We can tell from the sentence that we're looking for a verb that means something like bent. While "wilted" and "broke" each seem like possible options, "broke" is too strong of a word for the sentence's context, since then we wouldn't be able to explain how the flowers were able to recover after the rainstorm. "Wilted," however, refers to plants and means drooped; because of this, it best fits the context of the sentence and is the correct answer.

We can infer from the subject of the sentence that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stop." "Start" and "encourage" are antonyms of the word we're looking for, so neither of them can be the correct answer. While "pause" might look like a good answer, "pause" implies only a temporary stop, and it seems pretty unlikely that the vice principal would let the food fight start up again. The best answer choice is "quell," a verb that in this context means "put an end to a rebellion or other disorder, typically by the use of force."

We can infer that because Toby's little brother clearly ate the cookies, that Toby was proven innocent when his little brother wandered into the room. So, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "proven innocent" for the blank. "Convicted," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "convicted" means "declared to be guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law," and Toby was not guilty. "Vindicated," however, is a verb that means either "cleared (someone) of blame or suspicion" or "showed or proved to be right, reasonable, or justified," and because "vindicated" best describes how Toby was cleared of suspicion when it was discovered that his brother had eaten the cookies, "vindicated" is the correct answer.

We can infer that because Sally did not show up to school on Friday with her hair died pink, that it stopped the rumors that she had died her hair. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "stopped." Neither "encouraged" nor "confirmed" can be the correct answer, because Sally did nothing to support the rumors that she had died her hair pink, so neither answer choice makes sense in the sentence's context. "Quash," however, means "put an end to; suppress," so "quashed" is the answer choice that best describes what happened to the rumors, and because "quashed" best fits the context of the sentence, it is the correct answer.

The sentence implies a contrast because of its beginning with "although." The blank is contrasted to the fact that Jefferson could write very communicatively. The implication is that he was perhaps not as impressive in communicating by other means. The only option that indicates such other means of communication is the word "orator." An orator is one who speaks in a public forum. The fact that Jefferson writes well when alone particularly hints that the contrasting term should be "orator," which not only indicates abilities as a speaker but also the fact that such speaking is public in character.

The key to this question is the word "although." This sets up a contrast between the main clause and the introductory clause. The contrast being expressed is between the fact that Patrick had worked for years as a technician and his status as a programmer. In contrast to working for a number of years, he must have worked few years (or none) as a programmer. Therefore, he lacks "experience." The second best answer is "expertise." However, it could be the case that Patrick has the expertise (though unpracticed).

A resume should express someone's work experience (and other such background information), making the case for them to be considered for some form of employment. If Dean had no work experience at all, his resume was "not much to see." That is, it was not "impressive" for his potential employers.

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.