Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly a synonym for the word in CAPITAL LETTERS in the following sentence. Agatha RUMINATED for weeks about the consequences of telling Arthur about the affair.

The recent shenanigans in the town square went against all PRECEPTS of decency.

Alicia, who loved both men equally and wanted to hurt neither, found herself in quite a QUANDARY over which one she should choose.

It’s a good thing you’re so _________ at paperwork, because you’ll need to fill out hundreds of forms to __________ a child.

The _________ poet, knowing his death was _________, struggled to finish his final ode.

The journalist denied that he had any PRURIENT interest in the politician’s private life, but his titillating articles seemed to indicate otherwise.

The crafty spy gave a ____________ name to the hotel clerk.

We fully expect Elizabeth to FOIST her work on us and disappear for the weekend as usual.

The mysterious message Claude received could be a HARBINGER of what’s in store for him and his family.

The exchange student was disheartened by the rather BRUSQUE welcome she received from her host family.

A position that entails little work but provides a salary