Question

the school enforced ______ rules to maintain order. *
provincial
stringent
jaded
hackneyed
he took ______ at the insult, even though none was intended. *
umbrage
drivel
callow
lassitude
the movie critic had become ______ after reviewing hundreds of similar films.
jaded
provincial

Explanation:

• For the first sentence, “stringent” means strict, which makes sense for rules to maintain order. “Provincial” relates to a province or being narrow - minded, “jaded” means bored or uninterested, and “hackneyed” means over - used.
• For the second sentence, “took umbrage” is a common phrase meaning to be offended. “Drivel” is nonsense, “callow” means immature, and “lassitude” is tiredness.
• For the third sentence, “jaded” fits as reviewing many similar films would make a critic bored or unimpressed. “Provincial” does not fit the context of a critic's experience.

Answer:

1. B. stringent
2. A. umbrage
3. A. jaded