71. Staring at the abstract painting, Edna could not understand how so many of her fellow museumgoers could pretend to ______ its meaning, when, to her its message was so opaque.
A. obscure
B. advertise
C. comprehend
D. disparage
E. ignore
72. Mrs. Rodriquez was under the impression that discipline would ______ her wayward student's academic progress rather than advance it.
A. condone
B. foster
C. quicken
D. exalt
E. hamper