The key phrase in this sentence is, "who in turn similarly." This phrase indicates that Robert similarly abhors Marty. To "abhor" someone is to greatly hate that person. The only synonym that is provided for abhor is "detest," which means dislike strongly. Such enmity is apparently shared by both parties, meaning that it is "mutual," that is, held in common.

We can infer from the fact that the sentence is discussing a pickpocket that we need a verb for the first blank that means something like "steal." Of the possible answer choices, two mean "steal": "pilfer" and "nab." The second blank needs an adjective to describe the man that paid attention to his surroundings and did not have anything stolen, so we need an adjective that means something like "alert." Either "vigilant" ("keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties") or "attentive" ("paying close attention to something") could be correct. Of the four word we've identified as possibly correct answers, only two line up in a single answer choice: "pilfer" and "vigilant." So, "pilfer . . . vigilant" is the correct answer.

For the first blank, we need to pick out a word that describes how the pirates spent their money in a way that was not beneficial. Either "wasted" or "squandered" ("wasted something, especially money or time, in a reckless and foolish manner") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we know that the pirates wasted their money by buying the swords referred to because those swords were not sharpened. So, we need to pick out a word that means "not sharpened"; either "dull" (when used of a blade, "blunt") or "blunt" (when used of a blade, "having a worn-down edge or point; not sharp") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "squandered" and "blunt" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "squandered . . . blunt."

The implication of this sentence is that the small town did not receive direct sunlight during the given period of time. This does not necessarily mean that it was rainy, snowing, or anything else. All that can be said is that it was likely to have been very cloudy (as is further hinted by the remarks about the clouds later). Thus, the word "overcast", which means covered with clouds, is the best option for the first blank. The second word, "parted," describes the spreading out of the clouds, which would have allowed light finally to shine on the town. (The "part" in someone's hair is the place where the strands spread in one of two directions.  The scalp under the part itself is often rather exposed.)

Because the actress accused the magazine "of publishing a . . . story about her that was full of lies and hurt her public image," we can infer that the magazine had to correct or take back its claims. So, we need to pick out an answer choice for the first blank that means something like "correct" or "take back." Either "retract" ("withdraw a statement or accusation as untrue or unjustified") or "withdraw" ("say that a statement one has made is untrue or unjustified") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out an adjective to describe the magazine's story that means something like "false" or "hurtful to one's public image." Either "libelous" ("containing an untrue written statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone") or "defamatory" ("of remarks, writing, etc. : damaging the good reputation of someone; slanderous or libelous") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "retract" and "libelous" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "retract . . . libelous."

Since the house is described as having "dusty rooms, loose boards, and broken windows," we know that we need an adjective for the first blank that means something like run-down or dreary. "Dilapidated" (in poor condition) and "dour" (gloomy) could each work in the first blank.

So, for the second blank, we need to choose between "feigned" and "capitulated," and we're looking for a verb that means faked. Since "feigned" means pretended to feel and "capitulated" means surrendered, "feigned" is the better choice and the answer is "dilapidated . . . feigned."

The sentence's context clue that the baby's crying disturbs Eric enough to send him to the library gives a strong hint that the word for the first blank should involve high frequency or volume. "Persistent" and "hysterical" could each be correct, as "persistent" would indicate that the crying is constant and "piercing" would indicate that it is loud. In the latter portion of the sentence, the fact that Eric goes to the library tells us that his studying is not going well, and in this context, saying that he cannot "concentrate," or focus one's attention on something makes the most sense. So, the correct answer is "persistent . . . concentrate."

That the teacher sent a note home "describing the interruptions caused by the student during class time" suggests that the student's behavior was bad and unjustified, and therefore "inexcusable." The teacher presumably "reprimanded" (scolded) him for his behavior and then sent the note home to his parents. So, the correct answer is "inexcusable . . . reprimand."

In sentences with two blanks it is important to ensure that the meaning of the two blanks work with one another, as well as with the sentence as a whole. From the context of the sentence it is clear that the second blank must be a form of behavior that would get Alice fired. Comely means cute and mandatory required so those two answer choices could be ruled out. Histrionic means dramatic, but being fired from her job would be unlikely to make Alice feel reinforced so we can rule out that option. Merciless means cruel and without mercy, but again being fired is not going to make Alice feel jubilant. That leaves us with only despondent and debauched. Despondent means upset or disappointed, which is a normal reaction to being fired and debauched means wicked or lurid. This answer choice fits.

This sentence explains the relationship between the two blanks by saying that the second opinion is much stronger than the first opinion. This means that the two blanks both have to focus on the same general principle and that the second is an exaggeration of the first. The correct answer is insufferable . . . reprehensible. Insufferable means annoying and unbearable,and reprehensible means very bad and immoral;both are negative implications and the second is stronger opinion than the first. Petulant usually refers to someone ill-tempered, but worthy means someone deserving of praise so that does not fit. Erratic means difficult to predict, which does not match with regressive. Cursory which means done superficially does not fit comfortably into the sentence. Prosaic means ordinary,which also does not fit comfortably.