If someone is obedient and goes along with the wishes of others, they are not abnormal or different. To be correct, the two words must agree with one another. “Agnostic” means to be doubtful or noncommittal about something. “Anomaly” refers to someone or something that is abnormal. “Agnostic . . . anomaly” is the best response.

A “sinecure” is a cushy job (often political) that requires very little work. This type of job would be hard to find in a farming community. “Agrarian” means that something is related to rural land and farming. A “subsidy” refers to financial assistance from the government to an undertaking that supports the general public. “Agrarian . . . subsidies” is the correct answer.

“Indulgent” means lenient or very generous. When someone is “avuncular,” they are like an uncle, more specifically in being kind and indulgent. If an adviser took the time to have a “lively discussion,” then these choices are fitting candidates. “Alacrity” refers to cheerful promptness. “Avuncular . . . alacrity” is the correct answer.

“Alimony” is money paid by one spouse to another to cover basic expenses, as ordered by the court. “Emollient” refers to something that soothes. When someone is “insouciant,” they are free from concern or anxiety — pretty much the opposite of the word we want for the first blank. “Incumbent” means it is mandatory as a responsibility. “Incumbent . . . alimony” is the correct answer.

"Oblivious" works because it is an adjective that describes the lack of knowledge of the dog--no other options really work in that case. "Kismet" is harder to derive, but echoes how dire the situation may have otherwise been unless the dog were fated to survive.

The other answer choices don't work for the following reasons.

"Wise" doesn't work because the dog is immediately described as "unwise" in the following phrase.

"Stupid" seems like it may work to describe the unwise dog, but the word "fire" accompanying it doesn't fit the context of the sentence as a cause for the dog to move out of the way.

"Clever" doesn't work because the dog is immediately described as being unwise in the following phrase.

"Innocuous," meaning harmless, doesn't fit the context of the unwise dog moving out of the way.

"Sheepish," meaning demonstrating embarrassment, also doesn't fit in describing the dog.

“Cadence” refers to the rhythm of the sound, and it would be a possible solution if “fetid” didn’t mean stinky. Similarly, “malodorous” means something has an unpleasant smell; note the difference between it and “melodious,” which is used to describe something that sounds like music. “Congruous” means appropriate or harmonious together. “Alliteration” refers to using the same sound at the beginning. “Congruous . . . alliteration” is the best answer.

The first blank is a little tough. It’s common to mix up “allusions” with “illusions” or “inference.” An “allusion” is an indirect reference to something— a definition that fits quite nicely. An “illusion” is a trick or deception. An “inference” is a conclusion drawn from sorting out the evidence. To be “engrossed” in something is to focus all of your attention. “Allusions . . . engrossed” is the correct answer.

There’s a right and wrong way to do things, at least insofar as a “scrupulous” person or group of people are concerned. “Scrupulous” means doing things carefully, properly, and precisely. It is hardly the word to follow “disorderly.” It is highly unlikely that a separation of two schools could make the halls and classrooms “congested.” “Amalgamation” refers to merging two or more things. “Amalgamation . . . muddled” is the correct answer.

Since there is a sentence shift, we can assume the word in the first blank has the opposite feel as the word in the second blank. For example, “innocuous” means harmless, and “amity” means friendship— these two meanings both have an easy, positive vibe, which means they are not the pair for which we are looking. “Innocuous” means something is not likely to hurt or offend. “Altercation” is a noisy fight. “Innocuous . . . altercation” is the correct answer.

The first blank should describe some kind of very horrible penalization—some kind of utter condemnation. The word "perdition" comes from the religious idea of being condemned for all eternity to hell. Though it is a bit overstated, it does capture the sense that this sentence is attempting to convey. Apparently Boniface's jury condemned him in this kind of absolute manner.

Now, as regards the jury, we really only know that they are unpitying. There may be other character traits for them, but we cannot say anything about those based on the clues provided here. Hence, the best option is the synonym for "unpitying," namely, "ruthless."