The implication of this sentence clearly is that Timothy had worked at his trade for some time. It is a stock expression to speak of "plying one's trade," meaning diligently working at one's trade. He has mastered it, but he is not a journeyman, which is a type of trainee. Likewise, he is implied to be a master (of sorts), but the new men are not "maestros"! So, after plying his trade, Timothy had become "adept," meaning "very able." To be a "novice" is to be someone new to something. The prefix "nov-" can often mean new, coming from the Latin "novus,"meaning new.

The implication of this sentence clearly is that Timothy had worked at his trade for some time. It is a stock expression to speak of "plying one's trade," meaning diligently working at one's trade. He has mastered it, but he is not a journeyman, which is a type of trainee. Likewise, he is implied to be a master (of sorts), but the new men are not "maestros"! So, after plying his trade, Timothy had become "adept," meaning "very able." To be a "novice" is to be someone new to something. The prefix "nov-" can often mean new, coming from the Latin "novus,"meaning new.

The sentence hints at a contrast between the first and the third blanks. Additionally, the third blank is signaled to be a strong adjective, given the adverb "quite." The word "fervid" means extremely passionate, which works well as regards both the intensity and the noun that is being described, namely "disagreement." In contrast to this, one would think the medieval university to be a calm environment. Hence, "tranquil" is an excellent option for the first blank, meaning free from disturbance. Such tranquility was broken by public and private disagreement. Thus, the best choice for the second blank is "disputation," which well describes such disagreement.

The sentence hints at a contrast between the first and the third blanks. Additionally, the third blank is signaled to be a strong adjective, given the adverb "quite." The word "fervid" means extremely passionate, which works well as regards both the intensity and the noun that is being described, namely "disagreement." In contrast to this, one would think the medieval university to be a calm environment. Hence, "tranquil" is an excellent option for the first blank, meaning free from disturbance. Such tranquility was broken by public and private disagreement. Thus, the best choice for the second blank is "disputation," which well describes such disagreement.

This sentence initiates a contrast between Patrick and Isaac by using "although." It seems that Isaac becomes drunk very easily; however, Patrick does not become inebriated in this way. (The word just means to become drunk.) It seems that Isaac fears being in a drunken stupor—that is, a state of unconsciousness (or at least semi-consciousness). Thus, he remains sober—in the sense of avoiding alcohol. (The word can also mean serious—a person who is not drinking might well be a serious temperament.)

This sentence initiates a contrast between Patrick and Isaac by using "although." It seems that Isaac becomes drunk very easily; however, Patrick does not become inebriated in this way. (The word just means to become drunk.) It seems that Isaac fears being in a drunken stupor—that is, a state of unconsciousness (or at least semi-consciousness). Thus, he remains sober—in the sense of avoiding alcohol. (The word can also mean serious—a person who is not drinking might well be a serious temperament.)

The first blank is relatively easy, for the best noun for a group of disconnected things is "jumble," which describes a disorganized pile of things—though the expression can be metaphorically transferred to "things" like thoughts as well. The word "instead" indicates that it actually was something quite different from such a jumble. It was organized. Therefore, its topics could be said to be "interwoven." If they are so, it also makes sense to say that they are an "arrangement," which is well contrasted to the "jumble" spoken of in the first part of the sentence.

The first blank is relatively easy, for the best noun for a group of disconnected things is "jumble," which describes a disorganized pile of things—though the expression can be metaphorically transferred to "things" like thoughts as well. The word "instead" indicates that it actually was something quite different from such a jumble. It was organized. Therefore, its topics could be said to be "interwoven." If they are so, it also makes sense to say that they are an "arrangement," which is well contrasted to the "jumble" spoken of in the first part of the sentence.

The conjunction "but" let us know that there is a contrast in the sentence to look out for. We also can use the word "stranded" to infer what kind of hour it is referring to. "Verdant" is defined as green and lush, "vista" is a panoramic view, and "prudent" is defined as wisely cautious.

Based on the second sentence, which states that Cindy "spoke passionately," we know that the first blank involves some positive characteristic that reenforces the passionate character of her speech. Based on this context, "verve," characterizing a speech delivered with passion, and "gusto," meaning enjoyment had as a result of doing something, both make sense. While "lucidity," meaning clarity, would not be nonsensical, it would also not convey the passionate nature of her presentation. "Trepidation," meaning fear or apprehension, and "commiseration," meaning emotional sympathy, would not make sense here.

After looking at the second sentence, we know that the second blank is describing some quality of the obstacles that have to be overcome. We can infer from this context that the blank is some negative characteristic, probably relating to difficulty. Given this context, "harrowing," meaning distressing, "exasperating," meaning infuriating, and "inordinate," meaning excessive, could all make sense here; however, because we have already rulled out "commiseration" for the first blank, we know we can also disregard "inordinate," leaving us with only "harrowing" or "exasperating" as possibilities. "Cantankerous," meaning bad-tempered, and "inadmissible," meaning invalid, would not really make sense in this context.

The context for the final blank is provided by "giving them the same voting rights as their male counterparts." Through the above analyzed process of elimination, we have been able to narrow down our choices to either "verve . . . harrowing . . . enfranchise," or "gusto . . . exasperating . . . remunerate." "Remunerate" means to pay someone for a service that person has provided, which doesn't really fit here. "Enfranchise," however, directly means to allow to vote legally, which fits perfectly given the sentence's context.