The key word in this selection is the concessive "although." Ralph at least understands the motivations that could have led the president to take the course of action in question. The word "induce" literally means to lead into. Here, it takes on the meaning to bring about. "Condone" means accept in this sentence (though it can also mean permit).  Though Ralph did not think the action to be acceptable, he did at least understand its motivating causes.

Two of the wrong options tempt you to find a harsh form of scolding to contrast to the "mild treatment" that Aryeh believes that he sees. We are clearly looking for scolding, as is indicated in the last sentence. The best option is the pair that has "objurgate," for this word means to scold harshly. The word "inhibit" likewise works well for the second blank, for it means hinder or restrain. It is close enough to "prevent," which is the general sense of this blank.

The general idea of this sentence is that the facts did not condemn Peter, even though the jury seemed certain to reach a guilty verdict. The word "inculpate" is quite rare, but it fits rather well. It means to make to be guilty. When someone is "culpable," he or she is guilty, and a "culprit" is a guilty party. Thus, the facts failed to make him appear to be guilty, though he thought he would be judged to be so.

The word "blithely" means done in a casually cheerful manner. For this reason, it is unlikely that Raphael merely "slipped" the item out the window. (A blithe person would likely throw it without much care at all.) Also, do not be tricked by the word "tousled"—which is not "tossed"! To "tousle" someone's hair is to make it messy. By so obscuring the windshield of the driver behind him, he thus endangered the other driver's life. That is, he put him or her into peril—"imperiled" them!

Since “castigated” and “venerated” do not fit after “war crimes,” we can assume the answer to the first blank is somewhere along the lines of “committed.” Since the man is speaking out against the war crimes, the only plausible argument would be to give up the throne. “Committed . . . abdicate” is the only answer that fits.

There is a sentence shift in the first part of the sentence. We know that the first blank must have a definition very different from “applauded.” Due to “atrocious acts,” we can further deduce that the verb is along the lines of regarding with extreme aversion. Since these “atrocious acts” could in no way unify the two countries, “abhorred . . . estrange “ is the correct answer.

The first sentence gives us some context, but it is not absolutely necessary to determine the correct answers. If we plug in the answer choices, we find that only one of the choices make logical sense. When the drink-driving limit is low, most drivers abstain from drinking just to be on the safe side. “Abstain . . . reduced” is the correct answer.

A number of these options might be tempting if they are taken in the abstract away from the actual textual clues offered for the sentences in question. Notice, however, the straight-forward clues. The sentence is basically stating that it is difficult to "figure out" how we should "divide up" the resources to be distributed. This means that it is difficult to "ascertain" the way to "allocate" our resources. None of the other options address this direct meaning of the sentence. While it is may be necessary to scavenge, steward, regulate, or organize resources in a disaster, none of these really deal with how we "divide up" or "give out" resources.

The first blank hints at Nicholas's hope that he can "soften" or reduce his boss's concerns. Whenever we "mollify" something, we soften it or reduce its intensity. This word comes from Latin roots meaning soft. Substances that are called emollients help to soften things. Perhaps you have bought facial creams that do this.  Often, such a cream will be labeled as being an emollient. The second blank is hinted at by the phrase "obsequious words." Whenever we are "obsequious," we are very servile. Often, such an attitude hides a kind of flattery. This is what is being hinted at here. Hence, we need something better than "convince" or "persuade." The word "cajole" is best, for it indicates a kind of persuading that includes the idea of flattery.

Although words like "suggest," "propose," and even "discuss" might seem proper, these are not the best options among those provided here. The fact that Ella is saying negative things is better described by the word "insinuate."  When we insinuate something, we suggest that something negative might be true. This is what she is doing about her fellow workers. Now, as regards the second blank, she might be trying to overstate her status in the company. Since she is aiming to get a promotion, we could say that she is just trying to improve her position. When we "bolster" something, we strengthen it. This is the best option among those provided at least, for it is closest to "improve."