The best hint for this question is the small expression at the beginning of the closing subordinate clause—"discussing openly." The idea is that Maritain would discuss things in an "unfettered" manner. This is the meaning of the word "untrammeled." In contrast to being open in this manner, someone can be "reserved." When we are reserved with our words, we do not express our ideas in detail, and we avoid certain aspects of the topic being discussed. Reservation does not always indicate being frightened or deceptive. It is possible to be reserved out of a good intention.

Clearly, for this question you are looking for a pair of synonyms. Almost every option has such a pairing, so be careful! Clearly, the lifestyle in question is an unhealthy one. The old man's unhealthy manner of living led him to have a body that was battered and ruined. Many of these options describe aging and being ill. Being old or ill is not really what we are looking for. We are looking for something that could be the cause of being ill in one's old age. A bad lifestyle, such as one that is debauched, could lead to this. Often, the word has the connotation of a moral failing. This is true, but it can generally describe how we live when we chase after all kinds of sensual pleasures. This option pairs well with "dissolute," which describes the kind of living one has when he or she has a life that totally falls apart with regard to behavior. (Hence, you can see how "dissolute", though a moral term, is related to "dissolve".)

The best clue in this sentence is "often wasting time on such unimportant matters." Thus, the second blank needs to be either "trivial" (meaning unimportant) or, perhaps, "jejune" (meaning superficial or uninteresting). The first blank, though, has to describe such an action of heeding trivial details to the point of wasting time. To "vacillate" is to go back and forth between two options; however, the sentence is saying something a bit different. Nigel seems to pay too much attention to the details. Thus, he fixates on them, becoming overly attached to them while he heeds them.

In this sentence, "although" the wine aficionado performed the first blank's action towards Tori, he then "appreciated" her for other actions. In other words, he "appreciated" her in spite of whatever action he took towards her in the first blank. Therefore, "ameliorated," or soothed, doesn't quite fit, as "soothed" and "appreciated" are not quite opposites. "Rebuked," however, means reproved sharply; therefore, the later appreciation/approval that Tori receives makes "rebuked" fit the sentence.

Considering the second blank, the wine aficionado "appreciated" Tori for her doing something in regard to the opinions of a rival, so we know that Tori does not agree with that particular critic's opinions. Both "lambasting" and "vexation" are negative, but "lambasting" (thoroughly criticizing) requires direct action by Tori that can act on the opinions of the wine critic, whereas "vexation" means that Tori directly vexes (annoys/irritates) the wine critic's opinions, which doesn't make much sense grammatically.

Therefore, "rebuked . . . lambasting of" is the correct answer.

The construction "although . . . in fact" lets us know that this sentence expresses a contrast. Most people believed that Immanuel was daring. In contrast to this, the acceptable answers are "ossified" and (perhaps) "outmoded." The former means having become hardened or stagnant. It comes from the root words for "bone." Hence, "ossified" ideas are ones that have hardened like bones. The option "outmoded" means out of date. This is not as good as "ossified," which directly contrasts the fluidity of changing positions. For the second blank, "altered" (meaning changed) works well enough.

"Disenfranchisement" signifies that a group lacks the right to vote, which "hampered" or held women back, and is the best answer here. "Suffrage" means the right to vote, which is the opposite of what the sentence refers to in the second blank. "Buoyed" implies that women were supported by their disadvantage while "ensnared" implies that "privileges" would not be beneficial- neither option makes sense.

Generally speaking, an "esteemed" position is one that requires a high level of experience or qualification, which contrasts with the status of a "novice." Thus it makes sense that such a case could be unprecedented.

The sentence hints that there is a contrast being made, as is indicated by the word "while" in the second sentence. The classmates are fearful, so Kevin must be brave. To be "audacious" is to be daring. Clearly, the bravery is aimed at asking questions by interrupting the teacher. To "interject" is to is just to interrupt in this way. The word comes from literal roots meaning to throw in between (just as "eject" means to throw out).

"Abrogation" and "credibility" is the best choice here. Neither "solubility," "tautology," or "trajectory" make sense in the second blank.

"Kindled" and "noxious" are the best choice here. It doesn't make sense for the fire to be stopped by a smoldering cigarette, so "halted" and "extinguished" can be eliminated. "Salubrious" signifies healthy, and if cigarette smoking was considered a healthy habit, there wouldn't be a reason to "abstain from" (stop) it.