Question

the criminal attempted to ______ his theft by saying he needed food for his family.
o extenuate
o importune
o frivolous
o besmirch

the dictators huge smile that resulted from his ______ actions against prisoners shocked the international community.
o sadistic
o sanguine
o ephemeral
o fortuitous

Explanation:

1. For the first sentence, "extenuate" means to make (an offense) seem less serious by providing excuses. The criminal is trying to make his theft seem less serious by claiming he needed food for his family. "Importune" means to trouble someone with frequent or persistent requests. "Frivolous" means not having any serious purpose or value. "Besmirch" means to damage the reputation of someone or something.
2. For the second sentence, "sadistic" means deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or suffering on others. The dictator's actions against prisoners are cruel and the smile from such actions is indicative of sadism. "Sanguine" means optimistic or positive. "Ephemeral" means lasting for a very short time. "Fortuitous" means happening by chance rather than intention.

Answer:

1. A. extenuate
2. A. sadistic