We can infer that because the sentence is specifically discussing reptiles that "liv[e] in the deserts of the southwest United States," that the "heat" in that environment is extreme. So, we need to pick out an adjective to describe the intense heat one experiences in the desert. "Brisk" may look like a potentially correct answer because it can be used to describe weather, but "brisk" actually means "cold but fresh and enlivening" when it is used to describe the weather or wind. So, "brisk" cannot be the correct answer because we need a word to describe the desert's intense heat. "Sweltering," however, is an adjective that means "uncomfortably hot," and because "sweltering" is the answer choice that best describes the intense heat one experiences in the deserts in the southwest United States," "sweltering" is the correct answer."

Because we know that Jenna "[did] not [stop] for any distractions or tak[e] any unnecessary breaks" while working on her project, we can infer that we need to pick out a word that means something like "with dedication, effort, and attention" to describe the way she worked. "Distractedly" cannot be the correct answer because we know that Jenna did not stop "for any distractions," and neither "lazily" nor "wearily" can be correct either because neither of those words mean "with dedication, effort, and attention." "Industriously," however, means "diligently" or "characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort : painstaking," so "industriously" is the correct answer because it best fits the sentence's context.

If the student refused to complete their classwork, it means that they were defiant or resistant.

Because we know that Lydia "almost forgot to go to lunch and asked to stay inside during recess to read," we can infer that we need to pick out a word that means something like "very interesting" to describe the book she's reading. "Meticulous" may look like a good answer choice because "meticulous" means "showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise," but while Lydia may very well be reading meticulously, "meticulous" does not mean the same thing as "very interesting," so it cannot be the correct answer. "Engrossing," however, when used as an adjective, means "absorbing all one's attention or interest," and is the correct answer because it makes the most sense in the sentence's context.

Because we know that the snakes that mimic the poisonous species get predators to "[believe] them to be dangerous when they are not," we can infer that we need to pick out an answer choice which is an adjective and means something like "not dangerous." So, neither "lethal" or "deadly" can be the correct answer because each of those words means "dangerous"—specifically, something so dangerous it can kill something or someone—and we need to pick out a word that means "not dangerous." "Harmless," an adjective that means "not able or likely to cause harm" or "inoffensive," best fits the sentence's context, so it is the correct answer.

We know that the art historian was able to "carefully [review]" a painting and "discern whether it was authentic or a fake" due to her "insight"; so, we need to pick out a word that means something like "discerning." "Dull" can't be the correct answer, then, because when "dull" is used to describe a person, it means "slow to understand; stupid," a description which does not fit the art historian. "Insightful," however, is an adjective that means "having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive," and because it is the answer choice that best describes the art historian and best fits the context of the sentence, "insightful" is the correct answer.

We can infer that we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "disgusting" or "gross" and can refer to scents because the sentence is describing the smell of rotting garbage. "Enjoyable," then, cannot be the correct answer, because the smell of rotting garbage is typically perceived by most people as gross, not enjoyable. "Putrid," however, is an adjective that means either "decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell" when referring to organic matter, or "of or characteristic of rotting matter," or, informally, "very unpleasant; repulsive." Because "putrid" is the answer choice that best describes the smell of the rotting garbage, "putrid" is the correct answer.

"Ecstatic," "jubilant," and "blissful" all mean happy, and "forlorn" means sad. After months of practice, it would make sense that Julie would feel sad not to make the softbal team, so "forlorn" is the correct answer.

We can infer that Francine should feel warm and cozy because she was "[w]rapped in a large scarf, a pair of thick mittens, a wool coat, thick boots, and a warm hat" on her walk home. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "warm and cozy." "Exposed" cannot be the correct answer, then, because being wrapped in all that winter gear, it wouldn't make sense for Francine to feel exposed, or "not shielded or protected; also : not insulated." "Snug," however, is an adjective that means "comfortable, warm, and cozy; well protected from the weather or cold," and because "snug" best describes Francine on her walk home in her scarf, mittens, coat, boots, and hat, "snug" is the correct answer.

We can infer that Tom considered it lucky “that it did not rain when he had to ride his bicycle home from school” even though the weather forecast predicted rain. So, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like “lucky.” That means that “unlucky” cannot be the correct answer, because it would not make sense in the blank—it would not make sense for Tom to consider it unlucky that he did not have to bike home in the rain. “Fortunate,” however, is an adjective that can mean “lucky,” and because “fortunate” best fits the context of the sentence, “fortunate” is the correct answer.