For the first blank, we can infer that because Sally's dress "involved feathers, fringe, sequins and a long train," we need to pick out a word that means something like "complex" or "conspicuous." Neither "simple" or "demure" can be correct, because they are antonyms of "complex" and "conspicuous," but either "flamboyant" (when describing clothing, "noticeable because brightly colored, highly patterned, or unusual in style") or "ostentatious" ("characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice") could be potentially correct. For the second blank, we can infer that we need to pick out a word that means something like "eventually agreed"; either "admitted" or "conceded" ("admitted that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it") could be potentially correct. Of the possible words that we've identified as potentially correct for each blank, only "flamboyant" and "conceded" appear in the same answer choice, so the correct answer is "flamboyant . . . conceded."

"Inchoate" works because it means new, and it describes the state of the school, which we know is new because it just opened its first physical location. "Concerned" works because we know the moms are worried about the school not having experience.

"Deep" doesn't work because no indications have been made about the extensiveness of the school network.

"Power-hungry" doesn't work, because a school system typically wouldn't be described with adjectives reserved for humans, except in specific cases. Thus, the whole answer is incorrect.

"Respectful" doesn't work, because a school system typically wouldn't take adjectives reserved for humans, and no indications have been made that this example is different. Thus, the whole answer is incorrect.

"Unabashed," meaning demonstrating no shame or fear, doesn't work to describe the school system; again, this is a very human adjective.

"Mellifluous", meaning sweet and melodious, works because it describes the singing birds. "Hungry" works as it provides reason for the cat eating the birds.

For the first blank, we're looking for a word that means growing, so we can eliminate the answer choices that start with "waning," "wilting," and "antediluvian." Considering the remaining choices, we're looking for a word for the second blank that means dry or dead. Since "arable" means able to be cultivated, we can eliminate that choice in favor of "desiccated," which means dried out. The correct answer choice is "burgeoning . . . desiccated."

"Sheepish" describes the little girl and the quietness that seems attached to her persona, given that she hasn't found her voice; "Meek" also works, as it describes a boyfriend who is quite similar to the girl. This option was the only one where the descriptive adjectives were appropriately matched in connotation and tone.

"Anodyne", meaning actively inoffensive, works because it describes the song. "Crotchety" works here because it describes the old woman who is perpetually upset.

As with any two-or-three-blank text completion question, you should start by identifying which blank is the most limited in its potential answers. In the context of the sentence, the first blank seems to allow for countless possibilities. As it turns out, a quick glance at the answer choices reveals three answers which seemingly might satisfy this first blank. So instead, we will start with the second blank. As indicated by the "effluence of rotting food," we are in search of a word which means bad-smelling. Of the answer choices, only "noisome" matches this description. To confirm our answer, we see that "squalid" fits properly in the first blank, and thus we have arrived at the correct choice.

The waiter "went above and beyond, anticipating the party's every need." In other words, he was "solicitous" (attentive and caring). The cuisine was described as "fit for the goods" or ambrosial. Don't be lured into "culinary" as an answer choice - "culinary cuisine" would be redundant.

The sentence indicates that the man's look was angry. The only words that might fit that are "baleful" and "irate." "Sidereal" means having to do with the stars and is nonsensical here; "solicitous" means caring or inquiring; and "avaricious" means greedy. The second word has to describe darkness in a cave, which makes it impossible for the two people to see each other's faces. "Inchoate" means unformed or undeveloped, so it's not a word one would use to describe darkness. "Stygian" refers to a complete and unfathomable darkness like that thought to exist over the river Styx in mythology, so the answer is "baleful . . . stygian."

In case you stumbled on the word “excursions,” it refers to short, pleasurable trips or outings. “Constitutional” can refer to governing principles, but it can also mean that something is beneficial to one’s health (one's "constitution"). “Elated” means that the subject was in high spirits. “Ambulatory” refers to involving walking or being able to walk. “Elated . . . ambulatory” is the best choice.