(D) a quotidian

To describe the voice of the novel, recycle any of the clues unaffected, common, or everyday. Of the choices, only quotidian makes sense.

(B) deride , (F) a heretical , (G) separate

For the first blank, the opposite-direction trigger while and the contrast between the clues modernist and traditional require that the blank mean something like criticize. Venerate and celebrate do not mean criticize, but deride does. For the second blank, the clue traditional as well as the completed first blank require that the second blank mean something like radical. Dogmatic and axiomatic do not mean radical, but heretical does. For the third blank, the opposite direction trigger while and the clue inherently related require that the blank mean something like distinct. Logical and intertwined do not mean distinct, but separate does. Thus, select deride, heretical, and separate.

(C) umbarge , (E) dross

Start with the second blank. You know from the second part of the sentence that slush piles are unsolicited, soon-to-be-rejected manuscripts, so the missing word is probably something like unwanted material. Of the choices, only dross is sufficiently negative. For the first blank, since the agent is arguing that several major authors were discovered in the pile, he must not like the idea of the slush pile being called dross. The missing word, then, must mean something like offense. Of the choices, only umbrage means offense.

(B) vacillated

Lindsay is described as hesitant and unsure, and is weighing the conflicting motivations of health and convenience, so you need a word that means something like hesitated or was unsure. Of the choices, only vacillated makes sense. Be careful of choice (C): To support equivocated, you would have to know that Lindsay had already spoken to guests about the issue.

(C) precluded , (E) pragmatic

The council member’s strategy made her opponent’s attacks impossible or useless, so you need a word for the first blank that means something like made impossible. Of the choices, only precluded makes sense. The second blank is a description of the strategy in opposition to a less effective one, so a word like effective or useful would make sense. Of the choices, only pragmatic, which means practical, fits.

(E) disdainfully

The same-direction trigger and as well as the clue nothing but contempt requires that the blank mean something like disrespectfully. None of didactically, affably, jocularly, or morosely means disrespectfully, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (C), and (D). Disdainfully does mean disrespectfully, so select choice (E).

(B) tact , (C) deference

The first blank refers to what Jill doesn’t have, so you need a word that means politeness. Of the choices, only tact fits. The second blank refers to what Jill does without meaning to, so you need a word that means insulting. Of the choices, only denigrating means insulting.

(C) bucolic

Recycle the clue peaceful pasture for the blank. None of halcyon, perennial, eclectic, or quiescent mean relating to a peaceful pasture, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (D), and (E). Bucolic does mean relating to a peaceful pasture, so select choice (C).

(B) silences , (D) false

The word in the first blank gives a false impression about Howard’s underlying gregariousness, so you need something that suggests he isn’t sociable; hence, silences is the best choice. Since Howard is, underneath it all, gregarious, new acquaintances who think him churlish are incorrect, so falsely is the best fit.

(D) flourish

The same-direction semi-colon and the clues that an aloe plant is an excellent choice for someone who lacks time for frequent watering or careful maintenance requires that the blank mean something like thrive. None of facilitate, ingest, consume, or advance means thrive, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (C), and (E). Flourish means thrive, so select choice (D).