A "truce" is an agreement to delay fighting for a set period of time. "Armistice," which shares the same meaning, is therefore the best choice. Considering the other choices, "armor" is any item warn for protection in a fight, "honesty" means truthfulness, "battlefield" is the area in which a battle takes place, and a "scroll" is a rolled up piece of paper or parchment either written on or able to be written on.

An "idiosyncrasy" is a manner of behavior unique to one person, or a “peculiarity.” “Defection” is the act of deserting one’s country or party in favor of the direct opponent or desertion; “authority” means power or the person or entity who is in charge; “foreshadowing” means an act of warning of something that will happen in the future; a “vagrant” is a tramp or someone who wanders from place to place begging to survive.

A “mandate” is an official directive, so "directive" is the correct answer. As for the other answer choices, “succor” means aid or assistance; “duress” means stress or pressure to do something.

"Restraint” means a physical restriction that keeps one from moving normally or the ability to control oneself and not just act on emotion, so the best answer choice is "self-control." 

“Chagrin” is acute personal embarrassment or irritation at how a situation resulted, so "mortification," which means extreme embarrassment, is the answer choice closest in meaning to "chagrin." As for the other answer choices, “fusion” means blend; “privilege” means a special right or advantage granted to someone; “antipathy” means a deep-feeling of hatred or dislike; and “ferocity” refers to fierceness and cruelty. 

“Hyperbole” is an obvious and intentional overstatement of the truth, so "exaggeration" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "hyperbole." Considering the other answer choices, a “conviction” is a strongly felt opinion; “conformity” means similarity or compliance to rules; "enthusiasm" means excitement or zeal; and "obstinance" means stubbornness.

"Pretense" is a noun that means "an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true" or "a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions."So, we need to pick out a noun that means something like "an attempt to make something false appear true" or "a false display." "Candidness," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "candidness" is a noun that means "the quality of being truthful and straightforward; frankness," making it more of an antonym than a synonym of "pretense." "Deception," however, is a noun that means "the action of deceiving someone" or "a thing that deceives," and because "deception" is the answer choice closest to "pretense," "deception" is the correct answer.

"Predilection" and "propensity" both mean tendency or inclination. "Impartiality means equality or fairness. "Modicum" means a bit or small amount. "Parsimony" means stinginess or frugality. 

"Propensity" and "tendency" both mean an inclination or weakness. "Panacea" means a cure-all or elixir. "Incompetence" means lack of ability. "Pathos" means deep sadness. 

Since "antithesis" means a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else, the answer choice that is its closest synonym is "opposite."