This sentence indicates that the fire in question did not completely burn the porch. It came to the very edge of the house and only left some minor surface damage on the porch. For this reason, options like "destroy," "incinerate," and "enflame" are all too strong. The word "scorch" is a perfect fit, for it means to burn something's surface. This seems to be what happened to the porch—its surface was burnt, though it was not damaged much more.

For this sentence, you are really just looking for synonyms for "majestic" and "glorious." There is no indication that something else is needed, but this point is repeated again and again: the view is quite marvelous. Therefore, the best option is "sublime." Something that is described as being "sublime" is marvelous, majestic, and glorious.

Clearly the acid rain is damaging the buildings in question. Indeed, this sentence indicates that they are being very significantly harmed by the rains. This means that they must be completely "falling apart" or "breaking down" from the acid rain. Therefore, the best word is "disintegrating," which describes the process of falling apart and losing all shape. This seems to be what is happening. In any case, the word "disintegrating" is the only option that has the strength needed, given the structure of the sentence, which signals such an intensification by means of the expression "not merely..."

Foggy or rainy weather might well match Isidore's depressed mood. Even if the weather were rainy or foggy, it would be better to describe it as being "dismal," for this describes something that is not only physically dreary but also something is kind of depressing in character.

Notice the implied intensification that happens in this sentence. It is said that Terry "didn't merely complain." This implies that he did something more than merely complain. Put simply, he really complained. Therefore, the best option will be "rant." Whenever someone "rants," he or she talks about something in a very wild (almost uncontrolled) manner. Although this might seem a bit strong, it is the only option that we have that expresses this idea of complaining about political matters with energy.

First of all, note that the old man clearly is sitting on his porch and thinking. Therefore, the options "express" and "discuss" really are not appropriate. Now, be very careful. Notice that he is thinking about these matters carefully and slowly. This means that he is not merely "recalling" them. He is "musing" over them in a deliberate fashion. The best option will be a word that expresses this kind of activity. When we "ponder" something, we do just this—we think over something carefully.

The young man's appetite must be very "big" after the three days without food. Indeed, the sentence does hint at this by saying that he was ready to eat almost anything put in front of him. This kind of increased appetite is really more than a mere manner of being "increased." It was really big. The word "voracious" describes a kind of hunger or desire that is extreme. This matches the strength of the sentence's claim about his hunger and therefore is the best option provided.

Due to her quirky way of dressing and the fact that she dances around the classroom, the English teacher is best described as eccentric or unconventional.