Fill in the Blanks

Statement A suggests that he was quarantined (isolated) because his disease was 'contagious'(2). 'Overwhelming' on replacing blanks in B and C would give a cogent meaning to these sentences. In statement D, Sri Lanka's victory over Australia is resounding (thoroughgoing, complete) and not 'overwhelming'.  Hence, option (3) is the answer as 'overwhelming is used maximum number of times.

Statements A and B would be replaced by 'show' in option (2). Statement C can be replaced either by 'victory' or by 'show' and 'victory' will replace statement D. Therefore, 'show' in option (2) is the answer.

In sentence A, 'minutes' in option (1) replaces the blank. Statement B can be replaced either by 'minutes' or 'days'. When statements C and D are replaced by 'days', it gives a cogent meaning to both the statements. As days has been used maximum number of times, therefore, option (3) is the answer.

'Take a gander' is informal slang meaning to take a look or glance at something. It originates from how geese (ganders) stretch their necks to look around. The correct answer is option A.

'Paddle your own canoe' means to act independently and handle your own affairs without relying on others' help. When everyone refused to help, the speaker had to be self-reliant. Option D is correct.

'You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear' means you cannot create something excellent from poor quality materials. Whitewashing an old house won't transform its fundamental condition. Option C is the correct version of this idiom.

In British slang, calling someone 'a brick' means they are reliable, solid, and dependable - someone you can count on in difficult situations. Option A is correct as it describes someone you can rely on during bad times.

'Dead set against' means being firmly or strongly opposed to something. Albert is completely and stubbornly opposed to the late night parties. Option D correctly completes the sentence with this idiom.

Relinquish means 'to give up'. 

 Truckle and obsequious are synonyms, and they mean 'to behave in a submissive manner'.

 Epitomized means to represent, the most suitable word is 'personification'.

Envinced means to display and is thus, the correct choice.

Foment means to stir up or instigate trouble, making it the only word that logically fits the context of something that could cause trouble leading to a ban. Explode is literal for bombs, apprehend means to arrest, and pry means to inquire nosily.

Gnash means to grind or strike teeth together, often in anger or pain, which is the standard collocation with teeth in descriptions of monsters or angry expressions. Chatter is for cold or fear, cluttered means messy, and chastened means subdued.

Pry into is a set phrase meaning to intrude or inquire nosily into someone's private affairs, which perfectly matches the context of investigating others' lives. Squander means waste, stoop means to lower oneself morally, and pool means to combine resources.