Fill in the Blanks

Uninterested is not showing inclination; disinterested means impartial.

Bridle means to put into reins or control; bridal means pertaining to the bride.

Dozing is mild sleep; dose is quantity.

Equable means moderate; equitable means socially equal. 

Whither means which side; weather means climate for the day.

To cut corners means to save money or effort by finding cheaper or easier ways to do something.

The idiom 'rub someone the wrong way' means to annoy or irritate someone. When you do this, the person is naturally expected to react negatively. The other options ('send', 'beat', 'encourage') don't form correct idiomatic expressions with 'the wrong way'.

'Rank and file' means the individuals who constitute the body of an organization, society, or nation as distinguished from the leaders.

'Break the ice' is a common idiom meaning to relieve tension or awkwardness in a social situation, often by starting a conversation or making people feel more comfortable. Cracking a joke is a classic way to do this. The other options ('burn', 'melt', 'make') don't form correct idioms.

The phrase 'lock, stock and barrel' means 'everything'. Here it implies that the company was handed over to the new masters completely.

See the answer option, theories can try to explain or predict and not forecast as given in option (2). All three words, aspect, cause and reason can suitably fill second blank to make good sense. Word grasped will make sentence grammatically incorrect. We cannot use term amusing, as there is no tone of humor in the sentence. Therefore, option (4) is correct answer.

The sentence describes someone who 'is reformed' - meaning they have completely given up their past behavior. 'Abjure' means to renounce, reject, or solemnly give up something formerly held. While similar to 'abstain', abjuring implies a stronger, more formal rejection of a past practice or belief, fitting the context of reform.

'Facetious' means treating serious issues with inappropriate or flippant humor - exactly what the sentence describes. 'Facile' means superficial or easy, 'humorous' is general and can be positive, and 'humbug' means nonsense or deception. Only 'facetious' captures the inappropriate, mocking tone unsuitable for a solemn occasion.

'Vituperative' means using or characterized by harsh, abusive, and bitter language - exactly fitting the description of someone making sarcastic, contemptuous comments. 'Berating' is a verb, 'inveighing' is also a verb form, and 'villainous' means evil but doesn't specifically capture the verbal abuse aspect.

'Unscathed' means completely unharmed or without injury - fitting perfectly for infrastructure escaping damage from a natural disaster. 'Undefiled' means morally pure, 'unblemished' means without imperfections, and 'unsullied' means not stained or tarnished. Only 'unscathed' specifically conveys escaping physical harm.