The key to this sentence is the transition indicating that even though she faced obstacles in her life, she remained optimistic and upbeat.

The key expression is “refined and soothing,” which gives the sense to the opposition that must be captured in the first term. In contrast with being soothing, the young band was “cacophonous,” a word literally meaning (from the Greek) “bad sounding.” In English, it often implies harshness of sound as well.  The word “symphony” means “sounding together” (as in playing together in an agreeable manner), and the word “euphony” means “good sounding.” The second word in the sentence merely needs to capture the sense of “band,” “group,” or “ensemble.”

Both of the blanks in this sentence have similar oppositions to the expressions used in their respective clauses. The first blank is opposed to “complex” and the second to “the larger question.”   For the first, the best word is “aspect” which means “a particular (i.e. partial) view on something.” It literally means “to look at,” the “-spects” portion of the word being related to English words like “spectator” and “spectacles.” The second blank builds on this consideration of aspects, for such particular considerations are called “partial”—a word clearly meaning “concerned with a part.”

The sense of the sentence is that Hans’ grandmother only has the basics of academic training. The option containing “elementary” is tempting, but its paired “deformation” does not match the sense of the second blank. The best option is the one containing “rudimentary” and “formation.” The word “rudimentary” means “concerned with the basics of a subject.” Something “rude” is something that is “uncultured” or (closer to its Latin bases) “unshaped” or “unmade.” When something is “rudimentary,” it is basic, not having been subjected to later “shaping” or “deepening.” One can refer to a person’s training as being his or her “formation,” so that option is quite acceptable for the second blank.

Since George is said to be lazy, the best option for the first blank is the word best conveying that description of his demeanor. The two most tempting options are sluggish and slothful. When someone is sluggish, he or she is slow moving or low in energy. However, a slothful person is not merely slow moving but also is judged to be lazy. Therefore, the latter is the best option for the first blank. The word “turpitude” does not mean mere fault but instead conveys the strong sense of wickedness. Since the slothfulness is a mark of “grave” moral fault, the word “turpitude” is the best option for the second, as it conveys the intensification from merely “negative” to “grave.”

For this sentence, it is necessary to avoid implying too much specificity regarding the needed words. The key word for the first blank is “protect,” which implies that the innards of the animal were not well protected; therefore, the best option for this blank is “vulnerable.” Literally, the word means “able to be wounded.” The “vulner-” portion of it derives from the Latin for wound. Regarding the second word, the generality of “exoskeleton” best fits the case as well. In some of the other options, “calcite” is far too specific (a specific type of mineral), and words like “shield” and “buckler” are a bit too metaphorical or funcitonal. (Likewise, their paired words for the first blank are not sufficient.) Since the subordinate clause speaks of “internal skeleton,” the best (most direct) opposition would be “exoskeleton,” which literally means “an external skeleton.”

While many of the words in the second position refer to types of rhetorical devices, only "iambic" and "hendecasyllabic" apply to rhyme schemes and verse. A rhetorical flourish, which means the poet is showing off with a pretty, sophisiticated technique, makes more sense in this sentence than a rhetorical incision; therefore, the correct answer is "flourishes . . . iambic."

"Nepotism" means favoritism or bias. "Perfidious" means treacherous or betraying. "Solipsism" means a theory that only the self exists. "Resolute" means determined or strong-willed. "Prudence" means caution or carefullness. "Reclusive" means unsocial or isolated. "Skepticism" means  doubt or disbelief. "Ubiquitous" means ever-present or pervasive. "Parity" means equality or balance. "Scathing" means nasty or critical in remarks.

Grandpa's "genteel" (meaning elegant or refined . . . from—no surprise—a French word) would make him the perfect example (or "epitome"—pronounced "eh-PIH-tuh-mee") of a southern gent. His manners could also be described as "decorous," though then he could not be considered the "antithesis" (exact opposite) of a gentleman (southern or otherwise). If you thought that his manners were something less than genuine you might say they were "affected," but it wouldn't make sense to call him the "bastion" (a fortification) of a southern gentleman.

Look at the second blank first, because it is the easiest to fill in. Charlie's boss is giving him a promotion, so he will be recognized for something positive that he has done. If we look at the answer choices for the second blank, achievements, triumph, and performance could fit. Looking at their matches, we need a word for the first blank that shows he was excited to get to work. The only pair that fits is frantic and achievements.