Fill in the Blanks

 Deeply is correct because it accurately describes the depth of resentment. Desperately is wrong because resentment is not something that is felt desperately. Dent is physical damage to an object such as a car in which an impression is made. Discretion refers to discreet. 

"Cast about" means to search or look around, often in a confused or uncertain way. When someone "casts about desperately" for words, they're urgently trying to think of what to say. Discretion and disgrace are nouns, while dent doesn't make sense in this context.

A "colourful past" is an idiom that means an interesting, eventful, or sometimes dramatic history. When describing an island's history, "colourful" suggests it's rich with events and stories. Competitive and compatible don't convey this sense, while cocky means arrogant.

"Make a dent" is an idiom meaning to reduce or deplete something, usually money or resources. A "nasty dent in our finances" means the lawyer's fees will significantly reduce our money. Disgrace, drill, and dismay don't fit this context.

"Shame and disgrace" is a common collocation meaning dishonor, loss of respect, or humiliation brought upon someone. disgrace specifically refers to the loss of respect or honor. Drill, dent, and dismay don't pair with shame in this way.

 The correct answer is discretion because it describes the power or right to decide.

"To one's dismay" is an idiom meaning to someone's shock, disappointment, or distress. When someone tells you bad news "to your dismay," it means the news causes you strong negative emotions. Disgrace and dent don't fit, while drill is unrelated.

Decently means adequately, properly, or fairly. When people are "paid fairly decently," they're receiving reasonable or good wages. Deliberately means intentionally, deeply suggests intensity, desperately implies urgency, and distinctly means clearly.

Deliberately means intentionally or on purpose. When someone does something "deliberately to provoke" you, they're doing it with the specific intention of annoying or upsetting you. Deeply refers to intensity, discretion is a noun, and desperately implies urgency.

Click means to make a short, sharp sound by bringing two hard surfaces into contact. When someone "clicks her finger and thumb together," they're making this sound. Clung means to hold tightly, clutched means to grasp, and chuckled means to laugh quietly.

Drill can mean a procedure, routine, or method of doing something. A "drill for claiming expenses" refers to the established process or procedure for submitting expense claims. Disgrace, dent, and dismay don't make sense in this context.

Chuckled means to laugh quietly or to oneself, often expressing amusement. When someone "chuckles with glee," they're laughing quietly with great delight or amusement. Clung means to hold tightly, clutched means to grasp, and clicked refers to making a sharp sound.

Clutch means to grasp or seize something tightly. When someone throws a rope to you, you would clutch it to secure your grip. Clung typically requires 'to' (clung to something), while clicked and chuckled don't make sense in the context of grabbing a rope.

Bring off is a phrasal verb meaning to succeed in doing something difficult. The sentence describes completing a difficult task, which matches the meaning of bringing something off. Bring up means to raise a topic, bring out means to reveal, and bring past is not a standard phrasal verb.

Bring out means to reveal, elicit, or make something evident. A crisis can reveal or bring out someone's best qualities. Bring up means to raise a topic, bring off means to accomplish something difficult, and bring past is not a standard phrasal verb.