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 So something that is “antiquated” is archaic, ancient, or outdated.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.

“Assemble” can mean put together from parts or come together as a group, so "make" is the correct answer. “Benefit” means provide help to; “vend” means sell; and “compute” means calculate.

The word "elevated" means, most generally, "higher than other things." Now, this most often is used to describe physical elevation—as in the elevated mountains in contrast to valleys and hills. However, it can also be applied to things that are elevated in the sense of being more noble or important. Thus, elevated discussion is discussion of important and noble things. Thus, among the words provided, the only option that directly recognizes such "heights" is "noble." Remember, "noble" not only refers to the person such as a prince or king. It also is an adjective meaning "excellent."

You most likely use "base" in the physical sense, describing something that is at the bottom of another thing—as in the base of a statue or some other thing. However, the meaning can be extended to mean anything that is low. This often is used to describe low morals or bad moral standards. Thus, to call something "base" is to say that the thing is immoral or very unacceptable. Thus, the best option here is "immoral."

Several of the other options try to trick you. A footstool seems low, but it is not synonymous with "base" even in the first sense discussed above. Also, we do often think of "military bases." However, these "bases" are the actual physical locations for the soldiers. The word is not synonymous with "militant" or "infantry".