Vocabulary and Synonyms

The prefix 'tachy-' (often misspelled as 'achy' in this context) comes from Greek and means fast or rapid, as seen in words like tachycardia.

Scream means to utter a shrill, loud, piercing cry in fright, pain, etc. It is the most dramatic.

A suggests that actions are mightier, whereas D suggests otherwise.

A lexicon is a vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge, often organized in a dictionary format.

A gamut is the complete range or scope of something.

An adage is a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or piece of advice, commonly known as a proverb.

A malady is a disease or ailment.

To be beleaguered means to be in a difficult situation or to be surrounded by problems or enemies.

Peevish means having or showing an irritable disposition, especially in reaction to minor annoyances.

Coercion is the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats, which is a form of pressure.

Redundant means not or no longer needed or useful, which is synonymous with superfluous.

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.   

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