If the people in this sentence laid out a bowl of chocolate almonds for the man they must have done so because they knew of his preference or "predilection" for them. A "predilection" is a preference, something liked above something else. Additionally, an "altercation" is a fight; a "barrage" is a relentless, fast-paced attack; "income" is money earned for work; "potential" is possible ability.

Based on the context the correct answer must be a noun that means song. The correct answer is therefore "ditty" which means playful, short song. Additionally, an "adage" is an old saying; "dissent" is disagreement, refusal to follow the rules; "flux" is a state of constant change; "debris" is refuse, trash.

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes the place where a family comes together, you know that the correct answer must mean something like home. The correct answer is therefore "hearth." A "hearth" can be a home or a fireplace. Additionally, a "substitute" is a replacement; a "rift" is a disagreement; "residue" is what is left behind when something else is removed; an "adherent" is a follower.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a noun that means something like character, behavior, conduct. The correct answer is therefore "deportment." Additionally, "indifference" is apathy, a lack of caring; "lassitude" is weariness, exhaustion; a "cull" is an organized killing of an animal; a "disruption" is something that interrupts and causes people to have to change their plans to get around it. 

Which of these nouns is a characteristic of a person that might be tested by war? The correct answer is "mettle" which means spirit, courage, bravery. Additionally, "severity" means harshness; "persistence" means determination; "compensation" means payment made to someone for work done or injury suffered; an "excursion" is a short, pleasant trip.

Based on the context of this sentence you are looking for a noun that describes possible ability, a possible future outcome. The correct answer is therefore "potential." Additionally, "audacity" is nerve, boldness, 'cheek'; "decency" is common goodness; "alacrity" means cheerfulness, eagerness; "perjury" is lying under oath.

The use of the word "surrounded" tells you that the noun you are looking for relates to a large group of people. The correct answer is "entourage" which describes a large group of people who move about together. Additionally, a "felon" is a criminal; a "buffoon" is a fool; a "specter" is a ghost; a "quack" is an amateur, someone who claims to know what they are doing but actually does not.

Based on the context of this sentence, which describes the "poor" (unfortunate) soldiers being shot at by machine guns, you are looking for an answer that means something like raw material to be consumed by. The correct answer is therefore "fodder." "Fodder" can mean simply food given to farm animals, but in wider society it is usually used to mean something like raw (sometimes human) material that is wasted, not needed, or consumed by. Additionally, "brigands" are pirates, bandits; "mutineers" are soldiers who rebel against the command; "adherents" are devoted followers; a "hearth" is a home or a fireplace.

Based on the context of this sentence you know you are looking for a noun that is used to describe a person employed via a contract to undertake some work. The correct answer is therefore "contractor." Additionally, "edifice" is a building; "deadlock" is an impasse, a stalemate, a situation in which two sides are evenly matched and conflict cannot be easily resolved; an "outlaw" is a criminal; a "renegade" is a rebel, someone who does not follow the rules.

Which of these is a noun that describes something that might be hunted? The correct answer is "fowl." "Fowl" are any birds that are eaten or hunted. Additionally, a "miser" is someone who does not like to spend money, someone not generous with money; a "strait" is a narrow body of water between two large pieces of land; a "pauper" is a very poor person who begs for money; a "barrister" is a type of lawyer.