Vocabulary and Synonyms

This idiom describes someone born into a wealthy family, implying privilege and advantage from birth. Silver spoons were traditionally associated with aristocratic households that could afford silver utensils.

Indigenous means originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to an area. It refers to plants, animals, or people that have existed in a region from ancient times, not foreign or introduced.

Inspite of attending the institutions for knowledge in this world, we are still like a child. This implies that the second part of the sentence, though beginning with and is contrary to the first part of the sentence. (Babes - a baby; infant provides the clue). Of all the options, “jejune” (not interesting or satisfying; dull or empty), is the most appropriate choice and replaces the blank. Hence, (3) is the answer.

We know (from our common sense) that the hypothesis of an immaterial soul is indefensible and time has always proved this. We can provide no more proofs to convince anyone. Therefore, “untenable” (that can't be held, defended or maintained) fits our prediction. Moreover, “superfluous” is also in tandem with untenable. Hence, (4) is the answer.

In first part of sentence, “god” means any of various beings conceived of as supernatural, immortal and having special powers over the lives and affairs of people and the course of nature; and this is our traditional god. The author's belief in god seems contrary to the traditional (“broken” and “ceased” gives the clue) concept of god. Therefore, a negative connotation would characterize the blank. Of all the options, “rhetoric” (language that is showy and elaborate but largely empty of clear ideas or sincere emotions; artificial eloquence) when replaces the blank gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (1) is the answer.

When we read literary works of great authors, many times we come across our own deep-rooted thoughts, which either we don't recognize or we tend to reject them. But reading them as other's thoughts; we tend to realize them, though with a certain strange feeling. Therefore “alienated” in (4) would characterize the blank; hence (4) is the answer.

This sentence mentions two points that describe the course of actions of a person who is determined to harm others (deceiver) i.e. a mentally ill person. One is - they present themselves good to those who have less power to judge them (less than discerning) and other is they tactfully present goodness in a negative sense (artfully _____ virtue). Therefore, “extolling” (praising, lauding) in (3) and “burgeoning” (to grow or develop rapidly) are ruled out; being positive connotations. Neither can they “assuage” (to lessen, to calm) virtue nor can they “decresent” (decrease, lessen) virtue; hence options (1) and (5) are ruled out. But they can “burlesque” (to imitate derisively or comically; parody) virtue; which fits their course of action and therefore our prediction. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Since Charlotte was a girl of high and haughty spirit, she would obviously resent being dominated or overpowered by someone. This brings down our answer options to (1), (2) and (5). But 'in spite' of the claims that the man was making, he was still a stranger. This implies that the claims made by the man were 'unfeigned' or 'genuine', but in spite of that he was regarded as a stranger. 'Specious' means phony or deceptive and does not fit well in the above context and 'fabricated' is to make up (a story, reason, lie, etc.); invent and hence doesn't fit our prediction.   Hence, (2) is the answer.

The clue for the two words is ‘led’. The relationship between the two words must be cause and effect. Here, the key is to find a belief in the first instance with its relevant behaviour for the second. Therefore, ‘singular’ in (3) highlights the cause as it means peculiar; strange; and consequently, ‘iconoclastic’ (one who attacks and seeks to destroy widely accepted ideas, beliefs, etc) cites the effect.  Hence, (3) is the answer.

Abnormal means unusual, odd, or deviating from what is normal or expected. When people thought someone's behaviour was abnormal, they found it strange or not typical of normal behaviour.

Abhorrent means causing disgust or hatred, or completely unacceptable. Racism is described as abhorrent to a civilized society because it is fundamentally incompatible with the values of equality and respect that define such a society.

Abide means to follow, comply with, or adhere to rules, laws, or agreements. To abide by the rules of the club means to follow and obey those regulations.

Abrasions are superficial injuries to the skin - scrapes, scratches, or grazes. When someone suffers cuts and abrasions to the face, they've been scratched and scraped. 'Abrogations' refers to repeals of laws, 'absolutions' means forgiveness, and 'absorbance' is a scientific term about light absorption.

Aggression is the correct spelling, using double 'g' and double 's' (ag-gres-sion). The root 'aggress' comes from Latin 'aggredi'. Remember that both the 'g' and 's' are doubled. Common errors include dropping one of either letter.

'And', after superficial, in last part of the sentence gives clue for the second blank; which implies that the blank must be replaced by a word indicating similarity to 'superficial'. Of all these options, ‘pedantic’ in (5) fits our prediction as it is an ostentatious display of knowledge, or an instance of this. Moreover, 'vaunted' (to boast, brag) characterises the first blank, thereby giving a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (5) is the answer.