ExplanationThe first of two trigger words, hardly, tells you that the outcome of war is not favorable, the clue word. The other trigger is even; you would expect a good outcome for the victors, but this is not the case here and so the nature of war must be very bad.
In choice (F), hegemony relates to war but the clue does not support a word that means domination. Choice (D) means strict or stern, but is also not a match for the clue. Choice (C) refers to pompous use of language, and choice (B) means a public display or discourse. Both should be eliminated. The correct answers, choices (A) and (E), mean evil or baseness.
Hence options A and E fit!
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