A "mendicant" is a vagabond or a beggar. An "iconoclast" is someone who goes against established traditions or beliefs. A "harbinger" is an omen or portent. A "contaminant" is an impurity or pollutant. A "proclivity" is a tendency or a habit.

"Dross" and "dregs" both mean remains or refuse. "Nonchalance" means apathy or indifference. "Contusion" means a bruise or injury. "Referendum" means a popular vote on an issue. "Sybarite" means a hedonist or someone who loves luxury. 

"Precipice" and "crag" both mean a cliff or bluff. "Deference" means obedience or compliance. "Misanthrope" means someone who hates people. "Plethora" means excess or overabundance. "Precursor" means something that indicates an outcome or event beforehand. 

"Pyre" and "bonfire" are both synonyms. "Stratagem" means a trick or gimmick. "Quarry" means goal or aim. "Gambol" means to tumble playfully. "Galleon" means a large sailing ship. 

A "hovel" is a shanty or a small and run-down cabin, so "shanty" is the correct answer. None of the other answer choices are close in meaning to "hovel": "infection" means disease or the process of being infected with a disease; a "prodigy" is a young person with extraordinary abilities or skills; "prophesy" is a foretelling about what will happen in the future; and "residue" is whatever remains or is left.

In an older usage, the word “abode” also functions as the past tense of “abide,” which means (in addition to its most common meanings today) “to continue, remain, or dwell.” Here, it is used in its more accepted sense of meaning “house” or “residence.”

“Dearth” means lack or state of not having much or enough of something, so "lack" is the correct answer. “Excess” is an antonym of "dearth" and means the part of a quantity that is more than what is needed;“mirth” means joy, celebration and happiness; and “sulkiness” is petulance and a state in which one is disgruntled; and “enmity” means mutual dislike or hatred.

A “cacophony” is a harsh mixture of noise that is not pleasing to hear, also known as a “din” or a “racket.” As for the other answer choices, “asset” means something useful that offers some advantage, "prudence" is the ability to make smart, careful decisions in order to avoid future problems, and "parity" is equality.

“Chicanery” is getting something from someone using dishonest trickery, so "deception" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “edification” is moral improvement; “erudition” is knowledge and learning; “accountability” means responsibility; and a "remonstration" is complaint or protest.

An “embellishment” is something added to decorate something else; this is very close in meaning to an “adornment.” As for the other answer choices, a “fragment” is a portion or a part of a greater whole; “perjury” is lying in court under oath; an “outcast” is someone who is rejected by a social group; and “repartee” means witty conversation.