To begin with "parched" means thirsty, needing water. So, if the plant looked like it did not have enough water it makes sense that the subject would feel the need to water it. The correct answer is therefore " . . . so she poured water on it."

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these answers contains words that might be used to describe mountains. The correct answer is therefore " . . . a timeless and daunting quality." "Timeless" means eternal, lasting forever and "daunting" means impressive. Additionally, "miniscule" means tiny; "stingy" and "parsimonious" mean not generous with money; "fecund" means fertile, capable of producing a lot of food; "pliant" means flexible, bendy. 

You are told that the girl "made more mature friends." The word "mature" means grown-up, behaving like an adult. So, you are looking for a reason why someone might look for more grown-up friends. The correct answer is therefore "She found her old friends juvenile . . . " Juvenile means childish, immature, behaving like a child. 

To solve this problem you need to determine which of these is a reason why someone would need to bring a jacket. The correct answer is therefore "It is frigid outside . . . " "Frigid" means very cold. Additionally, "stifling" means uncomfortably hot. 

"Fables" are stories meant to give some sort of lesson, usually a moral lesson. So, to solve this problem you have to determine which of these answers is a positive result of reading fables to children. The correct answer is " . . . they teach valuable lessons." 

To begin with "authority" means power, so the "authorities" are people in power. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these might get someone in trouble with people in power. The correct answer is therefore "His nonconformist beliefs . . . " Someone who is a "nonconformist" does not follow the rules. All the other answer choices are positive attributes that would be unlikely to land someone in trouble. Additionally, "industrious" means hard-working; "charming" means pleasing, agreeable, delightful; "dashing" means attractive and charming; someone's "demeanor" is the way they carry themselves, how they act and behave. 

To solve this problem you need to know the definition of "boisterous" and "rowdy." "Boisterous" means noisy and full of energy, cheerful and lively and "rowdy" means noisy and out of control. So, if the babysitter had two small children who were hard to control and noisy she would most likely have " . . . tried to calm them down." The other answer choices reflect actions the babysitter might have taken if the boys had been "tranquil" (calm) or "serene" (peaceful). 

To begin with "hilarious" means very funny. So, if the audience found the comedian very funny which of these answer choices represents their most likely reaction? The correct answer is " . . . applauded him warmly." "Applauded" means clapped and "warmly" means done with kindness and affection. Additionally, "jeered" means booed, shouted abused at; "mocked" means made fun of. As you can see, all the other answer choices are negative and would be reactions to a bad performance in which the comedian was not hilarious. 

To solve this problem you first need to know that "declined" means decreased, went down, diminished. So, if the old man's health "declined" or got worse he would be most likely be taken " . . . to the hospital." Additionally, "inherit" means be given money or property after someone dies; a "fortune" is a large sum of money; "permitted" means allowed. 

To solve this problem you first need to know that "neglected" means failed to do, ignored a responsibility. So, if the speaker failed to eat properly what consequence (result) could they expect? The correct answer is " . . . now I have become sick." Additionally, "improved" means got better; "excelled" means did very well; "benefits" means positive outcomes, things that help.