Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks.

The village headman was unlettered, but he was no fool, he could see through the _____ of the businessman’s proposition and promptly ______ him down.

Sophistry means the use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving. This fits perfectly with a village headman who could see through a businessman's false proposition. 'Turned down' is the correct phrasal verb meaning to reject an offer or proposal. The businessman's deceptive (sophistry) proposition was recognized and subsequently rejected (turned down) by the wise headman.