The use of the conjunction "but" suggests that even though the author does not usually do something, today he will do differently. This is because the conjunction "but" changes the meaning of a sentence to something opposite or surprising. So, the correct answer is " . . . today I will make an exception." An "exception" is something left out of a rule or general practice. The other answer choices are either completely nonsensical or else would be better suited to the conjunction "and" which continues the same meaning in a sentence.

To solve this problem you need to figure out what might logically happen before someone "hires" (gives a job to) the speaker. The correct answer is therefore "The manager quit . . . " because this would give someone a reason to hire the speaker. All the other answer choices do not logically make sense within the context of the sentence. Additionally, "belongings" are possessions, things that are owned; "hostile" means aggressive. 

The use of the word "still" suggests that the subject might not be expected to be "generous" (giving) with her money. This matches with the conjunction "although." So, the correct answer is "Although she is very poor . . . " "Although" means something like even though, in spite of. "Although" is a very hard word to define so let us look at another two examples - "Although I am hungry, I refuse to eat" and "Although I know he loves me, I can't remember the last time he showed it." Additionally, "pious" means devout, holy, devoted to religion.

To begin with "outbreak" means the sudden beginning of something. So, war suddenly began, which of these answer choices is related to this context? The correct answer is "He joined the army . . . " The other answer choices either don't relate to war or suggest the end of a war.

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these actions is something some might do to help themselves to think more clearly. If someone was in pain they might not be able to think clearly, so the correct answer is "She dulled the pain . . . " "Dulled" means lessened, reduced, made less intense. All the other answer choices refer to things that would most likely make it more difficult for someone to think clearly. Additionally, "crowded" means packed, full of people; "reprimanded" means yelled at, scolded, punished.

The use of the semi-colon tells you that the information contained in the second half of the sentence must support the information in the first half of the sentence. If the speaker has never seem someone so talented, it makes sense that she would be born to it. This means something like "she has a natural talent" for it. The other answer choices are either nonsensical or else describe someone who does not seem very talented. Additionally, "fortunate" means lucky; "talented" means skilled at.

The use of the conjunction "yet" suggests that the information in the second part of the sentence will somehow contradict the information in the first part of the sentence. A "miser" is someone who is not generous with money, someone who is stingy. So, the correct answer is " . . . he has so much money" because this reflects the contradiction implied by "yet." All the other answer choices would either be better suited to the conjunction "and" or else are completely unrelated. Additionally, "generous" means giving; a "donation" is something given (to charity).

To solve this problem you first need to know that to "contrast" means to differ from. A "contrast" is a difference. So, to solve this problem you need to look for the answer choice that relates to some difference between the two. The correct answer is therefore " . . . the differences in our training." The other answer choices either express a reason for a similarity or else are nonsensical. Additionally, "likeness" means similarity, something in common; "upbringing" is the teaching and care received as a child; "acuity" means sharpness, intelligence; "undeniable" means unable to be denied. 

To solve this problem you first need to know that a "sack" is the complete destruction of a city by an army. So, naturally, such an event would have " . . . led to many deaths." The other answer choices do not make sense in this context. Additionally, "improved" means made better; "tranquil" means calm; "immediate" means happening right away, happening without delay; "inhabitants" are people who live somewhere; "enriched" means made richer.

To solve this problem you first need to know that "parted" means separated, went different ways. So, if the clouds moved apart which of these answer choices would be the most likely result? The correct answer is " . . . the sun shone through." The other answer choices all suggest things that might happen if there were more clouds in the sky.