"Tempo" is a noun that means either pace, often specifically the pace of music. While "quick" and "slow" may describe different speeds, neither word means the same thing as "tempo," and while "music" may proceed at a certain tempo, "music" does not mean "tempo" either. "Pace," however, is a noun that means speed or rate, and because "pace" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "tempo," "pace" is the correct answer.

A “reprisal” is an attack made to avenge some previous attack. In this sense, it is most similar to the answer choice “retaliation,” which has the same meaning. To provide further help, “apathetic” describes the attitude of not caring; a “distraction” is something that causes a loss of focus; “competition” is a fight or rivalry; “corpulence” means obesity or beefiness. 

The prefix "mal-" means bad or wrong and “function” means to work, so something that has “malfunctioned” has stopped working or has failed to work. The closest answer choice is “fail.” To provide further help, “latent” means hidden or potential; “lamentable” means sad and causing sorrow; “obvious” means apparent; “succeed” means to do well, to achieve goals. 

The prefix "dict-" means relating to speaking or relating to words, so the word “diction” refers to the way you speak. The best answer choice is “pronunciation.” To provide further help, “deferential” means showing respect; a “narrative” is a story; an “orator” is someone who is talented at public speaking; “diffident” means shy and insecure. 

The prefix "par-" means equal, as in “par for the course” or “on par with.” The word “parity” is similar in meaning to "equality." To provide further help, “adjunct” means addition; “extol” means praise; “pompous” means arrogant and self-important; “congenial” means friendly, affable.

In general, the word "levity" is related to humor or amusement. Specifically, it refers to joking or carefree happiness that interrupts a more serious mood. "Lighthearted" basically means happy in a way that lacks seriousness, so "lightheartedness" is the correct synonym here. Let's check the other three answer choices. Although it rhymes, "brevity" has nothing to do with levity; it denotes conciseness of language or (more generally) a short duration. "Solemnity" is synonymous with seriousness, so it is an antonym of our original term, and "natal" is an adjective that means associated with birth or newborn babies.

The "onset" of something is its start or its beginning, so "start" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "onset": a "sample" is a small amount of something having the characteristics of larger amounts or the whole thing; "discovery" is the act of finding out something new; a "riot" is a violent demonstration or protest; and a "setting" can mean the time period and location in which a story takes place.

"Intent" is a word that when used as a noun means "intention or purpose," and when used as a verb means "resolved or determined to do (something)," "attentive occupied with," or, especially of a look, "showing earnest and eager intention." Because all of the answer choices are nouns, we will need to consider "intent" as a noun and pick out an answer choice that means something like "intention" or "purpose." So, while "content" and "intent" may both contain the syllable "tent," "content" when used as a noun means either "a state of satisfaction" or "the substance or material dealt with in a speech or literary work, as distinct from its form or style." So, "content" does not mean the same thing as "intent" and cannot be the correct answer. "Goal," however, is a noun that can mean "the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result," and because "goal" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "intent," "goal" is the correct answer.

Discord means disagreement or conflict. To further help you, harmony, accord, and concord are all synonyms and mean agreement.

The word "corroboration" means proof that confirms a given theory or statement is correct; therefore, "confirmation" is the word that most closely matches its definition, as "confirmation" can mean information that confirms something. "Contrition" means guilt, penitence, or regret, so it is is unrelated to the definition of "corroboration." "Idealism," which means the characteristic of chasing unrealistic dreams of perfection, is also unrelated. A "contradiction" occurs when the difference between two things means that both cannot be true. This is almost the opposite of "corroboration."