" represents a measure of such thickness. Such matter certainly would fall into little globules into the bowl.