Sri Lanka: Geography, History & Culture

The context mentions that the cane toads release venom when they encounter potential predators or threats. Antagonized means provoked or stimulated, which triggers the defensive response of releasing venom.

The sentence notes that the writings were famous for their 'eccentricity'. 'Idiosyncratic' means peculiar or eccentric, making it the perfect fit.

Although is used in subordinate clause to present a contrast. It means 'despite the fact'.
According to the context, great care is needed in the scene of crime. So, both 'desirable' and 'required' fit here.
But only 'haste' fits with 'rapid deterioration' in the second blank as it presents a contrast to 'great care'.

The sentence presents the reason for the increased consumption of sugar and its consequence.
"Propel" means to drive or push something forwards. It fits the 1^st blank here. 'Driven' and 'spurred' also fit the 1^st blank.
But only 'lucrative' (profitable) fits the 2^nd blank. So, option 3 is the correct answer.

Lack fits the first blank here. The designer was sought out in spite of his 'lack' of formal training. 'Practical experience' is opposite to 'textbook', so it makes sense in the second blank.

Accuse means to find fault with; blame. So, we need a negative word in the 1st blank.
So, 1, 2 and 3 are eliminated.
Cerebral means characterized by the use of the intellect. It doesn't fit the 2nd blank here.
Vapid means without liveliness or spirit; dull or tedious; boring. So, it fits the 2nd blank.
  

The sentence sets up a contrast or nuance about the federal census. An arcane method implies it is obscure or understood by few, while a sensitive political issue explains why it matters for funding.

All the options are correct for the 1^st blank, but only 'chronically' fits the context for the 2^nd blank here.
'Perpetually' is too strong a word here. 'Barely', 'slightly' and 'never' are contrary to the context here.

Correct Answer: varied, voluminous
The phrase 'shelf after shelf of titles on every subject' indicates that there were many shelves and they were all filled with books on different subjects. This implies that library must have numerous (voluminous) books on many subjects (varied). This context is best found in option 3. 

Options 1, 3 and 5 fit the 1st blank.
Tripartite means divided into or consisting of three parts. It fits with 'division of society into church, aristocracy and commoners' as three divisions have been mentioned here.

Correct Answer: thirst, unlikey
From the sentence, it is clear that the first blank requires a word which means need. The need for energy has led to people looking for alternate sources of energy in unlikely places. Thus, only option two fits. Need or thirst for energy and unlikely fit the blanks correctly.

The second part of the sentence explains what is said in the first part. 'Peasants, bourgeoisie and artisans' all come under 'manorial' (in England) a landed estate or territorial unit, originally of the nature of a feudal lordship, consisting of a lord's demesne and of lands within which he has the right to exercise certain privileges, exact certain fees, etc.
Moreover, 'discontent' is expressed in a 'demonstration' and its not an uprising, rebellion or excursion. So, option 5 is the correct answer.

Only a 'doctor' prescribes a medicine. So, only 'doctor' fits the second blank.
If you 'continue to favor the use of something', it will be used more. So, 'continue' fits the 1st blank.

Correct Answer: compete, periphery
With an art explosion, a number of new galleries have sprung up and are scattered in and around London. This means there is a lot of competition and as 'with' has been mentioned, only 'compete' will come in the first blank. So, the old downtown galleries compete with the new ones in areas outside downtown. The word periphery means on the outer edge and thus, suits this sentence well.

"Improving" and "hospitable" do not fit with 'challenges' here. So, 2 and 3 are eliminated.
Only 'adaptable to' fits with 'changing circumstances' in the 2^nd blank. So, option 1 is the correct answer.
Moreover, 'dynamic' means characterized by constant change, activity or progress. So, it fits the best with 'changing circumstances'.

Correct Answer: precepts, fundamentally
With rationalist philosophy, only precepts, meaning doctrine or instruction, fits correctly. For the second blank, fundamentally fits correctly. Freud did not believe that man was basically a rational creature.

The sentence describes a chain reaction where one problem leads to another. 'Interrelated' accurately describes this causal connection.

Opium and morphine are chemical substances extracted from the poppy plant. 'Derived from' is the correct phrase to describe this origin.

The sentence contrasts affluent nations with poor ones. If birth control is more prevalent in affluent nations, population growth should be lower or 'more restrained' there.

A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils of ancient life forms and prehistoric times. Testing a theory about prehistoric men and mammoth meat aligns directly with the field of paleontology.

A 'lackluster' performance explains the criticism, and a 'harangue' is a long, aggressive speech, which fits the athlete's angry response.

Correct Answer: quickly, dexterity
The key words are 'apprentice' and 'improving skills'. With these words, only options 1 and 3 fit. But as the person is still improving his skills, 'mastery' does not fit. So, option 1 is the correct answer.

The list of various theater styles (slapstick, satire, tragedy, farce) indicates a wide variety of forms. 'Multifarious' means having many varied parts or aspects.

Astronomers use observed irregularities to conclude that other planets exist. 'Infer' is the correct term for drawing a conclusion based on evidence.

The company wants to settle the matter quickly to avoid it getting worse. 'Escalate' and 'scandal' fit the context of a growing, negative situation perfectly.

The rapid expansion and heavy debt mentioned as a metaphor reflect the excessive and careless financial behavior of the 1920s. Recklessness accurately captures this lack of caution and financial overextension.

Rapid expansion leads to urban sprawl, long commutes, and severe air pollution, which prompts government threats to withhold highway funds as a penalty. The words expansion and withhold fit the cause-and-effect relationship logically.