Section: Verbal Reasoning

2) The columnist was very gentle when she mentioned her friends, but she was bitter and even ___ when she discussed people who ___ her.

1. laconic .. infuriated
2. acerbic .. irritated
3. remorseful .. encouraged
4. millitant .. distinguished
5. stoical .. alienated

The columnist was acerbic (bitingly sarcastic) in writing of those who provoked or irritated her. Note the use of but to establish the contrast between the two clauses, and the use of even to indicate that the missing word is stronger than bitter.