While "vacillate" and "oscillate" can both mean to waver, "vacillate . . . inherently" is correct because the second answer choice, “inherently,” makes more sense than “tacitly.” A quality that is "inherent" is one that is permanent and essential to something, in this case, to humankind. "Tacit" means that something is implied without being openly acknowledged.

The first word must be an adjective that describes something that you should not believe, and "tawdry" does just that because it means of little value or gaudy. The second word needs to be a verb that describes what tabloids do to sell print copies. "Manufactured" is the best choice here because it means to make up or invent in this context. None of the other answer choices make sense in the context of the sentence.

In this sentence, the first word must be an adjective that describes how a dictator would expect his subjects to be, and the second word must be a verb that refers to what a dictator would do to this opposition. "Obsequious" means submissive and servile, and "thwart" means to prevent or intervene against, so this is the word pair that best completes the sentence.

We can infer that Cindy believes even unlikely claims, so for the first blank, we're looking for an adjective that means something like "unsuspecting." Either "gullible" ("easily persuaded to believe something; credulous") or "credulous" ("having or showing too great a readiness to believe things") could work. For the second blank, we know that Cindy was tricked by the seller who sold her the gold-painted pendant, so we should pick out another verb that means something like "tricked." Either "swindled" ("deceived to deprive someone of money or possessions") or "deceived" ("to cause to believe what is not true; mislead") could work. Of the potential answers we've identified as potentially correct, only "gullible" and "swindled" appear in the same answer choice, so the answer is "gullible . . . swindled."

We can infer from the fact that the sentence is discussing a pickpocket that we need a verb for the first blank that means something like "steal." Of the possible answer choices, two mean "steal": "pilfer" and "nab." The second blank needs an adjective to describe the man that paid attention to his surroundings and did not have anything stolen, so we need an adjective that means something like "alert." Either "vigilant" ("keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties") or "attentive" ("paying close attention to something") could be correct. Of the four word we've identified as possibly correct answers, only two line up in a single answer choice: "pilfer" and "vigilant." So, "pilfer . . . vigilant" is the correct answer.

One way to solve multi-blank problems is to think of hypothetical words that could work in the blanks given. Here, the warrior couldn't see, so she did something in the first blank to her armor to improve her vision, described by the second blank. You can conclude that she improved her armor to improve her vision, therefore "enhanced" (improved) works better than "escalated" (increased in intensity).  

So, too, can you look at context for the second blank. She improved her previously something vision, and we know from the sentence that she previously couldn't see. Thus, we're looking for a word that means something like "blocked" here, and "abjured" (renounced) makes little sense, while "obscured" (made unclear or blocked) makes sense if the warrior previously could not see enough to fight. This makes the correct answer "enhanced . . . obscured."

The two blanks for this question are very closely related. They are best understood in terms of the overall change from grape to raisin. Raisins are dried grapes, so our first blank would best describe the process of drying; however, the option that gives "dried . . . unhealthy" is not acceptable, for we are not told anything that justifies the claim that they are unhealthy raisins. The word "desiccated" means dried. This works well, as does the word "shriveled," which ably describes the state of a dried fruit.

The expression "utterly humble himself before the monarch" the best clue for us to use to work out the first blank. If John had to act in this way before the king, he had to do more than merely bow or genuflect before him. Likely, he "groveled." That is, he likely begged in a completely servile manner before him. It seems also that he became used to an expensive lifestyle. This means that he became "accustomed" to it. This means something like "it became customary for him."

This question has a number of tempting wrong answers. Clearly, the pain in Hervaeus' leg is quite strong, for he is agonizing over it. Therefore, the best answer for that second blank is "intolerable." The word "finally" is our only clue for the first blank. It seems to hint that he finally dealt with the intolerable pain. This means that he attempted to make it less intolerable. When you "alleviate" something, you lessen its intensity. The related word "levity" means lightness of heart.

For the first choice, "genial," makes more sense than "humane" in dealing tactfully with a person you are trying to avoid trouble with. For the second choice, "fulminate," means to explode angrily.