For the first blank, we know that smelling brownies might encourage one to break a rule that states "no dessert before dinner," so Sam must have found it difficult to listen to that rule. So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "listen." Either "adhere" ("stick fast to a surface or substance," "believe in and follow the practices of," or "represent truthfully and in detail") or "obey" ("behave in accordance with") could be correct. For the second blank, we need to pick a verb that can describe the movement of a scent in the air; either "wafted" ("passed or caused to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air") or "drifted" ("be carried slowly by a current of air or water") could be correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "adhere" and "wafted" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "adhere . . . wafted."

For the first blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "giving way to," because we know that "Mary decided to . . . eat a few [cookies] despite the fact that she was on a diet." Either "succumbing to" ("failing to resist (pressure, temptation, or some other negative force)") or "yielding to" ("giving way to arguments, demands, or pressure") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "enjoy oneself," and either "splurge" ("to indulge oneself extravagantly") or "indulge" ("allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "succumbing to" and "splurge" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "succumbing to . . . splurge."

For the first blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "used," because we know that Sam must have used energy "when he dashed down the sidewalk." Either "exerted" ("put oneself into action or to tiring effort") or "used up" could be correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "interrupt," because we know that Sam's goal was to prevent John from arriving home before his surprise party was set up. Either "stopped" or "intercepted" ("stopped, seized, or interrupted in progress or course or before arrival") could be correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "exerted" and "intercepted" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "exerted . . . intercepted."

Although "to hate" and "to cultivate" are both appropriate words, however the verb tense is not proper grammar for the context of the sentence. The other options do not make sense with the sentence structure, so the correct answer, which give the sentence the correct meaning, is "despised . . . motivated," since "to despise" means to hate or strongly dislike, while "to motivate" means to encourage or push to do something. 

For the first blank, we can infer that we need to pick out a verb that means something like "ruin the reputation of," because we know that the reporter exposed the newspaper's corruption. Either "demonize" ("portray as wicked and threatening") or "vilify" ("speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a word that means something like "write things intended to damage one's reputation," so either "slandering" ("making false and damaging statements about (someone)") or "disparaging" ("regarding or representing as being of little worth") could be correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "vilify" and "slandering" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "vilify . . . slandering."

For the first blank, we need to pick out a verb that can describe the movement of moths around a lamp post. Either "flitted" ("move swiftly and lightly") or "darted" ("move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly") could be correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a verb that can describe how a lamppost generates and disperses light. Either "emanated" ("originate from; be produced by") or "emitted" ("produce and discharge (something, especially gas or radiation)") could be correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "flitted" and "emanated" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "flitted . . . emanated."

We can infer that for the first blank, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "decrease rapidly," because we know that the company "was relieved" "after refusing to merge with their rival business." Either "tank" (informally: " fail completely, especially at great financial cost") or "plummet" ("decrease rapidly in value or amount") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out a verb that means something like "escaped," because by not merging with their rival business which soon had its profits decrease, the company had escaped "a potential disaster." Either "evaded" ("escaped or avoided, especially by cleverness or trickery") or "avoided" could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "tank" and "evaded" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "tank . . . evaded."

For the first blank, we need to pick out a verb that describes the process by which "[a] flour mixture" can become "bread dough." Either "kneaded" ("worked moistened flour or clay into dough or paste with the hands") or "worked" could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "cooked" to describe the casserole is doing in the oven. Either "simmered" ("of water or food: stayed just below the boiling point while being heated") or "stewed" ("with reference to meat, fruit, or other food: cook or be cooked slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "kneaded" and "simmered" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "kneaded . . . simmered."

If this restaurant's popularity has increased, we would expect it to be difficult to reserve a table for the same night; conversely, if its popularity has declined, it would be relatively easy to get a same-day reservation. The end of the sentence ("we were able to") tells us that the latter scenario (diminished popularity/ better odds of getting a reservation) is the case here. For the first blank, either "waned" or "ebbed" would fit, as these are synonyms meaning decreased. "Secure" and "procure" in the second blank would both mean that you were able to obtain a reservation. "Proffer" (offer) would not make sense. Thus, the pairing of waned/secure is the correct answer.

For this sentence, the general sense is that the gold was removed from stones in which it was mixed with other metals. Of all the possible options, the “melting, mixed” pair is perhaps the most tempting. This is a trap, for the sentence provides no hints regarding the process of this removal. The best option is “extracting” for removal, for it literally means “to draw (or drag) out.” The word “tractor” comes from the same root word in Latin, and there are many other related English words like “attract,” “detract,” and “contract.” The word “alloyed” means “mixed” as in the metal brass, which is an “alloy” of copper and zinc.