1) Explanation

Let's break down the sentence blank by blank, looking for logical consistency and clues from the surrounding context. The overall tone is one of crisis and negative economic/social conditions.
- Blank (i): "The country was in crisis: the article reported a large percentage of the population living in (i) \($\qquad$ \), high unemployment rates, and a growing (ii)\( $\qquad$\) between the quality of life of the upper and lower classes."
- The "crisis" and "high unemployment rates" set a negative economic tone. The blank describes a state of living for a "large percentage of the population."
- A. acrimony: Bitterness or ill feeling. This describes a feeling, not an economic state of living.
- B. indigence: A state of extreme poverty. This fits perfectly with "crisis" and "high unemployment rates" as a severe economic condition.
- C. sumptuousness: The state of being splendid and expensive-looking. This is the opposite of a crisis situation.

So, Blank (i) is B. indigence.

- Blank (ii): "...and a growing (ii) \($\qquad$ \) between the quality of life of the upper and lower classes."
- The blank describes something "between the quality of life of the upper and lower classes." In a crisis with high unemployment and poverty, the difference between rich and poor would be increasing.
- D. disparity: A great difference. This accurately describes a growing gap or difference in quality of life between classes.
- E. plethora: A large or excessive amount of something. This doesn't fit the "between" structure or the idea of a growing difference.
- F. rancor: Bitterness or resentfulness, especially long-standing. This describes a feeling, not a difference in quality of life.

So, Blank (ii) is D. disparity.
- Blank (iii): "Additionally, a growing percentage of the population did not have access to affordable health care, housing, or (iii) \($\qquad$\) education."
- This lists essential services that a population might lack during a crisis, alongside "affordable health care" and "housing." The blank describes the type of education they lack.
- G. commensurate: Corresponding in size or degree; in proportion. This describes a relationship or proportion, not the quality of education itself.
- H. adequate: Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity. This implies a basic, sufficient level. Lacking "adequate" education fits the pattern of lacking affordable essential services.
- I. quixotic: Extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; unrealistic, impractical. This describes idealism, not a level of education.

So, Blank (iii) is $\(\mathbf{H}\)$. adequate.

Putting It Together:
"The country was in crisis: the article reported a large percentage of the population living in indigence, high unemployment rates, and a growing disparity between the quality of life of the upper and lower classes. Additionally, a growing percentage of the population did not have access to affordable health care, housing, or adequate education."

This creates a cohesive and logical description of a country in a severe social and economic crisis.