Given that neither party is remaining silent, clearly the argument is happening in the open. Therefore, the options for “simmering” and “smoldering” are likely inapplicable for the specific needs. Now, the sense is that each party in the argument is trying to outdo the other one by way of insults. Such an argument, continually becoming more heated and worse, is best said to be “escalating.” The word is related to “escalator,” indicating that something is “going upward,” generally in the metaphorical sense of “becoming more intense.”

The sense of the sentence is one of opposition (because of the word “however”). The pair “invigorated  . . . languishing” captures this best. To be “invigorated” is to be given energy. Looking at the word, you can see the two parts: in + vigor, which roughly could be translated to put strength into. To “languish” is to lose strength or vigor. It comes from a Latin root that is likewise found in words related to “lax,” in the sense of being “loose.” Another related word is “languid,” meaning showing little energy for exertion.

For the first blank, we can infer that we're looking for a word that means something like "declared." Either "decreed" ("ordered something by decree") or "announced" ("make a public and typically formal declaration about a fact, occurrence, or intention") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "increase," because we know that the king plans to order the addition of new trebuchets and increase the walls' height. Either "bolster" ("support or strengthen; prop up") or "supplement" ("add an extra element or amount to") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "decreed" and "bolster" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "decreed . . . bolster."

One clue as to which word should go in the first blank is that the daughter fears not having long talks but will still be able to. This tells us that the word that goes in the first blank should somehow involve relieving fears. "Mollify," "dissipate," and "assuage" could each work. "Assuring" is the only word choice for the second blank which involves positive reinforcement, though, so "assuaged . . . assuring" is the correct answer.

The first blank requires one to consider what people do at work. "Accomplish" means achieve or complete, and a lot of jobs involve completing tasks, so this makes sense. In the second part of the sentence, "reunited" is the answer choice that makes the most sense because the holiday break would give Charles some time off to see his family.

"Bristle at" means show anger or indignation in response to something, while "bilking" means cheating, defrauding, or swindling. Because Elizabeth was not a thief, it is natural that she would be indignant at the idea of swindling her clients our of their money.

In this double-blank sentence, start with the first blanks since the verbs given for the first blanks may be more familiar to you.

The answer “endeavored . . . pilfer” sounds possible because the word endeavored means worked or planned but you might not know what pilfer means. Since the one word does work, key this answer for now.

“Feigned . . . revere” may seem impossible if you do not know what feigned means but revere sounds like reverent or reverence meaning praise. This sentence sounds like something went wrong due to the phrase “much to his dismay”.

“Collaborated . . . scam” might fit well because the sentence says “the eager collectors will negotiate, compete and cooperate” which is to collaborate. Even if you do not know that scam means fool or trick, keep this answer as a possibility.

“Declined . . . upbraid” starts out well since declined would be the opposite to what the sentence is explaining which fits with “much to his total dismay”. You may not know what upbraid means but keep this answer as a possibility.

“Conspired . . . reimburse”: Conspire does mean to work together as the sentence indicates but possibly in a negative way which also seems to work. But why would the collectors reimburse or pay the antiques dealer back his money?

Of all the possible answers offered, “collaborated . . . scam” seems to work best.

As you begin to think about this sentence, try using some of your own words in the blanks to understand the meaning of the sentence: The scientists doubted the credibility that such an offering would help literacy in general.

The meaning seems to be based on cause and effect: whatever word the first blank needs, and notice that the answer choices for the first blank are all verbs, is related to the word needed in the second blank. So we need two action words that form a cause and effect relationship.

The answer choice, extolled . . . denigrate, offers words that begin with prefixes indicating “out”, “down” or “away” as in expel, excommunicate, deny or debase. Yet the words excellent, extend and extrovert are positive words so perhaps the first word could work but we may be unsure about the second one.

“Touted . . . invigorate” seems possible since the first word sounds like shouted, tooted or hooted which mean something similar to celebrated. “Invigorate” includes the noun “vigor” which sounds like vigorous and vigilant indicating life and alertness. This seems like the best answer.

The answer “mitigated . . . squander” does not seem to fit well since “mitigated” is a word sometimes heard in legal discussions and sounds like meeting or to moderate. The word “squander” sounds like wander, which could be just coincidence, but it does indicate the negative action of wastefulness.

“Equivocated . . . quagmire” is interesting because the root “equi” indicates balance which may suggest that the scientists were trying to assess the balance of the interdisciplinary offering. Yet “equivocated” usually means to mislead in a negative direction. “Quagmire” sounds like quandary which is a problem or question. It also includes “mire”; to be mired down means to get bogged down. Let’s keep looking.

“Denigrated . . . enmesh” sounds like a negative answer since “deni” seems very like deny and the prefix “en” means surround as in enclose, envelope or entertain.

"Vacillate" means to waver, hesitate or be indecisive. "Interject" means to say something abruptly, especially as an interruption. The word "between" provides a strong clue that the boy was having a hard time deciding, and the end of the sentence provides a clue that the second word should involve interrupting the boy. So, "vacillated . . . interjected" is the correct answer because it best fits the context of the sentence.

That the Emancipation Proclamation resulted in energy tells us that the word should involve inspiring someone. "Galvanize" means stimulate or stir to action. That the British were considering doing something on the Confederate's behalf tells us that the second word should involve doing something for someone else. "Intercede" means intervene on behalf of someone else. So, the correct answer is "galvanized . . . interceding."