'Purpose' gives a clue for the first blank, which gives a positive feel to the first blank. 'Cold' and 'rawness' infer negative connotations. Hence, options (1) and (2) are ruled out. 'Irascible' (meaning easily angered; quick-tempered) implies emotions. Therefore, it is not cogent with 'synthesis'.

The operative word in this sentence is “And”, which implies that the blank must be replaced by a word that gives positive feel. Hence, “Bungling” (unskillful) and “loutish”(clumsy) can be ruled out as both these words convey negative meanings. American history cannot be 'vending' (selling) business as it is being explored neither can it be 'coruscating' (glittering, sparkling) business. Thus, “absorbing “fits our prediction, hence (1) is the answer.

“Cutting back their audits of child protection measures” highlights the negative impact, hence some negative word must replace the blank as this phrase is an explanation to their negative decision. Of all these options, “wrongheaded” (stubborn in adhering to wrong opinions) fits our prediction and replaces the blank. 'Pugnacious' is eager and ready to fight; quarrelsome; combative, as it is off the track, therefore ruled out. Hence, (1) is the answer.

Options (3) and (4) are ruled out because 'literals' and ‘officials' do not coordinate with deceivers in the sentence as they are opposite in meaning. On the same lines, ‘candidness’ in option (5) is also ruled out. If we know the usage of ‘transcending’ (to go beyond the limits of, overstep, exceed) and ‘trailing’ (following, behind), we will get to know at once that 'interest in experience' can be ‘transcending’ and not ‘trailing’. Hence, option (1) is the correct answer.

'Unqualified' breakthrough is out and out a breakthrough. Thus, 'unqualified' replaces the first blank. 'Brilliant associates' is a clue for the second blank. ‘Ingenuity’ gives sense to 'brilliant associates'. Hence, option (1) is the correct answer.

The word for the blank must be that favours or stimulates privation. As “whet” means to make keen, stimulate, hence it fits our prediction. Moreover, whet is usually used with appetite. Hence, (2) is the answer.

The phrase – “healthy attitude of human nature” - indicates that a child who is sure of getting dinner attaches no value to it as compared to a poor person. As per the writer this is a healthy attitude of humans. Therefore, (5) is the only option denoting same i.e. negative connotation of words. ‘Non–chalance’ is without warmth or enthusiasm; not showing interest and ‘disdain’ is to regard or treat as unworthy or beneath one’s dignity; contempt. Hence, (5) is the answer.  

The sentence tells you that the politician revealed weakness, which he had never shown in the rest of his fervent (or zealous, eager) campaign. Thus, the word like weakness or lethargy or confusion - something that might be a symptom of weakness, would characterize the blank. Of all the options, 'lassitude' in (4) fits our prediction as it means weariness.  Hence, (4) is the answer. Clemency mean mercy Obstinacy means stubbornness Reticence means hesitation in speaking Verbosity means excessive wordiness

'Though' after 'because' in second part of the sentence sets up the contrast in that part itself. This implies - though stars are always present, yet they are unapproachable because of their great distance from Earth. 'Inaccessible' in option (4) is synonymous to 'unapproachable'. Hence, it fits our prediction. Options (1), (3) and (5) mean approaching, which is contrary to our prediction. Hence, ruled out. ‘Elusive’ means evasive, mysterious; which is irrelevant. Hence, ruled out. 'Influence' can cause 'impression'. So, it fits best the second blank. Hence, option (4) is the correct answer.    

The second part of the sentence throws light on Nehru's thought on 'spiritualism with its manifestations of spirits”. Therefore, séances (communicating with) is the most appropriate word to replace the first blank, as all the other options talk of connections. Moreover, 'impertinent' (not pertinent; having no connection with a given matter; irrelevant) is in tandem with absurd. Hence, (4) is the answer.

The second blank must be replaced by the blank that is in tandem with vice (an evil or wicked action; habit or characteristic). All the options for the second blank depict negative meanings, but the most appropriate would be 'contumacy' (stubborn refusal to submit to authority, especially that of a law court; disobedience), which is coherent with phrases 'evil facts', 'criminal', 'vice' and 'judgments' in the sentence. Moreover, 'defrauded' replacing the first blank gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, option (4) is the correct answer. 

This sentence highlights a very general statement that almost all the civilization of the world advanced on roads and near water bodies. 'Cascades' is waterfall, hence ruled out. 'Maunders' is to move or act in dreamy, vague way, hence irrelevant in this context. “Water courses” is more general and broad term and includes all types of water bodies, instead of tributaries, which is more specific and 'aqueduct' that is a large pipe or conduit made for bringing water from a distant source. Hence, (3) is the answer.

“Never” in first part of the statement and “genuine verdict” in second part of the statement implies that the blank characterizes a negative connotation. Of all these options, 'cumbers' (to burden in a troublesome way) in (2) fits our prediction and gives a cogent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer.

The author mentioned in this sentence believes that businessmen are models of some quality; whatever qualities they may lack implies that whatever bad points they possess; there’s this one particular good thing about them. The best possible choice that fits our prediction is (1) — if an author's main characters are businessmen and if they're all paragons of ingenuity (meaning inventively talented), one could easily lead to the presumption that the author thinks all businessmen are clever. Hence, (1) is the answer.

“The fall of the Roman Empire” in the medieval history characterize the dark phase of Roman history, hence the “Dark Ages”. Of all the options, 'tenebrous '(dark) (1) and 'darkest' in (2) would characterize the first blank. The sentence - 'while it was built, did not fall in a day' makes no logical sense; whereas the sentence - 'just as it was built, did not fall in a day' gives the coherent meaning to the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer. Cryptic means mysterious. Tawny refers to brownish yellowish colour. Iniquitous means wicked, evil.

The clue for the first blank is found in the latter part of the sentence as this is an explanation to the first part. “Pushed up” and “accumulated a mass” signifies that a volcano built a mountain, and not collapsed, as we would have thought. As ‘built’ is one of our options, hence, (4) is the answer. ‘Forged’ in option (5) is to form or shape (metal) with blows or pressure from a hammer, press, or other machine, usually after heating; which is not coherent with volcanoes building up a mountain.

“Ennobling” means to give a noble quality to, thus this is in tandem with noblest and hence replaces the first blank. Moreover, “improve” gives sense to the sentence when replaced with second blank. Hence, (4) is the answer.

“Escaped” before the blank provides the clue for the blank. The infrastructure along the east coast was not affected by the tsunami disaster i.e. the east coast was not harmed. Therefore, the blank would be replaced by the blank which means “not harmed”. “Unscathed” (not hurt, unharmed) in option (B) fits our prediction. “Uncrippled” (sensibility, activity or ability to act). is usually used figuratively. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Out of all the options for the first blank; ‘glibly’ is the only word that substantiates the first blank as the clue is given by forward or backward in the sentence. Checking the sentence for the second blank, ‘extravagant’ gives a coherent meaning to the whole sentence thereby confirming that (2) is the answer.

Inference (good temper would be means of bad temper and indifference). Of (1), (2) and (4); “phlegmatic” (meaning impassive, tiresome, cold) in option (2) serves as a coherent adjective to apathy thereby giving cogent meaning to the phrase. Hence, (2) is the answer.

“Formal presentation made to it” in the second part of the sentence means that Sahara got formal propositions or offers from Boeing and Airbus. This implies that in the first part of the sentence, they would be searching for planes. “Scouting” is to go in search for something and therefore, replaces the blank as it fits our prediction.

The operative word in this sentence is “and” before the blank; which implies that the blank must be replaced by a word that is a synonym of monk. An “anchoret” is a person who lives alone and away from society for religious meditation. Thus, it fits our prediction. 

“But” sets up the contrast between what precedes it and what follows it. This implies that earlier, he was fond of drinking, but he abstains it now. The only option that is similar in meaning to abstain is “abjures” in (3). Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.