The sentence notes certain students are left "behind," due to certain performance standards. This means the correct answer will indicate something that is cut out from the larger group. "Dross," meaning the impurities left after refining and here used metaphorically, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence indicates the author is both looked down on by "the literary elite" and only sought what "made him money." This indicates that the author was viewed as amateurish and seeking the work that was best financially for him. "Hack," meaning a person who writes whatever makes money despite the level of quality, is the correct answer choice.

"Screaming and stomping" are not things which help "working with small children." Since the subject has a problem "working with small children," the correct word needs to indicate she is "screaming and stomping." "Propensity," meaning a tendency or inclination, is the best choice among the answers.

"Easting too much between meals" is a problem for the subject, but is not a large problem.  The correct answer should reflect this scale (which rules out debacles and debacles).  "Foibles," meaning minor weaknesses or tendencies, is the best choice among the answers.

The "General's right hand man" is described as having "never challenged" the General.  The correct answer will demonstrate that the right hand man is either unwilling or unable to take on his boss. "Toady," meaning a sycophant or flatterer, is the best choice among the answers.

The subject has a "well-earned reputation for embellishing facts."  Since the sentence questions the missing word, then the correct answer needs to indicate truthfulness or factuality, the definition of "veracity."

The sentence comments that the subject "usually had a friendly relationship with the press."  Therefore, a "surprising" tone would be unfriendly and even antagonizing to a reporter.  "Asperity," meaning harshness or severity, is the correct answer choice.

The sentence explicitly references "made up words."  While all the answer choices deal with words and expressions in some ways, only "malapropisms," meaning incorrect but similar sounding words, will fit appropriately in the sentence.

The sentence notes the poet appreciates when readers "did not understand his work." This means the correct answer will demonstrate an inability to comprehend or analyze the poet's work. "Inscrutability," meaning mysteriousness or incomprehensibility, is the best choice among the answers.

The "young puppy" is hoping to "take on the largest member of his litter."  This indicates the "young puppy" is doing something foolish, brave, or some combination of both. "Pluck," meaning courage and determination, is the correct answer choice.