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.

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answer choices makes sense as information to follow the author's statement that the subject "swims like a fish." Someone, who swims very well could be said to be " . . . skillfully gliding through the water" so this is the correct answer. "Skillfully" means done with skill and "gliding" means moving smoothly through something. Many of the incorrect answers contain illogical conjunctions or else suggest that the subject is not actually a good swimmer, which does not make sense within this context.

The use of the conjunction "but" suggests that whatever the speaker is trying to do they are not succeeding. So, they are trying to find a new place to live, but " . . . it is difficult." All the other answer choices are either nonsensical or are positive and inappropriate for the conjunction "but."

All of these answer choices would fit better with the conjunction "but" except the correct answer which is " . . . I love to dance." The conjunction "and" is used to mean a continuation of the same idea; the conjunction "but" is used to suggest a change in the main idea of a sentence.

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these conjunctions makes most sense within the context of this sentence. The only conjunction that makes sense is "nor." You use the word "nor" when you have a list of multiple negative things. Like, for example "On a sunny day it is not raining nor is it snowing." All of the other conjunctions make the sentence either illogical or nonsensical.