All of the first words are accurate descriptions of the Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park. We are left with the second-blank words to lead us to the correct answer. Sections of the hike are quite "serene" (peaceful), but this would not test the scout's "fortitude" (courage or bravery). Parts of the hike could reveal a hiker's "timidity," but we wouldn't say that those parts were a test of timidity. "Ineptitude" (lack of skill, incompetence) doesn't make much sense here. "Mettle" is pronounced like the word "metal," and is actually a variant of the word; but whereas "metal" names a physical substance, "mettle" describes a figurative quality that has a metal-like strength. Synonyms include determination, courage, and valor.

Because the author uses the word “nonetheless,” it can be inferred that the subject of this sentence is some type of person that one would not expect to be nervous when speaking to a crowd. This likely means either “orator” (a talented public speaker) or “lecturer” (someone who gives lessons to a large group). From there it is a matter of determining whether a “vast” or “gregarious” audience would be more likely to make someone nervous. “Vast” means very large and “gregarious” means friendly and sociable, so the correct answer must be “orator . . . vast.” To provide further help, a “miser” is someone who is not very generous with money; “substitute,” when used as a noun, means replacement; “jovial” means happy and jolly; a “specimen” is something meant to serve as a sample of something; and “apathetic” means nonchalant or not caring.

We can infer that because the adventurer "never show[ed] the slightest hint of fear" when confronted with dangers that explorers typically faced, we need to pick out an adjective that means something like "brave" to describe the adventurer in the first blank. Either "intrepid" ("fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect)") or "undaunted" ("not intimidated or discouraged by difficulty, danger, or disappointment") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "fear of," because we know that the explorer "always carried a flashlight on him" and his exploring party " lots of extra batteries, lanterns, and torches," which would suggest that he does not like being alone in the dark at all. Either "aversion to" ("having a strong dislike or disinclination towards") or "phobia of" ("having an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something") could be potentially correct. Of the potentially correct answers we've identified, only "undaunted" and "phobia of" appear in a single answer choice, so "undaunted . . . phobia of" is the correct answer.

"Majority" and "unanimous" is the most likely match. Most of the students voted for the ice cream party, but the decision was not unanimous (meaning 100-percent agreed-upon).

Although "remainder" makes sense in the sentence, "necessary" does not.

Although "classroom" makes sense, "popular" does not. If a classroom full of students voted on the ice cream party, it is unlikely that the decision would not be popular.

The words "youngest" and "immediate," while making sense in the sentence on their own, do not relate in the context of this sentence.

The relative clause beginning with the participle "rushing into things" describes way that these people act. The first blank requires an adverb (as is obvious from the answer choices). To describe someone who acts without thinking, we could say that such a person acts quickly. A "hasty" action is one that is quick, generally implying that it does not give due time to necessary considerations. The second blank should indicate that such a person acts with little thought. While "forethought" is correct here, the correlated "reluctantly" is not adequate for the first blank. The best option includes both "hastily" and "reflection." To act without "reflecting" is to act without thinking about one's previous actions much.

The clue in this sentence is noting that the presenter seemed to touch upon key points.  Thus, her speech probably had brevity or briefness and had concise wording.

This sentence's two blanks could be completed in two ways: either grandma is thrilled with her son's (or son-in-law's) gentlemanly demeanor, or she is horrified by his improper behavior. The only pair of words that matches a behavior with a logical response from grandma is "aghast" (horrified—related to the word "ghost") and "buffoon" (a clown or fool).

Two things help to answer this question. First, note the fact that the sentence is giving a contrast. Secondly, the things being contrasted are kindergarten classrooms. The latter point eliminates "foraging . . . saving" and "speculation . . . docile," which really do not make sense in the context of kindergarten classes. The nature of the contrast is implied by the use of "wild and uncontrolled" to describe the state of the first classroom. The general implication is that the room is chaotic; however, it makes no sense to say that the other room is malignant—which is neither a contrasting term nor appropriate in meaning. Thus, the answers "bedlam" and "tranquil" are the best. "Bedlam" describes a place that is in total chaos. The word originally was used to name hospitals for mentally ill people. The word "tranquil" means "peaceful and undisturbed"—quite a contrast from "bedlam."

From the context of the sentence as a whole, the parent in question would be a famous one. Such fame brings attention even to the family, who would prefer to avoid such constant attention. The word "illustrious" means well-known and admired, and is often used to imply some kind of fame. It is related to the word "illustration"; just as illustrious people are well known, illustrations help to make something else known by presenting a picture of it. "Scrutiny" means careful observation. To "scrutinize" something (or someone) is to give it careful review, attention, and evaluation.

The clear blank is the second one, which is contrasted to the description of the taste of garlic, which is called "strong." A good opposite meaning would be "weak" or "dull." The word "bland" does well for this. To call something "bland" is to say that it does not have a strong character. For food, this means that it is mild.  Although something "tedious" is perhaps "dull," the meanings are quite different, particularly in comparison with "bland," which can be used for food, whereas "tedious" generally describes some kind of activity that is boring. For the first blank, while we might want to say that he does not have strong "opinions," "beliefs," or even "dispositions," the best answer would be "preferences." This is indicated by the parallel with "favor." He does not strongly favor garlic but does favor it a bit. To "prefer" something generally means to favor one thing in contrast to something else or other things.