The implication is that the scholar questions the normal interpretation of the text. It seems that most people misunderstand the text's true meaning. Therefore, the word "debated" is fine, for it can indicate how someone considers both sides of a question (even without outwardly debating in public). Whenever something is misconstrued, it is not understood adequately.

This sentence indicates that it is talking about the Jewish people being hidden. Therefore, the first blank should be a synonym for "hidden." We really should not infer anything else about their attitude or situation based on the clues. The word "sequestered" means hidden away somewhere. Hence, it fits well! The people in question must be courageous because they are risking their lives. The word "imperiled" means to put into danger. These courageous people are called courageous precisely because they have so put their lives into danger in this manner.

Stay as close to the clues in this sentence as is possible. The candidate is apparently surprised at the treatment because he is used to being treated differently than this. The surprise is what is key here. Thus, the simple "shocked" is the best answer for the first blank. For the second blank, you are looking for something that explicitly describes a rude kind of action. Whenever someone is pilloried, he or she is attacked or derided publicly. The word "pillory" can also be used as a noun to describe the kind of wooden apparatus that people would be locked in so that they could be derided in public for some offense.

For this question, it is probably best to begin with the first blank, using a process of elimination. To "fulminate" is to protest against something. It doesn't make sense to say that the king should do this. To "relegate" something or someone is to put it (or him/her) at a lower level of dignity. This is really not what is being demanded of the king. It doesn't make sense that he would lower his sovereignty. Likewise, "delegation" of the sovereignty would be giving it to someone else. The sentence does not indicate this either. Instead, it seems that the people want the king to step down. Indeed, this is what is meant by "abdicate." Hence, it is the best option for the first blank. When the king did not step down, it would make sense that the people would try to take him out of office forcefully. Hence, the word "depose" works well.

By following the language of the sentence, you can see that this sentence is employing a metaphor. The swinging cane is knocking off the "heads" of the flowers. The flower portion is said to have "crowned" the flowers. Thus, the word "decapitated" is the best option, as it means to take off the head. The "-capitated" portion is from the Latin for head. It is actually the source of our word "chapter", which indicates an abbreviated "heading" of a given set of text. The stems were just left to "live on." Hence "endure" is a good option for the second blank.

The answer choice with “eschew” might look reasonable. Given the context, however, it doesn’t quite fit that the martyrs were told shun their faith, the way you might avoid something morally wrong. “Exculpate” means to pardon, which could make sense if the martyrs had done something against church doctrine in the past. “Canonize” in this case means to declare a dead person to be a saint, and “abjure” means to swear off. These two form the correct answer.

From the general contextual clues in the sentence, it seems that the mother is trying to encourage her daughter to gain good eating habits. Thus, she is trying to instill good habits into her or to "inculcate" them. The roots of this word literally mean to press into [as though with your heel]. It is related to "recalcitrant," meaning unwilling—as though someone were to "kick out his or her heels" to prevent himself or herself from moving. Of course, the word "inculcate" can be used for much more than mere physical "smashing"! The first blank is a synonym for "encouraged", and for this word, the best option is "enjoined", which actually communicates the idea of urging someone to do something—as is likely the case with a parent to a child like this.

This sentence is relatively straight-forward in its meaning.  The mountain's destruction apparently removed the need for a road to pass over its slopes. The word "obviate" means to remove something that is causing a difficulty. Interestingly, it comes from roots meaning to prevent, and sometimes, it is used in this sense, as when we say, "The shield obviated the danger of the incoming arrows." Something that is "ob-via" is "in the way." (You can see the word "via" in here, coming from the Latin for "road.") To "prevent" something is to remove its possibility or to hinder its possibility. You can think of obviating as removing the possibility of something difficult or negative. Hence, we can see how the "prevent" roots are at least related to the meaning to remove a difficulty.

The word "traverse" means to pass over. This is an excellent match for the second blank.

“Eschew” means to avoid, so this word does not work given the context. “Apprise” means to inform. “Adulterate” means to debase. “Accommodate” has several definitions, one of which is to do a kindness or a favor for someone else. “Imbibe” is just another word for to drink. “Accommodate . . . imbibe” is our correct answer.

“Embraced” and “regaled” is not consistent with “intruding on his privacy.” To “relegate” means to assign to a lower position. To “accost” is to approach and speak aggressively to a person. To “berate” is to cut someone down with words. “Accosted . . . berated” is the correct answer.