Often, we use the term “ramble” to mean that someone is talking without ceasing and without making any discernable point. This sense of the word is related to another meaning, namely, “to wander” or “to go walking without any real destination.” When someone rambles in words, he or she merely lets his or her thoughts wander about whatever topic is pleasing—like one wandering on forest pathways.

The word furious can mean very angry, as when we say, "He was furious that his little sister hit him in the head five times." It can also indicate that someone is acting in a very intense manner. Thus, a person who is working quickly at a task can be said to work at a "furious pace." Do not be tempted by the option "annoyed" because it is related to being angry. The "anger-related" meaning of furious indicates great anger. Thus, you must choose the other meaning, namely, "intense."

Likely, you know the definition of "frantic" that means extremely anxious or worried, as when we say, "He was frantic after his son did not show up by ten at night." The word "frantic," however, can also be used to describe the kind of hurried activity that accompanies such a state. Thus, someone can work "frantically," meaning that he or she is working at a fast pace. Thus, the only applicable option is "hurried," which is synonymous to this second meaning.

The word "rustic" is used to describe something that is in the country. It could indicate that the thing in question is merely in a rural location. It also can be used in a positive manner to describe a kind of simple beauty that is involved in the thing. The word does have a negative connotation, for it can be used to imply that someone is uncivilized or uncultured because he or she does not live in the city. Thus, the option "unsophisticated" matches this last meaning. (The word "impoverished" does not, as "rustic" does not primarily have to do with being financially disadvantaged.)

The word "pastoral" may remind you of the title "pastor", which is used for various Christian religious leaders. The words are related, both coming from the Latin for "shepherd." Indeed, "pastoral" can even be used as an adjective to describe the particular sorts of duties undertaken by such a minister; however, none of the religion-related options here are appropriate. A better synonym for this religious meaning would be "ministerial." "Pastoral" can also be used to describe land in the country—where a shepherd would be. Thus, the option "rural" is the correct answer for this question.

When someone is "arrested" by the police, he or she is stopped (among other things). The adjective “arresting” describes something that stops a person, as when someone sees an “arresting view” in nature. Such a sight makes the person “stop in his or her tracks.” Such things could be called "fascinating," for arresting things are generally quite interesting and engrossing as are fascinating ones. All of the other answers are attempting to draw you into false resonances with the “police sense” of “arrest.”

The word "modest" has several meanings, though all of them have to do (in general) with being in the "middle" or "moderate." Modesty is the character trait of not bragging but, instead, having an accurate idea about one's abilities. A "modest income" is an acceptable income—not too much, not too little. The word does, however, emphasize the fact that it is not too much. Thus, it has a shading of meaning that indicates that it is a smaller amount. Still, the general idea is to express that it is not a large amount. For this question, "modest" is used in yet another sense. When a young lady has on a "modest dress", she is wearing something that is not overly revealing of her physique. Thus "modest" can mean proper, as in suitable.

The word "pellucid" comes from Latin roots that mean light. This is the "-luc-" root that comes from "lux, lucis." To be "pellucid" means, literally, to let light shine through. Thus, the word can be a synonym for "translucent," which also contains the lux root. Often, the word is used to describe someone's ability to communicate ideas clearly and understandably. Such a person lets the ideas "shine through." Thus, the best option among those offered is "understandable." Something that is "pellucid" in this latter sense is something understandable—like a "clear idea", as many say.

The word “masses” used in the plural can have two main meanings. The first would be “masses” as in certain amounts of matter. For example, we talk about a tumor as being a “mass,” meaning that it is an undefined amount of matter in one place in the body. It can be used, of course, for any such set of masses. However, it can also be extended from this basic sense to indicate a large amount of “human matter” (speaking metaphorically). Thus, it comes to mean a large group of people, generally undifferentiated. At the foot of the U.S. Statue of Liberty is a plaque containing the words of the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. It contains the famous words, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” It is calling other countries to send to the U.S. the “masses” (the trapped crowds, at least as portrayed in the poem) from other nations. Often, the word “masses” has a negative sense, as in “the uneducated masses.” Among the answers provided, "people" is the only one that describes the "masses" as the "people" in general.

The word "fabricate" comes from Latin roots roughly meaning "to make or create." A related word is "fabric", which is a carefully crafted type of cloth. The word "fabricate" can have a negative connotation too, and this is the case for this question. A "fabrication" can be a lie—something that is "made up", as we often say in day-to-day speech. To "fabricate a tale" means to craft and tell a lie or false story. When we "counterfeit", we make something that is false—such as false money, which we most often describe by the adjective "counterfeit" (though "counterfeit" can also be used as a verb).