The word “heretic” is perhaps used by many people in inexact manners. It is originally derived from Greek that merely meant “to choose” or “to select.” While it is regularly applied to religious matters, the term more generally means “one who has chosen one doctrine to the exclusion of others.” Such a person holds an opinion that is outside the norms and beliefs of a given group. An “apostate” is one who has abandoned a set of views—often religious, though not always. Among the options provided, this is the closest to “heretic.”

"Ward" is a noun that can mean "a separate room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient," "an administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councilor or councilors," or "a person, usually a minor, under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court." So, we need to pick out an answer choice that means something like "a separate room in a hospital," "an administrative division of a city," or "a person under the care of a guardian." "Protector," then, cannot be the correct answer, because "protector" means the opposite of the third definition of "ward." "Dependent," however, when used as a noun, means "a person who relies on another, especially a family member, for financial support," and because "dependent" is the answer choice closest in meaning to "ward," "dependent" is the correct answer.

An "insurgent" is a rebel, someone seeking to overthrow the existing political order. While "insurgents" may, in fact, act as "soldiers," not all insurgents are directly involved with warfare, nor are any insurgents members of an official state-sanctioned army, so the two words are not synonymous.

A "peer" is a contemporary, an equal, someone of the same social grouping as you. To provide further help, a "juror" is someone who sits on a jury; an "outlaw" is a bandit, someone who operates outside the law; a "legislator" is a lawmaker.

Do not confuse the word “rabble” with “ramble.” The latter means either “to wander” or “to speak in a confused, unending manner.” A “rabble” is a disorganized mob, sometimes implying that such people are the “low class rabble.” The best option among those provided would be “mob.”

"Stevedore" and "dockworker" are both synonyms. "Drivel" means foolish talk or babble. "Virtuoso" means a person who is an expert. "Dotard" means a fogy or dull person. "Instigator" means troublemaker or agitator.

A "recluse" is a person who lives alone and avoids all contact with people. This is very similar in meaning to a "hermit." To provide further help, a "protagonist" is the hero of a story; an "antagonist" is the villian of a story.

The noun “mechanic” merely means one who specializes in maintaining and fixing things that are mechanical, that is, machinery and technology. Options like “technical” and “fabricated” do not work, as they are adjectives. “Laborer” is not as close as “technician,” which best captures the sense of working on technological (hence mechanical) things.

"Sycophant" means lackey, croney, or minion. "Analogue" means parallel or matching. "Implication" means association or suggestion. "Enigma" means riddle or puzzle. "Misanthrope" means someone who hates others.

"Savant" and "intellectual" both mean an academic or highly intelligent person. "Amateur" means beginner or learner. "Misogynist" means someone who hates women. "Iconoclast" is someone who breaks from established norms or traditions. "Enigma" is a puzzle or riddle.