“Impugn” means to call into question something false or wrong. “Expurgate” means to censor. Since it wouldn’t make sense for a guilty murderer to be “absolved” or “exonerated,” these two can be eliminated. This leaves us with “alleged . . . acquitted” as the correct answer.

The sentence contains clues that his girlfriend might not be completely sincere in her career advice. "Long-winded explanations” and “speeches on how she could be better organized” are mentioned. “Didactic” means instructive. It is often used in a negative way, which is fitting for this sentence. To “advert” means to turn the attention to. “Adverted . . . didactic” is the best answer.

The first important clue here is the word "formerly," suggesting that there will be a shift in meaning contrasted with the word "now." The last part of the sentence tells us that the lake was changed in a negative way. Only "pristine" and "adulterated" fit the meaning of the sentence.

“Desecrate” means to defile or mistreat something sacred. This doesn’t work, given the context. “Prevaricate” means to mislead. To “amass” is to gather or collect over time. “Malodorous” is another way of saying that something stinks. “Amassed . . . malodorous” is the correct answer.

Note that the first part of the sentence presents us with a double shift, indicated by “though” and “anything but.” Thus, both parts of the sentence are more or less equivalent. “Jaded” means to make weary or dull. “Visceral” refers to an intuitive feeling involving base emotions. To “addle” means to confuse. “Visceral . . . addled” is our answer.

“Aromatic” is similar to “aroma,” except that it refers exclusively to things that smell good. “Savory” has a similar definition. “Acrid” refers to a sharp, unpleasant smell. “Permeate” means to fill or pass through every part. “Acrid . . . permeating” is the correct answer.

“Incite” and “goad” denote encouraging or prompting to action. If the patient's doctor had given him pills to trigger symptoms, then the patient needs to switch physicians. “Ancillary” describes something that aids or provides support. “Alleviate” means to lessen or make something easier. “Ancillary . . . alleviate” is the correct answer.

We know that the value of Theo's stocks is dropping ("plummeting") because he's losing thousands of dollars. The fact that he "never lets on the turbulence he feels" indicates that he is "impassive," or stoic.

“Rudimentary” refers to something being basic or at an early stage of development. “Perfunctory” refers to something done without great care or interest. Neither of these words will work, given the context. Also, note that “extenuate” does not mean to extend, but to make light of or treat as less serious. “Aggrandize” means to make greater. “Exhaustive” means to perform completely. “Aggrandize . . . exhaustive” is the correct answer.

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.