Our clues are “distant and . . . very different” in this single blank question. Since you probably will not know all the meanings of the answer choices, you must use any clues within the sentence to help you. 

“Spontaneous” does not mean “distant and . . . very different”. “Affable” looks and sounds like affect, approachable or affinity which all have something to do with feelings so it does not seem to match with “distant”. “Pedestrian” may be a word you know from taking Latin or from life experiences; the word root “ped” means foot in Latin and “pedestrian walkway” means a place to walk or a common walkway.

“Aloof” sounds like aloft, roof or above which might match up well with “distant” but “furtive” means untrustworthy. You may not know this meaning and there are no good clues; what to do?  Choose “aloof” since you are quite sure that it works.

Both her sickness and her stay out of the sun indicate the subject was left pale and sickly, the very definition of “pallid.” “Cherubic,” "healthful," and “rosy”” are also all synonyms to each other, which is a good way to eliminate answer choices. 

The boss’ discussion in front of experts reveals he is speaking out of arrogance rather than a position of actual knowledge. “Brilliant” and “inquisitive” both indicate actual levels of knowledge, while “incompetent” and "illogical" do not indicate the appropriate arrogance.

As the sisters are avoiding their morther’s analysis, it is safe to assume the analysis is negative. Of the choices, “scrupulous,” meaning careful and diligent, is the only answer choice that is negative in context.

The guidelines the new sergeant’s demands provided are strict, meaning he was forceful and clear in what he asked.  “Lackluster” and “uninspiring” do not have enough sense of clarity, while “negotiable” and "flexible" are not strict enough adjectives to fit the sentence.

As the young men avoid her, the elderly woman obviously dislikes modern dating habits, which rules out “approving” and “laudatory” as possible correct answers.  Similarly, the young men’s unwillingness to talk indicates she was not “inquisitive,” or "curious." “Censorious,” meaning stern and critical, is the only possible correct answer.

The interviewee’s long hair and casual dress stand opposite to the button down setting.  Look for the answer that means “opposite” or “contrasting.”  Only “incongruous” is a synonym of “opposite.”

The fact that the two people in the sentence are rivals, and that uneasiness is always a bad thing, mean the correct answer must indicate something quite strong. The only such word is "palpable," as all the other words have a lightness to them which is inappropriate in the sentence.

The country club wanted nothing to happen to their bylaws, and wanted to defend them at all costs. "Inconsistent," "unimportant," "appropriate," and "inconsequential" all have too light a meaning.

The key word for this sentence is in the last phrase, “story.” Of all the answer choices, only “anecdotal” means from a story.