A “mandate” is an official directive, so "directive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “succor” means aid or assistance; “duress” means stress or pressure to do something.

"Restraint” means a physical restriction that keeps one from moving normally or the ability to control oneself and not just act on emotion, so the best answer choice is "self-control." 

“Chagrin” is acute personal embarrassment or irritation at how a situation resulted, so "mortification," which means extreme embarrassment, is the answer choice closest in meaning to "chagrin." As for the other answer choices, “fusion” means blend; “privilege” means a special right or advantage granted to someone; “antipathy” means a deep-feeling of hatred or dislike; and “ferocity” refers to fierceness and cruelty. 

“Hyperbole” is an obvious and intentional overstatement of the truth, so "exaggeration" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hyperbole." Considering the other answer choices, a “conviction” is a strongly felt opinion; “conformity” means similarity or compliance to rules; "enthusiasm" means excitement or zeal; and "obstinance" means stubbornness.

"Pretense" is a noun that means "an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true" or "a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions."So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "an attempt to make something false appear true" or "a false display." "Candidness," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "candidness" is a noun that means "the quality of being truthful and straightforward; frankness," making it more of an antonym than a synonym of "pretense." "Deception," however, is a noun that means "the action of deceiving someone" or "a thing that deceives," and because "deception" is the answer choice closest to "pretense," "deception" is the correct answer.

"Predilection" and "propensity" both mean tendency or inclination. "Impartiality means equality or fairness. "Modicum" means a bit or small amount. "Parsimony" means stinginess or frugality. 

"Propensity" and "tendency" both mean an inclination or weakness. "Panacea" means a cure-all or elixir. "Incompetence" means lack of ability. "Pathos" means deep sadness. 

Since "antithesis" means a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else, the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "opposite."

We often use reaction in its weak sense of being a “response.” This is an acceptable (and most appropriate) meaning, but it is not found among your options. In a stronger usage, it can mean “a strong action or set of actions in response, often political.” For instance, one could say, “The new legislation requiring all citizens to pay an additional twenty percent in taxes caused a huge reaction from almost all classes of citizens.” Here, “reaction” takes on the stronger meaning of “backlash.”

Likely, you have heard the expression, “the only recourse,” as in, “A presidential pardon was the only recourse that the man had to lift the crime from his record.” The word generally means, “Means of alleviating a situation,” or even more generally, “Choice or option.” Thus, when one says, “He had recourse to the support of his family during his financial difficulties,” this means, “He had the option to go to his family for aid.”