The word “velleity” means really a passing, though not wholly motivating, wish. (It is like the attitude of saying, “I like it but can take or leave it”). It is related to words like “volitional” and “voluntary,” which are derived from Latin roots meaning “to will, wish, or want.”

The key word in the second sentence is “meaning.” The opposition implied is that many judge such questioners as doubting that there is any meaning to life at all. To be “nihilistic” means literally to believe in nothing. The word “nihil” in Latin means “nothing” and is found likewise in the word “annihilate.”

The key word here is “otherness.” The word “alterity” is not at all common, but with a bit of elimination and etymology, you can guess it. If you see that “otherness” is key, you will realize that really none of the other answers imply that state of affairs. (Indeed, many of them imply relationship and dependence—quite literally in one case). The “alter-” in “alterity” comes from the Latin meaning “other” or “another.” When you “alter” something, you make it to be “another.” Likewise, someone’s “alter ego” is their “other personality;” therefore, “alter+ity” is “the state of being other” (that is, distinguished from someone else).

The “-let” suffix gives you what is called the “diminutive form” or the “smaller form.” Think here of the difference between “pig” and “piglet”—the latter is a small pig. A “circlet” is a small circle, or, more specifically, one that would be a crown (though small). Sometimes, however, the word is used to describe any small circular object—like one around the candle in this sentence.

Here, we have to have a particular bit of vocabulary, but elimination can help. You should suspect that something is being hinted by the inclusion of the Middle Ages in the remark. Deeds and contracts are much more modern terms (even if they apply analogously to former days). Do not be tempted by “codices” or “scrolls” because they sound more ancient.  They are too general. The word “cartulary” fits best (actually having the very specific meaning that fits this case). It is related to words like “charter” and this, coupled with the realization of the other words’ deficiencies, should lead you to this answer.

Someone who is a “knave” has no “scruples” (no reservations or qualms of conscience) about doing something. Although it might be tempting to see “dissimulator” as a potential answer, note that we cannot say that Robert’s character is such as to conceal his personality (though he might do that). All that is implied is that he is rather immoral—and “knave” best fits this.

Although every one of these answers is tempting, the clear indication is the fact that Maurice knows he will be doing “battle.” One who is an “antagonist” is clearly an adversary—it is even stronger than “critic.” The word is made up of two bases that you likely recognize. The “anti-” is the same “anti” meaning “against” in expressions like “anti-slavery” and “anticoagulant.” The “agon” comes from Greek roots meaning “to struggle” and is found rather closely in “protagonist” (the main character in a story) and even in words like “agony.”

The sense of our sentence is that many people think that one law overrides antecedent laws.  (This is brought out by the counterfactual “when in fact . . .”). Although perhaps “destruction” or “denunciation” sound good, “revocation” is a much closer word, meaning “to call back” or “to end the binding force of something.” It comes from roots that are very familiar. “Re-,” in addition to meaning “again” likewise means “back,” and the “-voc-” can be found in many words about “calling” or “speaking” such as “vocation,” “vocal,” and “advocate.”

The one key word to note is “change,” which gives some specificity to the lycanthrope’s action. (A lycanthrope is another werewolf.  You do not need to know this in order to answer, though it would help). The best word for “change” is the word “transmute,” which means “to change in form.” Even if you did not know it at first, its meaning could be guessed by looking at its parts. We know “trans-” means “across” and “-mute” is related to words like “mutation” (which implies change). To “trans+mute” is to change “across” from one form to another.

The gadfly is an annoying stinging fly, and when this is used to describe a person, it is meant to imply that said person is a “stinging” annoyance to others (perhaps for their own good, even if it is not noticed).

Socrates was the “gadfly of Athens” because he questioned many people regarding things that they took for granted without any real intelligible basis, and in Greek myth, the gadfly was sent to sting the Pegasus when it was carrying an arrogant human rider in an attempted flight to the heavens. (Thus, a gadfly can also sting those who arrogantly think they know it all and are soaring to godlike knowledge).