The sentence notes two key facts, that the groups are "throughout the country" and that they have made "law enforcement highly concerned." The correct answer needs to indicate that the "terrorist groups" are spreading and disseminating, the definition of "proliferation."

The sentence notes the people described by the missing word go to the king to "ask his favor." The correct answer must show someone who is asking for something from a powerful person. "Supplicants," meaning people begging for favors, is the best choice among the answers.

While many words could fit this fairly wide ranging sentence, some clues help find the best choice. "The songwriter" is analyzing "his favorite writers" to "write better lyrics." "Prosody," meaning the study and analysis of poetry, is the correct answer.

The key element in the sentence is the obscenities and name-calling. The politician is giving not just any speech, but a nasty one full of hatred and abuse. The only answer choice that fits the sentence then, is "tirade," which means a speech full of nasty words and hatred.

The key phrase in the sentence is "being laughed at." As that phrase refers back to the missing word, the correct answer must mean a big or notable laugh, the definition of guffaw.

The key phrase is "perfect agreement." Recognizing this, you can quickly ascertain the correct answer, if you know the meaning of unanimity—complete agreement in a group. It comes from the Latin roots "unus" (one; see "unity," "uniform," "unit," etc.) and "animus" (soul or mind; see "animated," "magnanimous").

While some answer choices could make sense, only one will fit perfectly. The sentence describes the many "clarifying statements" the politician had to make, which means the perspective of his views is wrong or misguided. "Misrepresentation," meaning a deliberately deceiving description, is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence could be completed with a few of the answer choices, but the best choice must be found. The sentence notes the subject was both "an accused murderer" and that the missing word has been ongoing "after he was fully acquitted." "Vilification," meaning literally to make a villain of someone, is the best answer choice.

The sentence describes the "older brother" as being the cause of his younger siblings misbehavior. This indicates the correct answer should mean someone who causes others to act or misbehave, the very definition of "instigator."

The sentence comments that the subject "usually had a friendly relationship with the press." Therefore, a "surprising" tone would be unfriendly and even antagonizing to a reporter. "Asperity," meaning harshness or severity, is the correct answer choice.