(A) fatuous

The clue ridiculed, as well as the idea of eating snacks while working out, requires that the blank mean something like foolish. None of pithy, indolent, precarious, or hackneyed means foolish, so eliminate choices (B), (C), (D), and (E). Fatuous means foolish, so select choice (A).

(C) iniquitous

The same-direction trigger because and the clue sin indicate that the blank means sinful. Of the choices, only iniquitous means sinful and is the best answer.

(B) oblivious , (F) cognizant

If Denise looks distant, it appears that she is unaware of her surroundings. Truant means absent, which makes no sense in this text, and fetching means attractive, which is also irrelevant. Her distant look makes her appear oblivious, or unaware. The word actually signals that the second blank must go in a different direction from the first, and must mean something such as aware. Sedulous means hardworking, which has nothing to do with being aware. Insensible means unaware, and is the opposite of what you’re looking for. Cognizant means aware, and is the best fit for the second blank.

(B) introverted

The clue that Seth did not enjoy activities that required effort to meet new people requires that the blank mean something like shy. None of extroverted, gregarious, lackluster, or jaded mean shy, so eliminate choices (A), (C), (D), and (E). Introverted means shy, so select choice (B).

(C) equanimity

Recycle the clue remaining calm. None of impracticality, cynicism, zeal, or malevolence means remaining calm, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (D), and (E). Equanimity means remaining calm, so select choice (C).

(C) a volatile , (F) immutable , (G) unfettered

The third blank must be consistent with the clue free expression. Circumscribed means restricted and would disagree with free expression. Jingoistic means extremely nationalistic and has a negative connotation. Unfettered means without restriction, making it the best choice for the third blank. If America will always have a particular characteristic, then that characteristic must be always true. Egregious means extremely bad, and autonomous means self-governing, so neither of those words is a good fit for the blank. Immutable means unchanging and is your best choice. The trigger even in tells you that the first blank must go in a different direction from the second blank, and that you need a word that indicates changing. Arcadian means peacefully rustic, and idiosyncratic means strange; neither of these words means changing and both choices can be eliminated. Volatile means prone to change, and is a good contrast to immutable.

(C) dogmatic , (D) checking

The first blank describes the thinking of scientists who refused to consider a process they can’t explain, so a word like rigid or limited would make sense. Of the choices, only dogmatic matches the meaning you need. The second blank describes the result of such limited thinking on the advancement of science, so you need a word that means something like slowing or stopping. Of the choices, only checking fits the context.

(A) abnegation

The clue ouster requires that the blank mean something like resignation. None of vacillation, castigation, asceticism, or misanthropy means resignation, so eliminate choices (B), (C), (D), and (E). Abnegation means resignation of the throne, so select choice (A).

(E) cogency

The trigger while indicates that the two parts of the sentence will disagree, and the opposition is expressed by loses and increases. Thus, the blank needs to mean effectiveness of a persuasive message. Of the choices, only cogency conveys this sense of a convincingly logical message.

(C) appraisal

The clues lacking radio and satellite, significant challenges, and changes on the battlefield require that the blank mean something like information about. None of fortification, adulteration, accretion, or adumbration of means information, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (D), and (E). Appraisal means review or evaluation, so choice (C) is the best answer.