“Sagacious” is another word for wise, and someone who is full of wisdom is called “sage.” As for the other answer choices, “hostile” means aggressive; “bellicose” means aggressive and warlike; “abrasive” means rude and aggressive; and “rancorous” means bitter and hateful. These words are all loose synonyms.

Because the subject ended up without friends, but was trying to be cool, we might infer he was acting distant, detached, and disinterested in others. This is the meaning of the word “aloof.” “Gregarious,” “outgoing,” “convivial,” and “genial” all means sociable and friendly. They are antonyms of “aloof."

It makes sense that you would feel safe if your house was next to a police station and a hospital, so the correct answer is “adjacent.” “Detached” means not connected to or not attached to; “incongruous” means inappropriate or out of place; “lenient” means tolerant or not strict; and “opulent” means luxurious or rich and showy.

Seeing as the parents criticized the teachers for not enforcing discipline and allowing the students to be unruly, it makes sense that the teachers were criticized for being too “lenient.” “Lenient” means not strict, not enforcing the rules or tolerant. “Intolerant” means not tolerant, or in other words, not patient or accepting; “severe” means extreme or intense; “supreme” means best or foremost; and “grave” means somber, sad, and serious.

When something occurs by chance, it can be called “serendipitous.” “Unfortunate” means not fortunate or unlucky; “demonstrative” means showing something by demonstration or showing emotion; “incredulous” means disbelieving or not accepting; and “appalling” means dreadful, disgusting, or outrageously bad.

From the context, you know that the correct answer must be something at which someone's friends would get annoyed, and that it must be related to being "self-congratulatory." This should lead you to the correct answer which is “pompous.” Someone who is “pompous” is self-important, overbearing, and thinks extremely highly of him- or herself. “Pestilent” means destructive, deadly, and often related to disease; “melancholy” means sad and thoughtful; “penitent” means showing regret or remorseful; and “amiable” means loving and friendly.

From the context, you know that the correct answer must describe something that would make a professor seem ridiculous. As professors are supposed to be intelligent and perceptive, the correct answer is “obtuse,” which means slow-witted, insensitive, and foolish. As for the other answer choices, “astute” means perceptive; it is the opposite of “obtuse.” “Sagacious” means full of wisdom; “perceptive” means keenly noticing many trends and intelligent; and “adroit” means skillful.

It stands to reason that the man would react angrily to the man who ran over his dog. The best answer is therefore “wrathful,” which means full of anger. “Affable” means loving and friendly; “prone” means susceptible to, vulnerable to, or likely to suffer from; “deluded” means misguided; and “voluminous” means taking up a lot of space.

Of these answer choices, only “aged” makes sense to describe a man who has difficulty getting out of bed.

Because there was a theft in their community, the people would likely begin to think that the idea of their safety was not real or only imagined. This tells you that the correct answer is “illusory,” which means based on illusion, fake, or imagined. As for the other answer choices, “defensible” means able to be defended; “vast” means involving large amounts of open space; “ideal” means perfect; and “authentic” means real as opposed to fake or feigned.