Midnight Magic and Context Clues

Use context clues to identify the best definition for the word in blue: 
When he opened his eyes and saw that the card was death he gasped.  Even as he did, a crash of lightning shook the house.  Simultaneously, an explosive pounding erupted on the front door.

• Happily
• Increasingly
• At the same time
• With great excitement

Though Mangus's life had been spared at the last moment by King Claudio, he remained under house arrest and was watched constantly.  Not allowed to even step outside, Mangus had agreed to shun all who came to his door

• embrace
• avoid
• attack
• watch

Slamming the door shut, Fabrizio all but burst into tears, convinced that by casting the tarot cards, he had brought on his master's doom.  With leaden feet, he went off to search for him.

• swift or fast
• agile or athletic
• heavy or slow
• talented or adept

On each floor were two rooms with little windows of thick glass that allowed but a smidgen of light to slip through.

• A large amount
• A small amount
• An unidentifiable amount
• A frightening amount

Rather small in stature with stooped shoulders and tired eyes, the man had aged considerably since his trial.  His beard was long and white.  His receding hair made it advisable to wear a cap with flaps to keep his ears warm.  

• unmanageable  
• large
• growing
• lessening

Identify the definitions of the two words in blue.
So saying, the boy took the parchment, crumpled it in his hands, then made a swirling motion with his right hand.  The parchment vansihed.
Mangus leaped up, aghast.  "Fabrizio!" he cried.  "How many times have i told you? No more tricks! People will turn against you as they have me.  Give me the message.
Chagrined, Fabrizio removed the parchment from his tunic sleeve, where he had slipped it.  

• excited, confidentally
• joyfully, noisily
• shocked, embarrased
• respectfully 

"Tell him to hurry," the soldier said.  "I'm soaked."  
"Do you wish to come in out of the storm, Signore,"
The soldier shook his head vehemently.  "A wet man does not fear the rain," he cried as thunder boomed from above.  

• expectantly
• simply
• jokingly
• angrily

Though born and raised in the city, Fabrizio had never been to the castello, which sat atop the steep hills and cast a shadow over the municipality.  

• river
• city
• mountains
• people

Use context clues to identify the definitions of the words in blue.
"You must not be seen," Scarazoni barked. "Pull up your hood."
Fabrizio reached behind Mangus and helped lift the cowl and settle it over his master's eyes, obscuring his face.

• shirt, highlighting
• mud, dirtying
• hood, hiding
• glasses, helping

Use context clues to identify the definition of the words in blue
The portcullis, the castello;s heavy gate, rose slowly, metal chains shrieking in the process.

• window, slowing
• walls, noisy
• hallway, stopping
• gate, screeching