This sentence is a case of increasing intensity. The words "not merely . . . but instead" indicate that some people are not just unhappy. They are indeed very unhappy. To be "miserable" is to be extremely unhappy. This is the best choice for expressing a great degree of unhappiness.

Due to her quirky way of dressing and the fact that she dances around the classroom, the English teacher is best described as eccentric or unconventional.

The best word to describe the dishes that are typically eaten at an American Thanksgiving dinner is conventional; certain dishes are conventionally or normally served.

We can tell by the sentence's context that we're looking for an adjective that means something like old. While both "elderly" and "obsolete" mean old, "elderly" refers to people, while "obsolete" specifically means out of date. Because "obsolete" fits the context of the sentence best in referring to technologies that are no longer used, it is the best answer.

The key expression in this sentence is "after much bargaining," which indicates that the parties involved had to interact to come to their agreement. While this might have been the outcome of some legal or juridical proceeding, we cannot be certain of that. However, we can be sure that the parties "negotiated," that is, that they came to an agreement formed by discussion. Such a solution can likewise be designated by the adjective form "negotiated."

The word "mediocre" is often misused as though it means of poor quality. It really means of middle quality, as in not too good. Even if something is not "too good," it is still good. The point is that it doesn't "stick out" as being very, very good. Therefore, if you wish to develop your skills beyond mediocrity, you wish to make them exceptional, very good, or perhaps even perfect. The word "perfect" can be used as a verb meaning to make perfect, fully accomplished, or of highest quality. The most tempting wrong answer is "improve." However, people can improve their skills from being bad to being mediocre. This sentence wants to talk about improving all the way to perfection.

This sentence expresses a contrast between Julie and Sarah. Wheras Julie never sets any significant goals, it is implied that Sarah does set significant goals. While it might be said that the setting of such goals is "courageous" or even "energetic," we cannot assume that the goals are either frightening (needing courage of some sort) or that they require a lot of energy. They might require either, both, or neither of these. However, what we can say is that insofar as they are significant goals, they require some ambition. Ambition is not always a bad thing. An "ambitious" person aims to accomplish goals, generally difficult ones. This is the best option among those provided.

The girl is described as "beautiful" and the boy decides to ask her out on a date. It makes sense then that the boy was strongly attracted to and/or in love with the girl. The correct answer then is "smitten." To be "smitten" means to be deeply attracted to or in love with. To provide further help, "anxious" means worried; "timid" means shy; "docile" means harmless and obedient; "passive" means not aggressive, accepting and submissive.

First of all "autocratic" means tyrannical, despotic, relating to a system of government in which one man or one agency has absolute power. Now, an autocratic government would be likely to put down a "rebellion" or a "revolution" in a brutal fashion, so the correct answer must mean something like this. The correct answer therefore is "insurrection," which means a rebellion, a violent uprising against the existing government. To provide further help, a "competitor" is someone participating in a competition; the "victor" is the winner; a "community" is a social group, a group of people; an "antique" is an old, valuable item.

From the context of the sentence, you can infer that Steve would be likely to travel slowly to his friend's house; the sentence tells you he "was in no hurry." The answer choice that best captures this slow movement is “amble,” which means walk slowly. To help you, "sprint" means run quickly, and "allay" means calm or diminish and is usually used in the sense of allaying someone's fears or concerns.