“Insult” is a rude expression intended to offend someone and “polite” is showing behavior that is considerate of others. None of the other options exhibit this self-contradictory effect that is characteristic of an oxymoron. Hence, the correct answer is option 2

“Elusive” means 'difficult to achieve' and fits the blank aptly. “Illusive” meaning 'deceptive', “exclusive” meaning 'excluding other things' and “intrusive” meaning 'causing disruption' do not fit in the sentence.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Oxymoron is the figure of speech which has a combination of words that have opposite or very different meanings. “Bland” means 'insipid or mild-tasting'. Therefore, “bland spice” is an oxymoron.

Frozen water is ice. 'Melting' is opposite in meaning to 'freezing'. Hence, “melted ice” is an oxymoron.

Evil is “morally wrong” and “pure” means 'free from moral taint'. Hence, “pure evil” is an oxymoron.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4

The sentence represents a contradiction as it begins by saying that East Timor got independence and then goes on to say that it suffers from corruption. Hence, a similar word with a negative connotation is required in the first blank. “Productive” has a positive connotation attached to it and is eliminated. “Unethical” does not fit in the sentence logically and is eliminated. Only “unfortunate” and “impoverished” make for an apt fit.

Now for the second blank, we need a word which gives the cause of the plight of East Timor after independence. Among “damaging” and “catastrophic”, only “damaging” fits as “catastrophic” is extreme given the tone of the sentence.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

One of the meanings of the idiom “To cut corners” is 'to take shortcuts”. The other options are unrelated.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

The action described in the conditional tense will happen later; so the preposition to be used is “to”.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2

“Chauffeur” means 'a driver

“Ruffle” means 'to destroy the smoothness or evenness of somehting'. “Rumple” means 'giving a ruffled appearance to' and is a synonym of the given word. “Motley” means 'variegated appearance'. “Placid” means 'calm and peaceful'. “Detangle” means 'to untangle something that is tangled'.Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

The sentence has a negative tone, and therefore both words should possess a negative connotation. As the doctors would be unable to explain the cause of death of the child, the appropriate word to describe them would be “baffled” meaning 'confused'. The tragic incident would cause the parents to be mentally tortured and only “agony” describes this suffering.

The words in the other options would make the sentence logically incoherent.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

“Ennui” is a noun which means 'boredom'. “Vigor” means 'energetic' and is an antonym of “ennui”. “Ardent” means 'passionate' and “avid” means 'showing great interest' and is a synonym of “ardent”. “Pathetic” means 'arousing pity' and “feeble” means 'physically or mentally weak'. “Affluent” means 'wealthy' and “effluent” means 'discharged sewage'. “Stoical” means 'impassive; characterized by a calm, austere fortitude'. “Responsive” means 'responding readily and sympathetically to appeals, efforts, influences etc'.

Hence, only option 1 reflects the relationship presented by the given pair. Hence, the correct answer is option 1.