Even if Ponzi scheme, a fraudulent investment scam, is an unfamiliar term, the tone and structure of the sentence indicate the broker did something illegal or dishonest. Look for an answer choice that indicates cheating or defrauding, which is the very definition of "bilked."

The teenager's rebellious acts and her mother's unawareness both indicate the computer is somehow helping the teenager's rebellion.  "Engendered," which means caused or enabled, is the only answer choice which indicates help, while all the other choices indicate an active harm.

Rivers will flow into larger bodies of water. Only "empty into" fits as an answer choice.

The sloppy element of the work indicates the professor needs to review more carefully the work of the student. “Dismiss,” “inoculate,” and “anticipate” do not have the appropriate sense of review, while "contemplate" does not convey enough seriousness to the sentence.

That he finds things to do while talking on the phone gives us a hint that this word will somehow mean he is fulfilling his mother's wish to have conversations with him. "Satiate" means to satisfy, and this is a perfect fit.

"Allay" means soothe or ease. Naturally, Albert's grandfather would want to ease the boy's fears about his first day of school.

Well, what young child does not like grandpas, bedtime stories, and a cuddly place? So, this sentence needs a word that means he really loved his grandpa. 

The word “revered” might remind you of Paul Revere, reverence or reverie. Maybe we cannot relate colonial Paul Revere too well to the sentence but where have you heard the words reverence or reverie? Maybe in songs, maybe in church, maybe in a school classroom? It sounds like a positive and honoring type word so let’s keep it for now.

The word “impugned” might sound negative like impossible or improbable and the “pugn” part of the word contains the root “pug” which is found in words like pugnacious and pugilistic which are related to fighting or a negative meaning. Let’s not chose impugned since it does not seem like it has anything to do with honoring or loving.

How about “assuaged”? This word sounds and looks like assured but that meaning does not fit so how about “appeased” which sounds like appealed or pleased but we need a better fit.

So what about “piqued”? It sounds and looks like it might mean sharp like a “peaked roof”.

The word “revered” seems to work best in the sentence since it is more than positive and shows the feeling of valuing another person.

This single-blank sentence needs your logic. Try putting your own words into the blank first to get the sense of the meaning: proven, shown, provided. 

So, does “contradicted” work? No, since it does not provide the evidence.

How about “validated”? What does valid mean? If you have a valid driver’s license is it legal? Yes…so validated must mean to make it become real…this one might work.

“Obfuscated” sounds like obnoxious, obtuse or obstruct. The prefix “ob-” means against and to obstruct does not work here.

The word “shrouded” sounds like clouded and may mean something similar but “validated” seems like a better fit. And then “befuddled”; what does it sound like? Maybe a nonsense word, have you ever heard “befuddled”? It means muddled, confused, perplexed but even if you did not know the meaning, “validated” works well as an answer.

The separate floor which houses the problematic employees means that they were taken away and kept apart from their coworker. "Quarantined" means precisely this, therefore it is the correct answer choice.

The fact he was uncomfortable with sports is a good clue that having a ball thrown his way was something he hated. The correct choice needs to have a negative connotation. Of all the answer choices, only "cowered," which means recoiled or shrunk away in fear, has the appropriate negative sense.