Based on the fact that the children are starving, the food that is being given out must be of a small quantity. To "dole" means to hand out in small quantities to a group of people. Additionally, "launched" means started or caused to fly long distances; "wrecked" means ruined, broken; "consumed" means eaten, used entirely; "toiled" means worked.

The speaker's friend is always trying to fight people, so he could best be described as aggressive, combative, hostile, or "pugnacious." Additionally, "portly" means fat; "brawny" means strong, muscular; "bashful" means shy, easily embarrassed; "possessive" means controlling, demanding someone's time and attention, acting like you own someone.

In this sentence you are told that the tidal wave caused most of the island to become "submerged" (under water). The wave must therefore have completely covered, flooded and overwhelmed the island. The correct answer is therefore "engulfed." To "engulf" means to swept over and completely surround or submerge. Additionally, "deluded" means tricked, lied to, deceived; "berated" means yelled at; "reinforced" means fortified, strengthened; "trounced" means completely defeated.

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices is a noun that describes a condition that people would want to flee their country in order to escape. The correct answer is therefore "persecution" which means oppression, ill treatment, violent treatment based on religious, political, or ethnic differences. Additionally, "assistance" means help; "malaise" means a general feeling of unhappiness and dissatisfaction; "omniscience" means all-knowing; "benevolence" means good nature, a desire to help others.

It makes sense that the refugees would feel hopeless if they could not find a home. The correct answer then is "despair" which means the complete lack of hope. Additionally, "liberated" means set free; "obsolete" means out-of-date, no longer useful; "joyful" means full of joy, very happy; "brash" means cocky, arrogant and bold.

You are told that the boy is small and that he cannot do something. Which of these answer choices is most likely to be difficult for a very small boy? The correct answer is " . . . see[ing] the movie."

To solve this problem you simply need to figure out which one of these answer choices matches with someone who was never in debt. "Debt" is money or favor owed to another person. So, if the subject was never in debt it makes sense that "He spent his money wisely . . . "

This pair of sentences use an intensification to make the point from the first to the second sentence. The bread in question is not merely firm, it is so solid that something cannot even be "poked" through it. This means that it cannot be penetrated. The adjective "impenetrable" means just this. An impenetrable barrier cannot be passed through at all.

This sentence indicates that the fire was decreasing in strength. It was becoming progressively less powerful and finally "went out" entirely. This means that it was totally extinguished. A fire extinguisher is a device that is used for completely putting out a fire. These words are related to the word "extinct". We most often use this word to describe species of animals that have totally died out. You can see how a fire that has "gone out" is "extinct" in its own way.

It seems that Brian is trying to manipulate the woman who is interviewing him by telling her these nice things. The sentence implies that he is doing it because he wants the job. When we tell someone kind and nice things so that we can get our way, we are said to "flatter" that person. (This option is better than "answered", which is really just a general word that would work for this sentence without being as good as "flatter.")