The successful novelist knew that her latest book, a(n) ____ tale of star-crossed lovers and murder-for-hire, was not her best.

A(n) ____ group of children abandoned their game of marbles to gather around the burly old man.

Two ____ clad in bib overalls sat in lawn chairs near the front door of the little gas station and staring at Dave---they didn't see city folk often.

Her agent, a fawning ____ who simply wanted more money and fame, said it was the novelist's best writing to date.

The gentleman delivered a(n) ______ sales pitch from the top of the wagon in the town square.

Dave gave a(n) ___ nod to old men before placing the pump nozzle into his fuel tank.

Anne knew better than to take her agent's ___ comments seriously.

The burly man was selling genuine musical instruments, he said, and he ___ his claims by unveiling samples of trumpets, clarinets, flutes, and even some snares.

Dave did not want to be ____ during his first visit to the country in years.

The agent was simply ____ about receiving his guaranteed dividend as stated in the contract.

In response to those in the crowd who asserted that he was simply a scam artist who would take everyone's money and leave town without providing the instruments, the quick-witted man expressed overly forceful ___ suggesting that his accusers simply feared that the town's children might have an opportunity that their parents never had.

As the ancient pump made audible "dings" to mark each gallon of gas, Dave stepped away from the car and breathed in the ___ smell of corn husks.

Anne was the one who was ___ in imparting sudden, undeserved wealth to her agent.

In three days, the salesman had collected enough orders--and cash--to complete the ____ step in his plan; to get as far away from the little town as he possibly could before the people realized that they had been conned.