The contrast being expressed in this sentence is between specific details that are difficult to understand and ones that are not specific but are easily understood. To be "not specific" is to be "general." The word "general" comes from the Latin and Greek meaning class or kind. The genus "homo" in "homo sapiens" is the general class of animals like us. We are "specifically" "sapiens."

The sentences are clearly contrasting an instantaneous process to one that happens "over time." This is far from being "immediate." Instead, such a process is "gradual," meaning happening slowly and by small stages or degrees. The word "gradual" comes from the Latin for step and is found in words like "grade" and "gradation."

The key phrase in this question is "even if they are not punished by the law." This indicates that the actions mentioned earlier in the sentence are apparently not punishable under the law. When the law does not punish something, that thing is generally considered "legal." The word "legal" itself comes from the Latin word "lex" or "legis," meaning law. This is by far the closest word to our immediate need.

These two clauses contrast the sense of being an "option" or being "optional" to the word that is being required for the answer. In contrast to being "optional," something might be "necessary or a requirement. Therefore, "requirement" is the best answer of those given.

The parallel in this sentence is between being "horrible" and whatever it is that bribes do not necessarily do to politicians. To become horrible or morally bad is to become "corrupted." This is much better than "wealthy," as the sentence is not focusing directly on the wealth gained by some politicians; it is focused on the overall negative impact of political life on their character. This is best noted by "corrupted." Note also that the sentence does not necessarily say that they become tyrants—though political corruption might in fact lead to that.

The sentence is contrasting two temperaments, one that is timid and quiet and another that is the opposite. Clearly, Peter is assertive—to the point of questioning his elders. This does not, however, mean that he is "bratty." It may or may not mean that. Likewise, he might be "annoying" (pesky), but we do not know that necessarily. The best option is "forceful," which contrasts directly with the timidity of John.

For any sentence with a contrast like this one, you need to stay as close as possible to the direct meaning of the sentence. The first part of the sentence talks about the inside of the house and its "cleanness" (or tidiness). The contrast is with something that is untidy. All we are given to help us determine the opposite word is "inside." Therefore, the sentence must be contrasting the inside to the outside—not to the garage, nor even (if it were an option) to the lawn. It is to the "exterior," which means related to or visible on the outside of something.

"Palatable" means acceptable to the taste. The todler found the baked chicken inedible (unacceptable to the taste). The wrong answers are antonyms of "palatable," and while they may initially look correct, the "not" in the sentence tells us that we need to pick out a word that means "tasting good" or at least "acceptable to the taste," not "tasting bad."

Since the researcher disagrees with the skepticism of the scientists, she would be "optimistic" - hopeful and confident - about her experiments. None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "indifferent" means apathetic, "doubtful" means skeptical, "expressive" means expressing emotion, and "poor" means lacking money.

In order to appear to have disappared, the rabbit must be hidden from sight under the table. The correct answer is "concealed," which is a synonym of "hidden." None of the other answer choices make sense in the sentence's context: "discovered," when used as an adjective, is an antonym of "concealed" and means revealed or exposed; "compiled" means put together; "drenched" means soaked; and "visible" is another antonym of "concealed," and means able to be seen.