12. The heavy rains caused the garden party to ______ into a chaotic scramble for the indoor patio. A) Debase B) Degenerate C) Deject D) Deplete

2. The scholar spent decades compiling a massive ______ of 17th-century poetry to preserve the era's literary heritage. A) Vocation B) Contretemps C) Anthology D) Posterity

11. After the scandal, the CEO found it impossible to ______ his image, even with a massive PR campaign. A) Debunk B) Defame C) Rehabilitate D) Degenerate

19. Although they worked for the same company, the two departments had ______ goals that often led to internal friction. |A) Disparate B) Antipodal C) Replete D) Autocratic

17. Critics ______ the director's latest film, calling it a predictable and uninspired mess. A) Exonerated B) Derided C) Anthologized D) Repleted

6. The manager’s ______ style of leadership—demanding total control over every minor detail—led to high turnover. A) Autonomous B) Degenerate C) Autocratic D) Vociferous

15. His ______ lifestyle meant he never stayed in one city for more than a month, always seeking new inspiration. A) Autocratic B) Peripatetic C) Posthumous D) Disparate

3. Despite the team's crushing defeat, the captain was ______ in his post-game interview, praising the opponent’s superior strategy. A) Dejected B) Autocratic C) Malignant D) Magnanimous

16. The defense attorney hoped the new DNA evidence would completely ______ her client of all charges. A) Decry B) Exonerate C) Debase D) Deride

8. The witness's testimony was so full of ______ that the jury struggled to stay serious during his word choices. A) Contretemps B) Malapropisms C) Debilities D) Vocations

14. The archeologist found the tomb ______ with ancient artifacts, many of which had never been documented. A) Replete B) Depleted C) Defunct D) Antipodal

20. While painting might be his true ______, he works as an accountant to pay the bills. A) Anthology B) Posterity C) Vocation D) Contretemps

10. Environmentalists ______ the new legislation, arguing it would rapidly ______ the state's natural water reserves. A) Decried; Deplete B) Debunked; Defile C) Derided; Exonerate D) Deplored; Replete