Sentence Completion

The verb 'cater' means to provide what is needed or desired, which fits the context of a bookstore serving various tastes.

The infinitive 'to' follows the blank. Hence, pandering is the only option which fits. Pandeing means to give someone what they want, although it may not be good or right for them

In this context, the speaker is talking about lessening or mitigating fears. 'Reduce' fits naturally to describe making fears smaller or less intense.

The verb 'ascribed' means to attribute something to a cause, which is the correct usage when linking a defeat to tactical errors.

Anonymity refers to the state of being unknown, which is a common characteristic associated with living in a large city. Obscurity implies being forgotten or unimportant, while distinctiveness contradicts the typical experience of city life.

Assailed means to attack violently, which fits the context of furious criticism. Hailed means to cheer or acclaim, which is the opposite of criticism.

Assent is the correct verb meaning to express agreement or approval, typically used with the preposition to. Accept and approve do not take the preposition to in this context.

Assuage means to make an unpleasant feeling less intense, such as fears or pain. While soothe is a synonym, assuage is the more precise formal term for mitigating abstract fears.

To cast aspersions is a standard idiomatic expression meaning to make critical or disparaging remarks about someone. Slanders is a noun that does not fit the phrase structure.

Bane refers to a cause of great distress or annoyance. In the context of lifestyle diseases in urban life, bane is the appropriate term for a negative consequence.

Awry is an adverb or adjective meaning away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course. The phrase gone awry is a standard collocation.

This is a second conditional sentence, which expresses a hypothetical situation. The structure requires would in the main clause.

Blighted means to have a deleterious effect on or to spoil. It is commonly used to describe careers or lives damaged by external factors like injury.

When comparing two people, the comparative form of the adjective is used. Cleverer is the correct comparative form for clever.

When referring to more than two items, none is used to indicate that not one of the items was liked. Neither is used only for two items.

The verb congratulate is followed by the preposition on when referring to the reason for the congratulation.

Superlative adjectives, such as greatest, are preceded by the definite article the.

Chagrin is a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or humiliation. It fits perfectly in the phrase to his great chagrin.

Cloying describes a scent or taste that is excessively sweet or rich to the point of being sickening. It is the most precise adjective for this context.

The phrase overwhelmed with is the standard idiomatic construction used to describe being filled with an intense emotion like grief.

Circumscribed means to restrict or limit something within boundaries. This is the most accurate term for describing how responsibility limits individual freedom.

Discomfited means to make someone feel uneasy, embarrassed, or confused. It is the correct term for feeling uncomfortable due to someone's presence.

Portents are signs or warnings that something is likely to happen. The question asks if dreams are signs of future events.

When modifying a comparative adjective (older), the adverb much is used to indicate a large degree of difference.