1) Explanation

Let's break down the sentence blank by blank, looking for logical connections and the precise meaning required.
- Blank (i): "Two of the most illustrious composers of the Baroque period-Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel—were close (i) $\qquad$ . Both were born in Germany in 1685; Bach died in 1750, still in Germany, while Handel died in 1759 in England..."
- The sentence states they were both born in the same country in the same year (1685) and lived during the same historical period (Baroque). This indicates they lived at the same time.
- A. competitors: While they might have been competitors in a broad sense, the primary shared characteristic highlighted is their birth year and period, not necessarily direct competition.
- B. contemporaries: People living or existing at the same time. This perfectly fits the information given about their birth year and the period they lived in.
- C. contestants: People who take part in a contest or competition. This is too specific and doesn't capture the general relationship of living at the same time.

So, Blank (i) is B. contemporaries.
- Blank (ii): "...Handel died in 1759 in England, having (ii) $\qquad$ from Germany after spending time in Italy mastering the operatic form."
- Handel was born in Germany but died in England. The blank describes his action of moving from Germany to live elsewhere (specifically, England, after spending time in Italy).
- D. disaffected: Dissatisfied with people in authority or a system. This describes a state of mind, not the act of moving from one country to another.

- E. absconded: Left hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest. This implies a secretive or illegal departure, which is not suggested by the context of a composer moving for his career.
- F. emigrated: Left one's own country in order to settle permanently in another. This perfectly describes Handel's move from Germany to England (via Italy).

So, Blank (ii) is F. emigrated.
Putting It Together:
"Two of the most illustrious composers of the Baroque period-Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel—were close contemporaries. Both were born in Germany in 1685; Bach died in 1750, still in Germany, while Handel died in 1759 in England, having emigrated from Germany after spending time in Italy mastering the operatic form."

This completed passage accurately reflects the historical facts and the logical flow of the sentence.