We can infer that because Joanna felt that the novel that she was reading "deserved her complete attention," it must have been pretty interesting. So, we need to pick out an adjective to describe it that means something like "interesting." "Tedious" cannot be the correct answer, then, because "tedious" means "too long, slow, or dull: tiresome or monotonous," making it an antonym of the word we're looking for. "Gripping," however, when used as an adjective, means "firmly holding the attention or interest; exciting," and because "gripping" best describes a novel that to which one would want to devote all of one's attention, "gripping" is the correct answer.

The word we are looking for is one that would explain why the author cannot be identified. The correct answer choice is "anonymous," which means not identifiable by name. Since the author did not use his name, "no one would be able to identify him." None of the other answer choices would make sense in the blank: "apathetic" means not showing emotion; "blatant" means obvious; "controversial" describes an issue that will lead to public disagreement; and "solitary" means alone.

From the context of the sentence, you know that the action carried out by the knight was "done without fear." This suggests that the answer choice must mean something like “brave” or “bold.” This should lead you to pick the word “valiant,” which means brave or honorable. This is also a word often used to describe “knights,” which is an additional clue. The word “slender” means thin or skinny and the word “miniature” means very small.

Because the boy "rarely acted his age and couldn't be trusted to be home on time" (at least according to his mother), you know that the word that goes in the blank is likely to be a word meaning grown up or responsible. The correct answer is therefore “mature,” which means able to be trusted with adult responsibilities.

The children are late for school and their mother can't find her car keys, so it makes sense that the mother would be feeling anxious. This should lead you to the correct answer, which is “frantic.” The word “content” means happy with things as they are; someone who is “thoughtful” is kind and thinks about other people; and “humble” means not boastful about your skills.

In this sentence, we know that Eleanor wants her soccer team to score a goal, and that she feels something similar to "aggressive," which precedes the conjunction "and." Therefore, the correct answer will be similar to "aggressive." Here, the most similar word to "aggressive" is "competitive," which is therefore the correct answer.

In this sentence, increasing the salt of the soup will increase how salty its taste is. As a result, the increased salt will make that salty taste more "intense." "Intense" means to be very strong or overt in a particular quality. Therefore, "intense" is the correct answer.

"Punctual" means always on time. Given that the sentence describes Lauren as always arriving at the appropriate time for her meetings, "punctual" is the best word that can be used to complete this sentence, given the answer choices.

Quasimodo is described as having a deformed face, an ugly eye, and a hunch in his back. These descriptors indicate that he is extremely unattractive. The blank in the sentence should be a word that conveys this information. "Grotesque" means very ugly in appearance. Therefore, it is the best word that can be used to complete the sentence.

When someone is made to feel afraid of another person because of that person's power, the best word descriptor is "intimidated." Given that the students feel afraid of the professor's knowledge (and his tendency to use that knowledge to correct them in ways that make them feel insignificant), "intimidated" is the best answer choice.