1. Ron didn’t know the rules of rugby, but he could tell by the crowd’s reaction that it was a critical ________ in the game.

2. Ariana was outstanding as the moderator; she handled the intensely heated debate with great ________, diplomatically and tactfully keeping the conversation fair and on track.

3. The editorial was essentially a(n) ________ to the governor, praising her for her enactment of a series of environmental laws and for balancing the state budget for the first time in 20 years.

4. The castaway’s hut was ________ by the natives curious to see who the intruder was upon their island.

5. The meticulous art student arranged her paint colors by a darkening ________ on her palette.

6. Sheila’s grueling hike included passing through numerous ________. a. terrariums

7. Elian tried his ________ on the wrong person, and it has finally landed him in jail.

8. Mike proved to be ________ throw after throw, hitting the carnival dart game’s bull’s eye every time.

9. During his routine, the stand-up comic refused to be shaken by the heckler who ________ him every few minutes.

10. The local high school issued a ________ on field trips until the bus was repaired; then traveling could begin again.