Vocabulary and Synonyms

 Palaver means talking unnecessarily and at length. So, idle talk defines it.

Asperity means roughness, harshness, or severity of manner, temper, or surface. It can refer to physical roughness or harshness in speech or behavior. Option A correctly provides this comprehensive definition.

Equanimity means mental calmness, composure, or evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. It comes from Latin 'aequanimis' meaning 'even mind'. Option B correctly identifies this state of calmness.

Impervious means unable to be affected by; impenetrable or resistant to penetration. It can refer to being unaffected by outside influences or physically impenetrable. Option D correctly gives 'Impenetrable' as the definition.

Ineffectual means not producing the desired effect; without effect or useless. It refers to something that fails to achieve its intended result. Option B correctly identifies 'Without effect' as the meaning.

Auspicious means favorable, conducive to success, or fortunate. It often refers to signs or circumstances that indicate good things will happen. Option A correctly provides 'Fortunate' as the primary meaning.

Temerarious means recklessly bold or rash; showing a lack of caution. It refers to taking unnecessary risks or being foolhardy. Option A correctly gives 'Reckless; rash' as the definition.

Perdurable means very durable, long-lasting, or enduring for a long time. It combines 'per-' (thoroughly) with 'durable'. Option A correctly identifies 'Long lasting' as the meaning.

Cosmopolite means a person who is cosmopolitan - sophisticated, worldly, or at home in all parts of the world. It refers to someone with broad, international outlook and experience. Option A correctly defines it as 'A cosmopolitan person'.

Factitious means artificial or not genuine - something made or created rather than natural. 'Factitious' comes from Latin meaning 'made by art' or 'artificial'. Option C (Artificial) is the correct answer. Genuine (B) is actually an antonym of factitious.

Relegate means to assign someone or something to a lower or inferior position or rank. It implies being demoted or moved down in importance. Option D 'To assign to an inferior position' is correct. Upgrading (B) is the opposite of relegating.

 The adjective dissolute means unrestrained. If you're a dissolute person, you indulge in gambling, drugs, and drinking and don't care if others disapprove.

Sedentary means characterized by much sitting and little physical activity. Of the options, 'sitting' directly captures this meaning. Clerical work may be sedentary, but the word itself refers to the sitting lifestyle, not the job type.

Scrupulous means having moral integrity, being thorough, and paying great attention to details. Punctilious means showing great attention to detail, which is the closest synonym among the options. Niggling is too petty, while fault-finding and selfish don't capture the positive sense of scrupulous.

Siblings are brothers and sisters of the same parents. 'Brother or sister' directly captures this meaning. 'Blood relation' and 'relative' are too broad, while 'baby at the breast' refers specifically to an infant, not siblings in general.