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.

When someone acts uninterested in another person and appears distant, they are acting in a way that is "aloof." This word means not caring about what another person says in a way that is somewhat rude. Given the definition of "aloof" and the context of this sentence, it is the best answer.

This sentence explains that Gina, in completing her homework, "always sticks to a set schedule." This means that she is very diligent about her work and trains herself to act in a certain way. The best word to describe this is "disciplined," meaning focused and self-motivated. Therefore, "disciplined" is the best answer choice.

Here, the sentence provides a hint as to what the blank is by indicating that Isabel is very much like her mother, and revealing that her mother is "extremely refined." Another word for "refined" is "classy." Given that the blank should be filled with a word very similar in meaning to "refined," the word "classy" is the best answer choice.