For the first blank, we know that Samantha did "not [stress] over [the assignment] at all and procrastinat[ed] even as its due date crept closer," so we can infer that she was not worried about the assignment. That means that we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "not worried." Either "nonchalant" ("of a person or manner: feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm") or "unconcerned" ("showing a lack of worry or interest, especially when this is surprising or callous") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out an adjective to describe Samantha's emotional state "when she realized that she wouldn't be able to finish [the assignment] in time" "the night before it was due." Either "despondent" ("in low spirits from loss of hope or courage") or "disconsolate" ("without consolation or comfort; unhappy") could be potentially correct. Of the potentially correct answers we've identified, only "nonchalant" and "despondent" appear in a single answer choice, so "nonchalant . . . despondent" is the correct answer.

If we fill in words that would complete this sentence, we might choose "clearly" and "stubborn," since we are told that the politician was in the wrong and that he refused to admit it. Three of the options work in the place of "clearly": "demonstrably" (capable of being demonstrated as true), "indubitably" (doubtlessly; related to the word "dubious"), and "plainly." "Conceivably" would be too weak here, as it would leave doubt as to whether the politician was really in the wrong. Of the corresponding second words, only "obstinate" would work as a synonym for stubborn. "Pliant" would be an antonym (meaning easily shaped or moved) and, while a "meek" politician might hesitate to speak out often, he would also likely be too humble not to apologize for a mistake.

"Though usually" is the clue in the sentence that tells you that you are looking for a pair of antonyms. "Taciturn" means shy or not saying much, so you need a synonym of "taciturn" in the first blank, and an antonym of "taciturn" in the second blank. "Reserved" (quiet) and "gregarious" (outgoing) are the only two words that fit. "Loquacious" and "verbose" both mean talkative. "Reticent" and "shy" are synonyms. "Timorous" means fearful, and "foolhardy" means foolishly daring, which kind of works, but not as well as "reserved" and "gregarious" do.

Again, we are looking for antonyms here. The clue word is "hesitantly," which means cautiously or with hesitation. The girl is scared, but she is trying to look brave in front of her friends. "Courageous" (brave) and "reluctantly" (unwillingly) are the only two words that fit.

The clue in this sentence is that a caterpillar eats twenty times its body weight every day. Therefore, we can infer that it is hungry. We need two words that mean hungry and hungrily. "Voracious" and "ravenously" fit the bill. 

Our clue is that the sentence is about John Wilkes Booth, one of the most traitorous men in history. We need synonyms for "traitorous." "Perfidious" and "treachrous" both work. The wrong answers are combinations of synonyms and antonyms of "traitorous" that don't work.

We know from reading the sentence that Mr. Johnson returned home to find that the money he had placed in his safe was not there. We can infer that for the first blank, we want a word like "surprised" or "angry" or "upset." The word "disconcerted" means unnerved or upset, so this could work. The word "confused" might also work. The other two word choices for the first blank do not work: "enthralled" means fascinated, and "belittled" means criticized or dismissed. Continuing on to the second blank, we know we have to choose between "discreetly" and "reluctantly." We can infer that Mr. Johnson locked the money in the safe intentionally, and that he probably didn't want many people to know (because he didn't want his money to be stolen!). Since "discreetly" means prudently or without drawing attention to oneself, this is the best choice. "Reluctantly" means hesitantly, and is not a good choice.

The key expression is "instead of strictly factual statements." These are contrasted to the second blank and implied as a synonym of the first blank. "Figurative" language is non-literal language. It is like making a "figure" or "picture" in words instead of employing strict meaning. For example, when we say that a storm is "raging," we are using the word "raging" in a non-literal sense, since this strictly applies to human emotions. The word "literal" means involving a word's primary meaning and not any form of extended meaning, such as metaphor. Indeed, "literal" means, "by the letter itself"—sort of like the "letter of the law," as we often say.

The hint regarding the first blank is the expression "maladies of the mouth" used in the main clause. A "malady" is a disease, so the adjective being used to describe the diseases in the first clause must pertain to ones found in the mouth. Such diseases are "oral," a word coming from the Latin for "mouth." The second blank is contrasted to the abilities noted in the introductory clause. While the dentist could treat some diseases, he was not competent in treating every kind of oral disease. "Competence" is the ability to do something.

Since Peter asks questions without much hesitation or care, he likely is very direct. To be "blunt" is to be direct and, often, outspoken. Such a person is like a "blunt" piece of wood—lacking any sharp points or subtlety. He is like a flat, straight board—everything is exposed and direct. Thus, "bluntly" is an excellent choice for the second blank. The first blank is contrasted to this. If someone is blunt, he or she will likely not be known for being "subtle," which is to be delicate and elaborate, often making many distinctions.