From context, you can tell that the underlined word must mean something like important or crucial. This should lead to the correct answer, which is “imperative.” “Imperative” means necessary. As for the other answer choices, “senseless” means without sense or pointless; “approachable” means friendly-looking and able to be approached; someone who is “opportunistic” seizes and takes advantage of opportunities; and “deleterious” means hurtful or harmful.

Because the old man is able to save money and yet has a small and limited (“meager”) income, you know that he must lead a very “frugal” existence. “Frugal” means thrifty, economical, or sparing of expense. As for the other answer choices, “affluent” means wealthy; “prosperous” means wealthy and successful; “morose” means sulky and in a bad mood, and "jumbled" means physically disorganized.

Because the accused “unnerved the audience with his lack of compassion,” you can infer that he must have spoken “callously.” “Callous” means heartless, cruel, and cold or insensitive and disregarding of others. As for the other answer choices, “incessantly” means non-stop; "quietly" means using a voice that has a low volume, “immaculately” means perfectly or faultlessly; and “deafeningly” means extremely loudly, in a a way that drowns out all other sounds.

From context, you know that the subject was trying to avoid attention and be secretive. This should lead to the correct answer, which is “furtive.” “Furtive” means attempting to avoid attention, secret, or clandestine. As for the other answer choices, “gaudy” means garish, ostentatious, and in bad taste; “demonstrative” means expressive of emotions or serving to demonstrate something; “morose” means sad and serious; and “pompous” means arrogant and self-important.

It stands to reason that travelers would be warned to get shots before going somewhere where malaria is common, so the correct answer is “endemic.” “Endemic” means regularly found in a certain area; “pandemic” refers to disease and means found all over the world; “eradicated” means completely eliminated; “poignant” means moving, touching, or emotionally affecting; and “tedious” means boring, dull, or predictable.

Because the farmer fears he does not have enough to survive the winter, you can reasonably infer that his crops must be affected or infected with disease. So, the correct answer is “blighted.” A “blight” is a disease that affects plants, so a "blighted" plant is a "diseased" plant. As for the other answer choices, “sustained” means kept going; “aloof” means distant; “incredulous” means disbelieving; and “hasty” means rushed.

The classmates find the subject of this sentence “irritating” because of his “self-importance”; this suggests they would also agree that he is “pretentious.” “Pretentious” means affectedly showy and trying to impress people by pretending to be talented or important. As for the other answer choices, “commendable” means laudable and deserving of praise; “diligent” means exacting and hardworking; “glib” means smooth-talking; and “beguiling” means charming and attractive, often while involving some sort of deception.

Because the "incumbent" (person currently holding an elected office) found out that the had won the election with a massive new majority, you could reasonably determine that he would find the results pleasing, or “gratifying.” As for the other answer choices, “judicious” means wise, prudent, and showing good judgment; “infuriating” means frustrating; “mystifying” means confusing and puzzling; and "insignificant" means unimportant.

If someone was caught not paying their taxes, it would likely mar or ruin their reputation. This can lead you to the correct answer, which is “tarnished.” “Tarnished” means negatively impacted, ruined, or spoiled. "Bolstered" would convey that the man's reputation was improved by the discovery that he hadn't been paying his taxes for decades, which isn't logical, and none of the answer choices make sense in the blank.

Ghosts and werewolves are examples of “supernatural” beings, as "supernatural” means paranormal or mystical. As for the other answer choices, “extraterrestrial” means alien and not earthly in origin; “robotic” means mechanical or behaving like a robot; “mundane” means boring or ordinary; and “homogenous” means alike, uniform, or consistent.