Because the squirrel decided that the sparrows were not a threat, we're looking for a verb that means something like represent. Because "constitute" means amount to, make up, form, or compose it is the best answer.

Since Celine got her project done by avoiding distractions, we can infer that we're looking for a verb that means something like "avoid." While "abdicate" may sound like a potentially correct answer because it means "give up," it is specifically used for monarchs and means "to renounce the throne," so it wouldn't work in our sentence's context. "Eschew," however, means "deliberately avoid using; abstain from," so it is the correct answer.

This question requires a small amount of critical thinking on your part. You likely will conclude that the President would be seeking to remove or help ameliorate the fears of the American people during a depression. This would lead you to the correct answer “allay,” which means to calm or relieve. "Exacerbate" is opposite in meaning and means make something greater or worse; "harmonize" means complement; "propagate" means to spread; and "undulate" means to roll and ripple.

The word "melior" in Latin means better. From this root, we get the word "ameliorate," which means to improve. You can think of it as meaning to make better. Thus, given that the student did much better on his exams, we can say that he ameliorated, or improved, his grade.

Notice that the series of talks is called "new" in the sentence. Thus, the implication is that the lecture is the first in this new series. The "inauguration" is the beginning or introduction of some new activity. For instance, in the US, a president will give his or her "inaugural address" when he or she begins a term of the presidency. Among the options given here, "inaugurate" is the best, as it indicates such a beginning of the series of talks.

The word "indulge" is generally used with regard to things that are desired, especially pleasant things. Thus, we indulge our desire for sweets by eating candy and indulge our curiosity by asking questions about our interests. Someone who is "indulgent" always fills his or her desires. The word can mean more generally to fulfill a desire, whatever it might be. Here, the children are not indulging their mother's questions. She clearly desires to ask them—for if they answer, she will ask even more.

From what is said in the second sentence, we can infer that the work in question did not deserve the praise that it apparently did receive. The word "merit" can be used either as a noun or as a verb. As a noun, it indicates a praiseworthy quality. Thus, we can talk about the "merits" of a given proposal. As a verb, it means "deserving of praise." Hence, this is the correct answer.

The general point of the sentence is that the damage to the cars was not certain based on the external damage. Thus, it was difficult for those looking into it to take full stock of the damage caused. This means that it was difficult for them to judge or estimate such damage. To "assess" something is to make [such] an estimation.

Although you might think that Gregory would have to assert or defend his desire to move to Australia, all that we know from the sentence is that he kept these plans secret. This means that he has not yet told anyone. A change in this situation would require him to tell them. That is all that you can infer from the sentence. Thus, the best option is simply, "Declare."

The implication of this sentence is that John did not know how to measure his voice volume. He could be obnoxiously loud as well as overly soft—all without warning or even noticing it himself. The word "regulate" comes from the Latin "regula," meaning rule or ruler. Thus, "regulations" in general are measures or rules.