Clearly, from the sentence's own words, the storm did cause damage. It seems, however, that it did not cause a lot of damage, such as to really prevent travel in the area. Hence, the word "havoc" is the best option among those provided, as it expresses this idea of causing a lot of damage, not merely some damage. The second blank is completed well by the word "hamper," meaning to obstruct or make more difficult.

The most basic meaning of the sentence is the best one for this question. Mark does not seem to have been open to the proposal at first. When someone is "amenable," he or she is willing to go along with something that is proposed to him or her.  Eventually, it seems that Mark "gave in," however. The word "acquiesced" comes from the same root as "quiet." Someone who "acquiesces" can be said to go in quietly—to give in to the proposal in the case of this sentence.

The backlash made by the presidential supporters implies that something bad or denigrating had been written about the candidate. Therefore, we can cross “veracity” and “rectitude” off the list. To “allege” is to accuse without proof, and “malfeasance” means wrongful behavior by a public official. These two form the correct response.

"Stability" makes since for the first answer, because the word "chaos" indicates that whatever is in flux must be the opposite of this word. The word "assert" makes sense as the verb choice, because the other verb choices doesn't make sense in the context of the blank.

If “aesthete” sounds like a plausible choice, know that it refers to a person who has a great love of art. “Aesthetic” is a similar word, which concerns the appreciation of beauty. An “adherent” is a supporter. To “amalgamate” means to mix or merge. “Adherent . . . amalgamated” is the correct response.

“Ribaldry” is being indecent or vulgar. A “gaffe” is a mistake made in front of others. Neither of these words fit in the second blank. “Perpetuated” and “protracted” suggests that they lengthened the amount of time the meeting took, which would have been an unwise decision. “Decorum” is proper behavior. “Adjourned . . . decorum” is the correct answer.

To “truncate” means to shorten, which does not make sense given the context. If he was always thinking ahead, it’s only logical that he would save his hours for vacation in case he needed them sometime in the future. To “accrue” means to grow in value or size. A “buffer” is something that protects against annoyance or harm. Together, these form the correct answer.

“Mitigate . . . inauguration” is not a bad choice. “Mitigate” means to make milder or to lessen the force or influence; however, the word choice of “significant” and reference to the “printing press” implies that this will be a greater development than to simply “mitigate.” This will be revolutionary. It will take over. Thus, “supplant . . . advent” is the best answer.

“Cajole” and “wheedle” refer to influencing or persuading someone by flattery — neither of which are the word we want, given the context. For the first blank, it would seem likely that his allies are not looking down on his stature, especially considering that “he was a crowd favorite.” “Adversaries . . . derided” is the correct answer.

"Volcano" is the only word that makes sense in context, as the following clause discusses the raining down of fire, which is a thing that pretty much only volcanoes, of the objects given in the answers, do. No other nouns fit there. "Incinerated" fits as the following word, as the previous clause discusses the raining of fire, and the following clause discusses the fortune that everyone escaped.