The easier blank to choose is the second one, for it indicates a kind of intensification from the adjectival phrase "attentive to details." The best option here is "fastidious," which means very attentive to details—an appropriate option! When a professor is so attentive to detail, it is likely that he will be called a "pedant," which describes just such an academic person.

This sentence clearly makes a parallel between "succinct" and the second blank. The idea is that Frederick's statements appear to be short. That is, they appear to be rather brief. Hence, they have the appearance of "brevity"—meaning briefness. The word "pithy" can describe a dense part of fruit (the "pith"), but it can also mean short and expressive, describing language that pierces to its meaning directly. This seems to be an excellent description for Frederick's remarks—at least for how they appear.

We are not told much about John’s actions toward his students, other than the fact that he is staring at them. The implication is that he is staring very strongly at them—he is “not merely \[staring\].” The word “glower” means to scowl—a very strong sort of look. When someone "prattles," he or she talks at length foolishly or about things that are not important. This functions well for describing the students' actions, which so vexed John.

The first blank needs an intensified form of "kindness," but in a particular sense. It is not mere "doting" kindness offered to the older man; instead, Peter listens carefully to the old man's words, implying that he regards them highly. This means that he holds them in "high esteem." (Hence, we find the second blank first.) This helps us to ascertain the first blank. To be "deferential" is to be respectful or, more literally, to show deference, meaning to show humble respect. This works well to express Peter's disposition with adequate strength and clarity.

The main clue in this sentence is the expression, "which could almost cause deafness." This implies that Byron's speaking style was very loud. It is most likely that it had this effect on those who were sitting at the locations closest to him. The "proximity" is the close space around someone. Words related to "proximity" are "approximate" and "proxy." "Stentorian" describes a style of speaking that is very loud. This best fits the clues mentioned above.

"Acuity" can be defined as mental sharpness or understanding, "query" as a question. All of the other definitions don't fit the context of the sentence.

"Egotism" means selfishness; "affront" means insult.

"Voracity refers to greediness; "quailing" refers to trembling.

"Pugnaciousness" means d_etermined aggression_; "resistance" means struggle.

"Obsequiousness means prone to excessive flattery; to "protest" is to dissent.

This sentence states that the ring is a "finely crafted item"; therefore, it is no mere trinket or piece of junk. A "bauble" is a showy but worthless item. This offers a good contrast to the finely crafted item that it actually is. The quality of such a finely crafted ring would be of highest quality—or "superior," which can express such quality in general.

Clearly, Lisa only wants to refer to the hairline in an indirect manner (at best). Since the hairline is receding, it is "going back" across his head. (This is, of course, the meaning of "receding.") The verb "ebbed" means "to go back or out." Often, we talk about the tides ebbing back out to sea. We could apply this idea to the hairline, even if it is not a normal manner of speaking. The word "obliquely" means indirectly. This is indeed how Lisa wants to approach this manner, given her fear of insulting the man.

This sentence establishes a clear case of increased intensity. The first blank is much more intense than the second (given the use of the word "absolute"). The only option that expresses this increase in intensity is "frigidity . . . unpleasantness." "Frigidity" can mean "coldness" in an emotional manner, as in someone who is cold and unkind, basically unwilling to communicate.

We tend to think of dogmas and being “dogmatic” in terms of religious beliefs. In general, the term “dogmatic” describes a set of beliefs that are established on the strength of an authority. This describes the obedience paid to Aristotle described in the first half of this sentence. The critics, however, also did not alter their own positions much. Hence, “beliefs” is a good option for the second blank.