"Countenance" and "demeanor" could both work for the first blank. That James was doing the opposite of bragging gives a strong contextual clue that the second word will be similar to honest. This is exactly what "forthright" means.

"Incredulous" means shocked or indicating disbelief, and "amiably" means acting in a friendly or agreeable manner, so "incredulous . . . amiably" is the correct answer because its words best fit the sentence's context.

That Larry considers the promoted coworker to be inferior to himself tells us that his emotions towards this coworker should be negative. "Furious" and "distraught" are each potentially correct choices for the first blank, because "furious" is synonymous with enraged and "distraught" is synonymous with upset. This leaves "resigning" or "acquiring" as options for the second's second blank. "Resign" means to give up one's position, and "acquire" means obtain or receive, so "resign" makes more sense because this is clearly a situation where Larry is considering leaving the company.

The contrast in this sentence is with “relatively simple problems.” Although less simple problems would be perhaps more obscure or of greater length, the most direct contrasting option is “complexity.” The word is derived from Latin roots that literally mean “folded over (itself).” The “folding” portion of this meaning is found in the “-plex,” which is related not only to “perplex” but also “plait” and “pleat.” In addition to its common noun usage, the word “progress” can also be used as a verb meaning to go forward. The “pro-” portion means “forward,” while the “-gress” is derived from the Latin for to step. The latter is found in English words like “regress,” “transgress,” and “digression.”

The phrase “not only . . . but also” requires two words that have similar meanings. Both blanks require a word that means “important” or “valuable.” The only answer that satisfies these requirements is "valuable . . . vital."

The first blank requires a word that means “to conceal” or to “to hide.” Furthermore, the phrase “rather than” indicates the correct answer will have a word pair that is opposite in meaning. “Admit” is opposite the meaning of “conceal,” therefore this is the correct answer. 

The hints in these sentences indicate that the text was planned to be very “in depth”—“soaring expectations” met with, instead, some sort of “pitiful . . . outline.” If something is “magisterial” it has or shows great authority. This can work well for the opposition made between that and being “unconvincing,” if the latter term is taken in the sense of “lacking authority.” In any case, the other cases imply other shades of meaning not included in the sentence. The term “magisterial” comes from the Latin for “teacher” and is found likewise in the word “magistrate.” 

Since Joseph had influence because of his wealth, he could be called a “plutocrat.” Just as an “aristocrat” is said (ideally) to rule from talent or virtue (from the Greek “arist-” prefix meaning “best”), a “plutocrat” rules from wealth from the Greek “plutos” for wealth. To “exert” is to administer force to some end. It is clearly related to the English “exertion,” meaning the act of applying a good deal of force.

The correct answer emphasizes how George Washington is a key example of honesty and personal dignity ("paragon") and as a result, many people have little difficulty in believing that possibly false stories made about him are false ("incontrovertible"). The incorrect answers fail to indicate that the stories are treated as fact beyond reproach. One of the choices comes close ("case . . . indisputable"), but "paragon" serves as a better choice in context by stressing how Washington is an exceptional example.

The key word in the second sentence is “friendly”, and this helps us to focus on the distinct possibility of using “amicable” for the first blank. This word means having a friendly spirit, or even more simply, friendly. It is derived from the Latin words for “friend” and “friendship” and is likewise reflected in the contracted form “amiable.” 

“Effusive” means to express positive affection in an abundant manner. It comes from the Latin prefix “ex-“ (meaning out of, such as in “exit”) added to the word fundere, which has forms that replace the “d” with an “s.” Fundere means to pour, and with the “ex” (which becomes “ef” because it is easier to pronounce), we get to pour out. Fundere has many derived English words such as “effusion,” “profuse,” “foundry,” and “fuse.” These latter words are derived from the second sense of the word fundere, meaning to melt or make by means of melting.