The Right Answers

Blank 1: Use Math Strategy for this blank. The "but" after the word "English" indicates that the two ideas contrast each other. The second idea states that "Clark is never unclear," which is obviously positive. To contrast that idea, we can guess a word like "terrible" for blank 1.

The answer choice that most closely matches this guess is defiant. It's not a match with our guess "terrible," but defiant is really the only negative word of the three.

Blank 2: Use the Previously Referenced Strategy for this blank. The "this" in front of blank 2 lets us know that an idea from before the blank is being repeated. If we look before, we can see from blank 1 that Clark was a "defiant" speller. Repeating this idea, we can guess a phrase like "breaking of" for blank 2.

The answer that most closely matches this guess is disregard for.

The Wrong Answers

Blank 1

indefatigable: This choice contradicts the logic of the sentence because "indefatigable" has a positive connotation.
fastidious: This choice contradicts the logic of the sentence for two reasons. First, the sentence clearly lets us know that Clark was NOT "fastidious," or careful, with his spelling. Second, it has a positive connotation.

Blank 2

partiality toward: This choice contradicts the logic of the sentence. If Clark had a bias toward spelling, we would expect him to be good at it -- not bad.
unpretentiousness about: This is a pretty good trap answer. People who are not great at spelling do have a certain unpretentiousness about them. They are not obsessed with society's expectations. Unfortunately, this choice has no evidence in the sentence. We don't know about the pretension levels of Clark.