The word "docile" comes from Latin roots meaning to teach. The words "doctor," "indoctrinate," "doctrine," and "document" all come from the same root. A "doctor" is someone who has been taught very thoroughly, and a "doctrine" is a teaching. Whenever a person is described as being "docile," he or she is teachable. Hence, the best option is "submissive." Someone who is "submissive" is someone who lets himself or herself be taught (or, at least, led) by someone else.

The word "illiterate" comes from the Latin word for letters. Whenever we talk about the "literal" meaning of something, we want to know "what the letters mean"—i.e. what it means without any additional interpretation. Whenever someone is "illiterate," he or she cannot read or communicate via written language. Thus, an illiterate person is generally an uneducated person. Thus, the word "ignorant" is sometimes a fine synonym for "illiterate."

The words "alien" and "alienate" come from Latin roots meaning other. Whenever something is "alien," it is foreign to us—it is something "other" in the sense of being different. The verb form "alienate" describes the process of making something appear to be foreign or other. Thus, the only option that is adequate for this question is "isolate." Whenever we "alienate" people, we isolate them from each other.

Whenever we "imitate" something else, we try to copy that thing. The word "imitate" comes from roots meaning image. Think of what we mean when we call a picture an "image." It is a kind of copy of something else. This is the general idea of being an "imitation." Another example that might be familiar to you is "imitation vanilla." Because vanilla can be expensive, some companies make a kind of vanilla by artificial processes. Thus, they make a kind of replica of vanilla or they attempt to simulate vanilla flavoring. The best option provided for this question is "simulation," which expresses this general idea of being a copy or an imitation.

The word "vilify" is made up of two stems with which you should be familiar. The first portion is related to "vile." Whenever something is "vile," it is very unpleasant. Sometimes, we use the word to describe something that is very disgusting. The suffix "-fy" means to do or to make. Thus, to "vilify" someone is to make that person appear to be disgusting or unpleasant. In general, the word is used to describe how we can ruin someone's appearance in public by saying bad things about them. Thus, the word "defame" is excellent, for it means to ruin someone's reputation.

The word "pomp" is used to describe a kind of grand or large personality or external appearance that something might have. A "pompous" person expresses himself or herself in this kind of grand manner. Often, this kind of attitude is arrogant or "pushy." The word "domineering" is derived from the Latin word for master. A domineering person is someone who is forceful and acts like he or she is the master of other people. This word is related to the English word "dominion," meaning, "Area that is under a given person or country's rule."

Whenever something has great dignity—hence, is "dignified"—that thing is worthy of respect. Often, such things strike us as being very important and, hence, also show us how unimportant we are in comparison to that thing (or person). For this reason, the word "dignified" has "imposing" as an acceptable synonym. The word "imposing" comes from the combination of the prefix "im-" (a form of "in-"), which here means "on", with the base "-posing," which here means "to place." (The word "position" can be thought of as meaning "the placement.") Whenever something is "imposing", it can be said to place on us a sense of importance or grandeur.  Hence, this word is an acceptable synonym for "dignified."  A "dignified person" could well be called "an imposing person."

As you likely know, the genre of fiction is about stories that are "made up." Non-fiction is about true facts. This seems interesting that the "not real" category doesn't have a "non-" in front of it! However, root words help to understand this state of affairs. The word "fiction" and "fictitious" come from Latin meaning to do or to make. From this, you can understand why "fictitious" is related to "fabricated." Something that is "fabricated" is also "made up." A "fabrication" is something that has been created. Often, we use it to describe something that is made up and not true, as when we say, "He fabricated a tale to cover over his bad deed."

The word "insular" comes from the Latin word "insula," meaning island. It is actually the root for the English word "isolated." We use the word "insular" to describe someone who is isolated from others. This can be meant physically, but also culturally. An insular person is someone who is ignorant and uncultured. For this question, however, the only good option is "solitary," meaning alone. An insular person is like someone alone on an island.

To help you remember this word, think of the word "peninsula". The state of Florida in the United States of America is almost an island because it is surrounded by water on three sides. Therefore, it is almost an island. The word "peninsula" literally means almost an island.

The word annual comes from the Latin for "year." When we celebrate an anniversary, we celebrate the fact that another year has passed after something occurred. Hence, the best meaning for "annual" is "yearly." An annual gathering is one that occurs once every year.