Question

1. from the deck of the starship, they gazed in awe at the empty black (alliance, void) of outer space.
2. (malignant, virtual) gossip has unjustly damaged their reputation
3. i can understand that you want to be witty and amusing, but try not to make people think youre a mere (alliance, buffoon)
4. for this job, we hope to hire people who have a (spirited, disheartened) and upbeat attitude, not ones who are drab and dull.
5. though her views about the role of women in society are far from (hostile, orthodox), even conservatives and traditionalists listen to them.
6. he plays computer games so much that he almost seems to live in a (virtual, void) world instead of in reality with the rest of us.
7. (controversial, malignant) growths need to be removed as soon as possible by an experienced surgeon.
8. walking through the meadow at night, we could hear mice and other small animals (scurrying, wincing) in the grass.
9. “whenever you find (wayward, controversial) children,” the speaker said, “you also find ineffective parents.”
10. that joke was so unfunny, even the comedian herself gave a (buffoon, wince)

Explanation:

1. "void" is the appropriate word as it means an empty space, fitting the context of outer - space.
2. "malignant" means harmful or malicious, which is appropriate for gossip that damages reputation.
3. "buffoon" means a silly or foolish person, which makes sense in the context of not wanting to be thought of as such.
4. "spirited" means full of energy and enthusiasm, which is what is desired for the job.
5. "orthodox" means traditional or conventional, which contrasts with the idea of views being far from the norm.
6. "virtual" is used to describe a computer - generated world.
7. "malignant" growths are harmful and need to be removed.
8. "scurrying" describes the quick movement of small animals like mice.
9. "wayward" means disobedient or unruly, which is appropriate for children in this context.
10. "wince" means to make a slight grimace or shrinking movement of the face, which is what a comedian might do at a bad joke.

Answer:

1. void
2. malignant
3. buffoon
4. spirited
5. orthodox
6. virtual
7. malignant
8. scurrying
9. wayward
10. wince