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C, E Note the contrast between the first part of the sentence and the second. According to the second part of the sentence, scholars don’t view Johnson’s ideas favorably. They reject them without much consideration. Yet, as the first part of the sentence says, Johnson was awarded tenure. Based on the second part of the sentence, you can predict that Johnson’s colleagues—that is, other scholars—would be “surprised” or “puzzled” by the fact that he was awarded tenure. (C) perplexed and (E) bewildered, both of which mean “confused,” match the prediction and are correct. The sentence does not imply that Johnson’s colleagues were (A) irate, which means “angry,” at his being granted tenure; and even if they were, there is no second choice to give the sentence the same meaning. (D) envious, or “jealous,” can be eliminated for the same reason. (F) gratified, or “pleased,” doesn’t make sense in light of the fact that Johnson’s colleagues reject his ideas. Finally, (B) unsurprised is the opposite of what the sentence calls for.