Fill in the Blanks

“Although” tells us that this is a contrasting sentence. Moreover, the word for first blank should be similar in meaning to aloof, thus “reticent” (habitually silent or uncommunicative) replaces the first blank. “Convivial” (companionable, sociable) is in contrast to reticent, thus fits our prediction for second blank. Hence, (1) is the answer.

The first part of the sentence says that, after the First World War, the Mexican immigration to United States decreased sharply. So, the two missing words should together mean that the immigration restrictions had been relaxed during the War, and had become stricter after the War. (1) is the correct answer because, if wart-time waiver of immigration restrictions had been rescinded after the war, the rate of immigration would naturally have decreased in the post-war period.

The first word has to be in contrast to simplicity. The obvious answer is (3).

The sentence must mean that the person was intent upon taking revenge for the earlier harm. He must therefore be looking for an opportunity to take revenge, even while pretending friendship. Devious is what describes such a person perfectly, and awaiting fits in well in the second blank. Hence, (4) is the answer.

The clue word in this sentence is ‘caused’. The speaker had some unintended effect on his audience. ‘Wry’ means dry or twisted humour and ‘confusion’ would certainly be a potential unintended effect from this speaking style. Hence, (2) is the answer.

The clue for this sentence is that research work requires hard work and persistent effort. As ‘diligence’ means hard work, it is ideal for first blank. Moreover, ‘assiduously’ means with perseverance and care, thereby, giving sense to the sentence. Hence, (4) is the answer.

There is the term ‘engulfed’ in the sentence. Therefore, option (1) having the word 'deep' can be rejected. Though people are lifted with the help of helicopters or dropped from helicopters, in the present sentence, owing to the condition of a town engulfed by floodwater, the most suitable among the given choices is 'rescued'.

Note that in the sentence people being talked about are lepers and how they were treated. Option (1), ostracized means banish, and stigma is mark of disgrace. These two efficiently fit in the blanks, and so they are a good answer choice. Therefore option (1) is  the correct answer.

First consider options for blank one. All the terms serpentine, curving and sinuous can be considered as characteristic or shape of a road. Except climbing, because roads do not climb. So reject option (2). Now look at the second blank. The sentence says water foaming down the stones; now as water is running down it can’t be termed stagnant which rejects option (3) and jaunty that refers to gay, carefree, stylish person cannot be referred to as a trait of water. This leaves (4) as correct answer choice.

The first blank should be filled by a kind of book, which contains indecent contents. Allegorical, historical and biographical books do not contain indecency. But salacious books are lustful, obscene, which perfectly fits the first blank. Therefore (3) is the correct answer.

After reading the sentence it is evident that meetings of the boarder with her boy friend were undesirable and possibly secret. Clandestine comes as a desirable match for such meetings and perfect in this context. Therefore option (4) appears as the best choice among those provided. The first blank ‘lynx–eyed’ means having keen eye sight also aptly describes the characteristic of matron.

There is the term ‘engulfed’ in the sentence. Therefore, option (1) having the word 'deep' can be rejected. Though people are lifted with the help of helicopters or dropped from helicopters, in the present sentence, owing to the condition of a town engulfed by floodwater, the most suitable among the given choices is 'rescued'.

(1) Incorrect; it is a woman's options, in terms of romance, that are being discussed. 'Economic cycle' does not fit the context. (2) Incorrect; marital bliss would come after marriage, not while making choices from among the men available. (3) Correct; because it is not necessary that all women would be looking for marriage in all the romantic relationships they have, the phrase sums up the scenario correctly. (4) Incorrect; contextually unfit for the passage. Idyllic musings would be related to wishful thinking whereas a realistic scenario is under discussion in the passage. (5) Incorrect; not every woman would necessarily be looking for marital possibilities when moving through relationships.

(1) Incorrect; because no ready solutions were available, it makes sense that Walters' team used technologies as they were invented. It does not make sense to use technologies that were being discarded. (2) Incorrect; it does not make sense for Walters' team to use outdated or ineffective technologies to decipher a historic manuscript. (3) Correct; because no readymade solutions existed, the team would have to use the technologies that were being created as they worked. Also, there is a similar word in 'invented'. (4) Incorrect; although not a technically incorrect option, there are better options available. (5) Correct; because no readymade solutions existed, the team would have to use the technologies that were being invented as they worked. (6) Incorrect; although not a technically incorrect option, there are better options available.

Second denotes the group to which the first belongs.