Vultures have highly acidic stomachs, which allow them to digest harmful bacteria and viruses such as anthrax, tuberculosis, and rabies. This unique ability helps to prevent diseases from spreading to humans and other animals.

The sentence describes a frightened child standing among many people, leading to an emotional reaction. The most logical choice is "strangers" because being surrounded by unfamiliar people can make a child feel scared. The word "sob" (meaning to cry uncontrollably) fits well, as a frightened child is likely to react this way.

The word ‘Nevertheless’ indicates that first clause of the sentence is positive expression. So the other clause might be reverse expression. Thus, QUALMS expresses the condition correctly.

The sentence states that the members of the orchestra had to arrive an hour before the performance for a short session. The most suitable word to complete the sentence is "rehearsal", as it refers to a practice session before a performance.

The sentence states that the prices of essential food items like edible oil, lentils, flour, and semolina have increased. The second part of the sentence explains that these items are not produced in urban areas but instead come from (transported) rural areas.

A pitfall refers to a hidden danger or difficulty that could cause problems, especially in a regulatory or monitoring context. The sentence suggests that the regulatory agency must act quickly to identify if there is any hidden risk or problem. Therefore, "pitfall" fits best.

Speculators in the stock market often influence investors by using dictums (authoritative statements or pronouncements) from others. This can create a big challenge for the stock market, as investors may act based on these statements rather than solid financial analysis.

In winter, dew drops gather (concentrate) on a cobweb, making it look like a jeweled wonder. The comparison suggests that the web appears subtly glowing, which matches the meaning of "luminous" (softly shining).

Leprosy patients often suffer due to a lack of awareness, which means people may misunderstand the disease. As a result, instead of receiving proper treatment, they are sometimes excluded or isolated from society. The word "ostracized" means to be socially shunned or excluded, making it the most appropriate choice.

Lions are usually social animals (gregarious), but they sometimes hunt alone. However, when they catch prey, pride members eat it together. The word "devour" means to eat hungrily and quickly, which accurately describes how lions consume their prey.