(B) anomalous , (E) forswearing

For the first blank, the clue is the contrast established between Bavaria and the rest of Europe. Thus, the blank must mean something like weird. Felicitous and querulous do not mean weird, but anomalous does. For the second blank, the opposite-direction trigger while, and the clue gained steam require a word meaning something like diminishing. Weltering and forswearing do not mean diminishing, but dissipating does. Thus, select anomalous and dissipating.

(B) recondite

The same-direction trigger colon and the clues tortuous and confound require that the blank mean something like complex. None of banal, elegiac, mundane, or panegyric means complex, so eliminate choices (A), (C), (D), and (E). Recondite does mean complex, so select choice (B).

(E) obsequious

The clues repulsed by and calculated flattery require that the blank means something like flattering. None of natty, profligate, rapacious, nor sententious means flattering, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (C), and (D). Obsequious means flattering, so select choice (E).

(B) tenure , (D) irresolute , (G) integral

The second blank has the strongest clue, so start there. The people who sit for only a few moments are contrasted with the bold who sit for several hours, so you need a word that means not bold. Of the choices, only irresolute fits. Now go to the first blank: If some are described as sitting only briefly, and others for longer periods, then something that means period of time would make sense. Of the choices, only tenure can mean period of time. The third blank refers to the role the visitors play; since the visitors themselves are half of the performance, you might use a word like necessary to describe what kind of components they are. Integral is another word for necessary, so it’s the best fit.

(D) indulgently

The same-direction trigger too and the clue emotional coddling (and the oppositedirection trigger forgetting and its clue competitive environments) require that the blank mean something like leniently. None of aggressively, quixotically, fortuitously, or belligerently mean leniently, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (C), and (E). Indulgently does mean leniently, so select choice (D).

(B) membrane , (F) porous , (G) permeate

For the first blank, you need a word for the tissue right on the inside of an eggshell. Yolk is the central part of the egg, so eliminate this choice. Albumen is the egg white, but this does not line the eggshell; eliminate this choice. Membrane is the word meaning the tissue that separates parts of an organism, and is the best fit. For the second blank, you need a word that states the membrane lets things get through. Impermeable means blocks from passage, the opposite of what you need. Flexible does not mean allowing to pass through, so eliminate this choice. Porous is the best choice. For the third blank, you need a word that means enter, and the correct choice, permeate, means exactly that. Addle means to confuse and infect means to cause to become ill, and neither choice fits the context of the third blank.

(E) repudiated

The clue odious reminder requires that the blank mean rejected. None of placated, extolled, circumscribed, or tempered mean rejected, so eliminate choices (A), (B), (C), and (D). Repudiated does mean rejected, so select choice (E).

(B) prestige

The two parts of the sentence need to refer to the same topic, so recycle the clue respect for the first blank. Of the choices, only prestige means respect. For the second blank, the clue decline and the trigger in contrast to indicate that you need a word that means something like increased. Of the choices, only reaped makes sense.

(B) eloquent

The clues stirring words and not enough require that the blank mean something like eloquent. None of deceptive, lengthy, crafty, or impromptu means eloquent, so eliminate choices (A), (C), (D), and (E), and select choice (B).

(B) disappointing , (E) garner , (H) nigh

Rich has a deadline approaching and needs some more time. The storm would have given him a good excuse, but it seems to have changed direction. Its shift, therefore, must have been disappointing to him. He planned to use the excuse to buy himself some more time, so garner works in the second blank. The third blank describes the deadline, which is approaching, so nigh works well.