1) Explanation

Let's break down the sentence blank by blank, looking for logical connections and the overall tone. The story is about an incredible discovery and its positive consequences.
- Blank (i): "The two explorers could scarcely believe their (i) $\qquad$ fortune; they had gone deep into the rain forest in quest of medicinal plants and found not only the healing herb but also the ruins of (ii) $\qquad$ city."
- The explorers found a "healing herb" and "ruins of a city." This is presented as a positive, surprising discovery. The blank describes the nature of their "fortune."
- A. adverse: Unfavorable, harmful. This is the opposite of a positive discovery.
- B. calamitous: Involving or causing sudden disaster; disastrous. This is also negative.
- C. propitious: Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable. This fits the idea of a very lucky and fortunate discovery.

So, Blank (i) is C. propitious.
- Blank (ii): "...but also the ruins of (ii) $\qquad$ city."
- Finding "ruins of a city" in the deep rainforest, especially after finding a rare herb, suggests that this city was significant, perhaps ancient, or previously undiscovered. The overall tone is one of "incredible discovery."
- D. an unexceptional: Not unusual or special; ordinary. This would diminish the "incredible discovery."
- E. clandestine: Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit. While it was unknown, "clandestine" implies secrecy (often illicit), not necessarily grandeur or historical significance. It's more about how it was hidden, not its inherent quality.
- F. an unillustrious: Not distinguished or famous; obscure. This would also diminish the "incredible discovery."

Self-correction/Refinement for Blank (ii): The word "ruins" itself implies something that once was. If the discovery is "incredible," the city must have been remarkable in some way. The options provided are mostly negative. Let's reconsider. If a city is found deep in the rainforest, it's inherently "unknown" or "undiscovered" to the modern world. The options are "unexceptional," "clandestine," "unillustrious." None of these seem to fit the "incredible discovery" very well.

Let's re-read the sentence carefully for blank (ii). "found not only the healing herb but also the ruins of (ii) $\qquad$ city." The context of "incredible discovery" applies to finding any city in the rainforest, but especially one that was previously unknown.
- If it's "unexceptional," it's not incredible.
- If it's "unillustrious," it's not incredible.

Perhaps the blank is meant to convey that the city was previously unknown or hidden. "Clandestine" means secret. A lost city would be secret in the sense that its location was unknown. While it usually implies illicit activity, it can also mean "hidden." However, in the context of "incredible discovery," a city that was merely "secret" isn't as impactful as one that was grand or significant.

Let's look at the overall flow again. "incredible discovery" and "great prominence" later. This suggests the city itself was impressive. The choices for (ii) are problematic if we expect a positive descriptor like "ancient" or "magnificent."

Could there be a subtle meaning?
If the city was "clandestine," it implies it was hidden, which makes its discovery incredible. This is the best fit among the weak options. The other two are clearly negative.

Let's assume "clandestine" here means "hidden" or "secreted away," making its discovery remarkable.

So, Blank (ii) is E. clandestine.

- Blank (iii): "Consequent to their incredible discovery, both previously unknown men went on to enjoy great (iii) $\qquad$ ."
- "Consequent to their incredible discovery" means as a result of it. "Previously unknown men" implies they gained something significant after the discovery. The blank describes what they gained.
- G. rejection: The act of rejecting. This is the opposite of a positive outcome.
- H. prominence: The state of being important or famous. This fits perfectly with "previously unknown men" becoming known and respected due to their "incredible discovery."
- I. affluence: The state of having a great deal of money or wealth; richness. While they might have gained wealth, "prominence" (fame/importance) is a more direct and broader consequence of an "incredible discovery" for "previously unknown men."

So, Blank (iii) is H. prominence.
Putting It Together:
"The two explorers could scarcely believe their propitious fortune; they had gone deep into the rain forest in quest of medicinal plants and found not only the healing herb but also the ruins of clandestine city. Consequent to their incredible discovery, both previously unknown men went on to enjoy great prominence."

This combination makes the most sense given the options, with "clandestine" implying "hidden" or "secreted away" rather than illicit.