"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.

Because the chef is praised by reviewers, he is doing something to help the flavor of his food. Find the answer choice that means "help" or "improve," which is enhanced. You can also rule out "harmed" and "negated," as they give the same meaning to the sentence.

"Blandish" means coax by using flattery. Robert tried to flatter the young musician, but she was not going to fall for it.

"Constrained" means restricted. Restricted by his belief in nonviolence, Gandhi knew he had to find another way to achieve his goals.

To "discredit" is to harm the reputation of or to disgrace.

"Abdicate" means give up royal power. Since the king had created a scandal with his infidelity or disloyalty, he would likely given up the crown. “Beatify” means make extremely happy or make a saint, “descend” means lower, and “tarnish” means lessen in value—none of which logically answer the question.