This question requires you to choose which of the answer pairs would most logically fit into the structure of the sentence. The first blank refers to an emotion felt by Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators in response to an action taken by the King’s guard that is described in the second blank. Most of the answer choices do not make logical sense, for example, Guy Fawkes would not be jubilant (which means ecstatic) to know his plans had been discovered. Nor would he be miserable to know his plans had been embellished (to add details or increase the beauty of something). The most logical answer is that Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators would be enraged (made angry) after the guards thwarted (to prevent someone’s plans from being fulfilled) their plans.

The setting of the retirement community strongly suggests that this walk is proceeding at a slower pace, but it could (in theory) be a retirement home for former track stars, so the most important thing here is to look for a pair of words that both communicate a consistent pace. The only pairing that does this is "meander . . . leisurely," as "to meander" means to move aimlessly and leisurely.

The best first clue for answering this question is the subordinate clause "differing from country to country." This describes the second blank, which needs some word indicating this state of differing. To "vary" is to differ from something else. (Related words are "various", "varied", and "variety"). The first blank needs to describe travel that is in some way international. While "internationally" certainly does this, the option "abroad" functions just as well, describing something happening in foreign countries. This option must be chosen, given that "retain" (paired with "internationally") is completely incorrect for the second blank.

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."