Vocabulary and Synonyms

A dilemma is a situation where you have to choose between two difficult alternatives, creating uncertainty or confusion. The context perfectly fits: the speaker was interested in science, but hearing its drawbacks has created uncertainty about whether to pursue it. 'Diplomatic situation', 'right direction', or 'wrong direction' don't capture this state of being torn between choices.

Reserved in social contexts means holding back, being quiet, or not freely expressing emotions/thoughts. An introvert is someone who gains energy from solitude and tends to be quiet in groups. The context 'doesn't talk much' directly supports this interpretation. 'Reluctant' implies unwillingness rather than temperament, 'arrogant' suggests superiority, and 'cheesy' is completely unrelated.

Violation in this context means the act of breaking or disregarding rules/rights. A breach is exactly that - a breaking of or failure to observe a law, agreement, or standard of conduct. 'Intervention' means to come between, 'adherence' means following (the opposite), and 'loyalty' means faithfulness (also opposite to violation).

Envious means feeling or showing jealousy - wanting what someone else has. The context of competitors being envious of her success perfectly captures this emotion. 'Proud' would describe the person herself feeling good about achievement, 'supportive' means helping, and 'ambitious' describes drive but not the comparative feeling toward others.

Circumspect means wary, careful, or checking carefully before acting. After failure due to negligence (carelessness), becoming overly cautious makes perfect sense as a corrective response. 'Overly lenient' (permissive), 'overly casual' (relaxed), or 'overly reckless' (careless) are the opposite of what circumspect means.

Gait specifically means a person's manner of walking - their unique walking style or pattern. The context of recognizing someone from their gait implies the person's way of walking is distinctive enough for identification. 'Style', 'clothes', and 'fashion' are too general - gait is specifically about walking.

Eccentric means unconventional, slightly strange, or not following the norm. Having an unusual collection (like many cats) is a classic example of eccentric behavior. 'Choosy' means selective, 'conventional' means following norms (opposite), and 'rational' means logical - eccentricity is about unconventionality, not logic.

Austere means severely simple, strict, or without comfort/luxury. Monks choosing to live without worldly pleasures is the perfect example of an austere lifestyle. 'Rich' is the opposite, 'indigent' means poor (austere is a choice about simplicity, not necessarily poverty), and 'interesting' is unrelated.

The word 'skinny' in this context is being used to describe someone who is extremely thin in a way that appears unhealthy. The phrase 'malnourished and starved' provides important context that this is negative thinness, not fashionably thin. 'Unattractively thin' best captures this negative connotation.

Correct; the word means ' to make amends for' which makes the sentence meaningful

Correct ;the word means ' travelling from place to place for relatively short periods ' and it is correct answer because the person who believes that graves travel can hardly be sane.

Correct; we need a word opposite to 'ruffled-----------' because of the conjunction 'but' .Hence the right word

(B) Dissipate is to waste; others are to condemn.

Eminent means famous; Imminent means soon to happen.