Based on the context of this sentence the correct answer must reflect a characteristic that makes someone disagreeable, or disinclined to agree with popular opinion. The correct answer is therefore "contrarian." A "contrarian" is someone who disagrees with popular opinion. To provide further help, "debonair" means charming and sophisticated; "acclaimed" means widely praised; "devoted" means loyal or loving; "cagey" means shrewd and cautious

A funeral is an occasion that is usually serious, grave and dignified. So, to solve this problem you need to determine which of these answer choices has a similar meaning. The correct answer is "solemnity" which means the quality of being dignified and serious. To provide further help, "truculence" means aggression; "contingency" means a future set of possible circumstances that need to be planned for; "celibacy" means the state of avoiding sexual contact; "capitulation" means surrender. 

In this sentence a trial is cancelled because the prosecution could not prove or provide evidence for their claims. The correct answer therefore is "substantiate." To "substantiate" means to provide evidence proving a claim. To provide further help, "blazon" means embellish, which might have been a viable answer choice if there was not a better one available. Additionally, "extirpate" means to destroy completely; "relegate" means to demote to an inferior position; and "repose" is a state of rest. 

The subject of this sentence was fired for doing something with the company retirement fund. Logically it makes sense if he was fired for something like stealing or embezzling the money. Therefore the correct answer is "peculating." To "peculate" means to steal money that was entrusted to one in good faith. To provide further help, "brandishing" means waving about; "precluding" means preventing, stopping and excluding; "pondering" means carefully thinking; "buttressing" means supporting, reinforcing. 

In this sentence you are told that the population was forced to migrate away in search of a better quality of life. Logically then it makes sense that they would not have enough food and water. The correct answer therefore must mean something like scarcity, lack of, not enough of. This leads to "paucity" which means shortage, scarcity, lack of. To provide further help, "lambent" means flickering, like a flame; "enigma" means puzzle; a "declamation" is a speech given in anger or protest; "aegis" means protection, support. 

In this sentence you are told that the speaking style of the orator reminds Patrick of a snake. So, the correct answer is "sibilant" which refers to a hissing sound, a sound like that of a snake. To provide further help, "banal" means cliche, boring; "somber" means grave, serious; "thunderous" means loud, daunting sound; "fluctuating" means changing from one point to another and back, going up and down.

The speaker in this sentence tells you that he has been called something, but goes on to suggest that he finds this label unfair because rules are meant to be followed. This information suggests that the speaker is accused of a strict adherence to rules. The term "straitlaced" refers to someone who strictly follows rules. To provide further help, "homely" means plain and unattractive; "limpid" means clear; "dilatory" means slow in action, unhurried, prone to procrastination; "pejorative" means having a derogative or reductive impact, based on stereotype. 

Negative reports in the media would most logically have a humbling or moderating impact on the attitude of a young superstar. So, you are looking for the answer choice that most closely matches this definition. The correct answer is "chastening." "Chastening" means humbling, having a moderating or subduing impact on someone. To provide further help, an "inkling" is a small suspicion, an intuition; "invigorating" means strengthening, energizing; "enervating" means weakening; "obfuscating" means confusing. 

A situation where prisoners escape and take over the prison sounds like an incredibly chaotic situation. So, to solve this problem you are looking for the answer choice that is closest in meaning to chaotic, mad, out of control. The correct answer then is "bedlam." To provide further help, "larceny" means thievery and might be a possible correct answer if "bedlam" were not a much stronger answer. Additionally, "repose" means rest; "innuendo" means a reference of a crude or vulgar nature; "cohabitation" means living together, inhabiting the same space. 

To solve this problem you simply have to determine which of these answer choices describes food that is not sweet. The correct answer is "savory." "Savory" means tasty, not sweet, salty food. To provide further help, "ribald" means vulgar, insulting; "abstruse" means hard to understand; "brash" means cocky, impudent; "lustrous" means shiny.