The researchers carried out their work for several years before they found the answer they were looking for. Based on this intensity it makes sense to use the adjective "diligent" to describe their work. "Diligent" means having great care for one's work, showing great effort in one's work, industrious, painstaking. Additionally, "rural" means related to the countryside not towns and cities; "reckless" means careless, dangerous; "irksome" means annoying, irritating; "jittery" means nervous, shaky. 

Based on the context of this sentence the parents could probably best be described as careful, alert, mindful of possible dangers. So, the correct answer is "cautious." To be "cautious" means to not task risks, to be concerned with safety, to be very careful. Additionally, "chubby" means a little fat; "quaint" means old-fashioned and somewhat appealing; "wry" means ironic, witty, funny and sarcastic; "wretched" means in a very poor condition, miserable. 

If the man did notice when his phone rang then he must have been paying very close attention to the movie and been completely engaged by it. To solve this problem you need to identify a verb that matches with this intensity. The correct answer is therefore "engrossed." To be "engrossed" means to be completely absorbed in something, to be riveted, to give all of one's attention to one thing. Additionally, "concealed" means hidden; "unveiled" means revealed, shown; "enlisted" means joined, as in joined a group, most commonly it means joined the army; "abridged" means edited and shortened. 

Based on the context of this sentence the verb must relate to some action that a decorator might do to a room. The correct answer is therefore "refurbish" which means (of a building or room) to redo something, to renovate something, to make changes to design and furniture. Additionally, "recall" means remember, bring to mind; "replenish" means to fill something up again; "reprimand" means scold, tell off, officially punish; "relegate" means downgrade to a lower position, lower the position of.

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for an adjective that describes a positive trait that would inspire people to vote for someone. The correct answer is therefore "prominent" which means well known, noticeable, important. Additionally, "grotesque" means gross, disgusting, unattractive; "infamous" means famous for the wrong reasons; "rigid" means firm, stern, harsh, fixed; "uptight" means tense and incapable of relaxing, not fun to be around. 

To solve this problem you need to figure out which of these answer choices is an adjective that describes a consequence of manual labor. Manual labor, or anything in which the hands or feet are used excessively, results in "calloused" hands. "Calloused" means hardened, tough (skin). Additionally, "adamant" means insistent, not able to be persuaded to change one's mind; "cryptic" means mysterious; "serene" means quite, peaceful, tranquil; "dainty" means soft, delicate.

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.