The prefix circum- means round, or to go around, and in this instance “circumvent” means to go around something that you wish to avoid. To provide further help, “harangue” means berate, criticize; “excel” means do very well in; “extol” means praise; “examine” means look at. 

A “reclamation” is an attempt to recover something and as such is most similar in meaning to retrieval.

“Umbrage” is offense; “conjecture” is guesswork based on some evidence; “evaluation” means assessment, appraisal; “vehemence” means intensity and forcefulness. 

A “malady” is something that negatively affects someone, like an illness.

To provide further help, “zoology” is the study of animals; “absolution” is forgiveness from blame; an “ultimatum” is a final demand or opportunity to correct mistakes. 

The prefix alt- means other, and in this instance the word “altruism” literally means concern for the well-being of others. As such, it is closest in meaning to selflessness, which is the opposite of selfishness.

A “harbinger” is a bad omen; a “component” is a part of something larger; a “placebo” is something given to a patient that has no physical effect, but might do the patient some good because the patient believes it does have a physical effect. 

The prefix anti- most commonly means old or ancient. So something that is “antiquated” is archaic, ancient, or outdated. This is synonymous to antediluvian, which means prehistoric, ancient.

To provide further help, an “antibody” is something naturally produced in the body to fight off disease; here the prefix anti- more closely means against. A “pathogen” is a virus or bacterium carrying disease. Additionally, “contemporary” means modern, of the current time period, and “postmodern” is a school of thought that has arisen in the last few decades that focuses on self-conscious analysis and deconstruction and a rejection of the notion of high art or ultimate truth. Postmodernism might be confusing to you, but recognize that it has nothing to do with the word in question and is thus irrelevant.

“Antimony” is a conclusion reached in philosophy, law, or science that seems contradictory to another conclusion; the answer choice that is closest in meaning is paradox. A “paradox” is a logical inconsistency.

To provide further help, “parallel” means running side-by-side; “perpendicular” means opposite to parallel, intersecting only once; “opulence” is great luxury and wealth; “ornery” means irritable. 

The root "voc-" usually means related to speech, and indeed someone who is “vociferous” is extremely “loud” and enthusiastic about something. To provide further help, “edgy” means anxious or trend-setting.

As the play is four hours long we can infer that after a couple of hours the play would be half-way over. At the halfway point of most long plays there is a break, also known as an “intermission.” The prefixes inter- and intra- are similar to one another, but have one key difference. Inter- means between and intra- means within. “International” means global, between the countries of the world; “intramural” means within an organization. Additionally, “infrastructure” is buildings and transport facilities that keep a community moving forward; “intravenous” means needed to be injected into. 

It is likely the subject of the sentence would go see a doctor who specializes in sleep therapy. The prefix hypno­- means related to sleeping, so the correct answer for the first black is hypnotherapist. Alternatively, you could determine the correct answer based on the information about the doctor. An “untrained” doctor probably has qualifications that are likely not to be real, or to be phony.

To provide further help, a “pediatrician” is a doctor who specializes in childcare; a “somnambulist” is someone who sleep-walks; “authentic” means genuine, real; an “orthodontist” is someone who specializes in the medical care of teeth; “implacable” means unstoppable, relentless. 

If people are astonished when the subject of this sentence is finally defeated, he had most likely been considered unbeatable, or invincible.

“Adversary” is another name for enemy or opponent, so it is the most appropriate fit for the second blank.

To provide further help, “implacable” means relentless; “ally” means partner, friend; “vicarious” means sensational; “nemesis” is an enemy; “vacuous” means vain, empty-headed; “co-conspirator” is someone who helps plan and execute a conspiracy; “uniform” means standard; “volition” means will, desire. 

Note that "nemesis" is also an appropriate choice for the second blank, but "vicarious" makes no sense in the first blank, so we can eliminate that answer choice.