The father's attempted intimidation means his tone would have been anything but nice.  Terse, meaning short and to the point, is the only answer choice that makes sense in context with intimidate.

The boy was still pursuing his crush despite the rejections, and the correct answer choice should reflect that. Disheartened and unenthused would indicate he had given up. Nervous and ponderous on the other hand, would indicate he was less resolved to continue. Poised is the only answer choice that fits in the sentence.

The peacock's tail feathers need to attract a mate and therefore must be something attractive. Torpid, languid, and dull do not have such a meaning, while brawny, meaning "muscular," does not fit the sentence at all.

The structure of the sentence indicates that the correct answer will be an antonym for "evenhanded." While none of the choices are true synonyms, only "polemical," meaning argumentative and causing debates, is an antonym.

The young man is staying focused on the Marines despite his parents' wishes, which means he is excited about joining and is remaining vigilant. "Adamant," meaning inflexible and determined, is the only answer choice that would give such a meaning to the sentence.

The structure of the sentence indicates the aides have a very different view of the politician's abilities than he does. The correct answer choice needs to mean the opposite of "gifted public speaker." "Ponderous," meaning slow and weighty, is the only answer choice that truly stands in opposition.

While there are many reasons a suspect can seem suspicious, the sentence mentions that "the suspect never revealed anything." "Vociferous" and "exuberant" would make the suspect say too much, while "poised" and "assured" would make the suspect confidently reveal some facts. "Reticent," meaning to be restrained and withholding, is the correct answer.

The patient was drawing concern from his doctors after a head injury and had memory problems. All of these facts indicate that the patient's behavior was strange and problematic. "Erratic," meaning inconsistent and irregular, is the only answer choice that gives the appropriate meaning to the sentence.

"Religious laws" is a phrase inserted as a trap, as the real clue to the answer is the pairing of the blank with "unnecessary." "Contempt" and "crucial" are antonyms of "unnecessary," while "exempt" and "odious" are not sensible when paired with "unnecessary." "Esoteric," meaning hard to understand, is the correct answer choice.

"The old home," as well as the other adjectives, indicate the sofa itself was old and dirty.  "Hoary," which means old and shabby, is the correct answer choice.