Meaning: 'Deflects' means to cause something to change direction or to turn aside from a straight course, in this case, referring to how Guinness diverts curiosity away from himself.

Wrong options:

• swerves: 'Swerves' implies a sudden change in direction, often unexpectedly, which does not fit the deliberate nature of Guinness's actions.
• veers: 'Veers' suggests a change in direction but lacks the nuance of intentionality that 'deflects' conveys in this context.
• rebounds: 'Rebounds' indicates a return or bounce back, which does not align with the idea of diverting attention.

Correct answer: blind

Explanation: The word 'blind' fits contextually as it suggests a lack of awareness or insight, which is appropriate when discussing subservience. It also aligns grammatically as an adjective describing the type of subservience being referenced.

Meaning: 'Blind' means lacking perception or awareness, indicating a submissive attitude without questioning or understanding.

Wrong options:

• void: 'Void' refers to an emptiness or absence, which does not convey the intended meaning of unquestioning subservience.
• blank: 'Blank' suggests emptiness or lack of content, which does not fit the context of a submissive attitude.
• bare: 'Bare' implies something is exposed or stripped down, which does not accurately describe the nature of subservience in this context.

Correct answer: safeguard

Explanation: The word 'safeguard' is a verb that means to protect or ensure safety, fitting perfectly in the context of protecting one's private life. It maintains the grammatical structure of the sentence and aligns with the overall message.

Meaning: 'Safeguard' means to protect something from harm or danger, in this case, referring to protecting one's private life from public scrutiny.

Wrong options:

• immunize: 'Immunize' typically refers to making immune to disease, which does not fit the context of protecting one's private life.
• harbour: 'Harbour' means to keep or hold, but it does not convey the active sense of protection implied by 'safeguard.'
• cage: 'Cage' implies confinement, which does not align with the idea of protecting one's private life.

Correct answer: denying

Explanation: The word 'denying' fits grammatically as a gerund that describes the action of refusing or rejecting something. It aligns with the context of Paul Schofield intentionally avoiding attention, maintaining the sentence's flow and meaning.

Meaning: 'Denying' means to refuse to acknowledge or accept something, in this case, Schofield's choice to avoid public attention.

Wrong options:

• vetoing: 'Vetoing' implies an official rejection, which does not fit the personal context of Schofield's actions.
• rejecting: 'Rejecting' suggests a refusal but lacks the nuance of personal choice that 'denying' conveys in this context.
• forgoing: 'Forgoing' means to decide not to do or have something, which does not capture the active refusal implied by 'denying.'

Correct answer: due

Explanation: The word 'due' fits grammatically as an adjective indicating something that is deserved or owed. It aligns contextually with the idea of recognition that should have been given to Schofield.

Meaning: 'Due' means deserved or owed, referring to the attention and recognition that should have been rightfully his.

Wrong options:

• merit: 'Merit' refers to the quality of being particularly good or worthy, which does not fit the context of something owed or deserved.
• justification: 'Justification' implies a reason or explanation, which does not align with the idea of recognition or credit owed to someone.
• credit: 'Credit' refers to acknowledgment or praise, but it does not convey the sense of something that is deserved as 'due' does.

Correct answer: terms

Explanation: The word 'terms' fits grammatically as a noun that refers to conditions or stipulations. It aligns contextually with the idea of how Guinness enjoys fame on his own conditions, maintaining the sentence's coherence.

Meaning: 'Terms' refers to the conditions or stipulations under which something is done, in this case, how Guinness enjoys fame.

Wrong options:

• particulars: 'Particulars' refers to details or specifics, which does not fit the context of conditions or stipulations regarding fame.
• requirements: 'Requirements' implies necessary conditions, which does not capture the personal nature of how Guinness enjoys fame.
• rules: 'Rules' suggests strict guidelines, which does not align with the more flexible notion of 'terms' in this context.