For the first blank, do not assume anything beyond the clues provided in the sentence. The river is only described as "winding through the mountains." We really do not know if it was wild or dangerous. Thus, the word "sinuous" is the best option. This word means bending or full of curves. Think of a sine wave from trigonometry—a continuously bending curve!

As for the second blank, it seems that Albert has a feeling of great respect for his ancestors. The closing interjection enforces this sense of appreciation. Otherwise, it would be tempting to read this second blank as expressing marvel. There is marvel involved in his reaction; however, the sense of appreciation should also be expressed in your choice of an answer. Hence, "reverence" is the best option among those provided.

The first blank needs to express the idea that the business never had enough money to pay back its creditors. Now, a number of the options describe businesses that are not very profitable. Even if a company is not greatly thriving, it may at least be "in the black"—that is, able to pay back its debts. If a company is "not solvent," it does not have the ability to pay back all of its debts. This is why the word "solvent" is better than the other options for the first blank.

As regards the second blank, the owner likely feared the arrival of his creditors, at least in the sense that they would "come" for the money. They could be aware of the debts and not actually request for them to be paid back. Once they came for the money, there would be trouble for the business owner. The word "advent" means arrival or coming. It comes from the Latin advenire, which is the source of the Christian season of Advent. "Advent" is the period just before Christmas. It is meant to prepare for the birth (i.e. the arrival) of Jesus of Nazareth.

"Anticipated" works because the following phrase describes the long wait for the album. "Excitement" also makes sense because the singer's fans were waiting for the album.

"Impetuous", meaning one in a rushed manner, describes the decisions of the coach that were made quickly. "Angered" makes sense because it describes the indignant players, and their reactions at not being included.

The word “but” indicates a sentence shift, meaning that the words in the blanks will carry contrasting connotations. Something “disreputable” lacks respect because it looks bad. As far as Greek gods are concerned, “ambrosia” is simply food. For us mortals, it is something that tastes or smells divine. “Disreputable . . . ambrosia” is the correct answer.

The fact that they couldn’t enjoy all of something and they had to leave early the next morning both provide clues about what choices could most aptly fit the second blank. “Amenities” are features that make life more comfortable or pleasurable. “Ephemeral” means something is fleeting or lasts only a short time. “Amenities . . . ephemeral” is the correct answer.

The two blanks are expressing opposite ideas (though the first is a noun and the second is an adjective). "Flexibility" is the key contextual clue. "Malleability" is a good synonym for "flexibility," while "intransigent" is an antonym.   

We are looking for two opposite ideas (a noun and an adjective) - "ebullience" and "morose" are the best fit, as "ebullience" describes "joyful" things, making it hard to stay "morose" or sad in affect.

The clues "smiling coworker" and "extol" (praise) tell us that Rhonda did something positive worthy of praise, which resulted in an "encomium" (formal speech of praise). We can infer that her cheeks grew red ("florid") from this attention.

Here were are looking for two related words—synonyms, but different parts of speech. Context clues tell us that the king was a coward, or someone who is "craven" (lacking courage) and expresses "pusillanimity" (cowardliness).