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.

The best clue in this sentence is the word "upon," which indicates that the monks apparently came to the city in protest. Likewise, it is important to notice that they came as a "group." Thus, we should say that they gathered together, not that they fled together. The general idea is that they gathered and then all "stormed" the city in protest. The word "congregate" means come together in a crowd.  A church "congregation" is called such because it is a gathering of people.  Based upon its Latin roots, it is literally a "flocking together." The monks gathered and then all together "swarmed"—i.e. moved as one large group—upon the capital city in protest as a swarming group. Swarming insects are so called because they act as a group made up of many individuals.

The astronaut had for a while planned his potential action. Upon choosing to undertake this plan he “executed” it. Although we might think of “execute” as meaning to kill, its primary meaning is to carry out or put into effect. This meaning is almost a direct translation of the Latin roots of the word: “ex-” (out / out of) and “sequi” (to follow). The latter is found in words like “consecutive” and the direct Latin phrase, often used in English, “non sequitur”—something that does not logically follow.

Drilling out of the craft would clearly cause a hole in its hull.  Therefore, it would “rupture it” – a word with Latin roots meaning “to break” and found in similar English words like “disrupt”, “corrupt”, “interrupt”, and “erupt” (among many others).

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.