1) Explanation

Let's break down the sentence blank by blank, looking for logical connections and the precise meaning required. The sentence describes Samuel Langhorne Clemens's (Mark Twain's) early career and connects it to a tradition among American authors.
- "Samuel Langhorne Clemens spent three years in the (i) $\qquad$ office of the little local paper;..."
- This part describes Clemens's early work environment at a newspaper. We need a word that describes a common type of office or department within a newspaper where someone might spend three years, especially in a foundational role.
- A. printing: A "printing office" or "print shop" is where newspapers are physically produced, and it's a very common place for aspiring writers or journalists to start, often by learning the mechanics of publishing. This fits well.
- B. dentists: A dentist's office is completely unrelated to a local paper.
- C. janitorial: A janitorial office relates to cleaning services, not the core operations of a newspaper.

So, Blank (i) is A. printing.
- "...similar to others on the list of American authors that stretches from Benjamin Franklin to William Dean Howells, he began his connection with literature by setting
(ii) $\qquad$ ."
- The phrase "similar to others" indicates a parallel. Benjamin Franklin was a printer, and "setting type" was a fundamental part of the printing process. This strongly links to the "printing office" in the first blank. "Setting type" refers to arranging movable type characters into words and lines for printing. This was a common entry point into the literary world for many historical figures.
- D. polish: To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing. This doesn't fit the context of starting a literary connection.
- E. type: As in "setting type," referring to the movable pieces with characters used in traditional printing. This perfectly fits the historical context of early newspaper and book production, and Benjamin Franklin's known profession.
- F. opinions: While authors express opinions, "setting opinions" is not a historical or literal phrase describing the start of a literary connection in the context of a printing office.

So, Blank (ii) is E. type.

Putting It Together:
"Samuel Langhorne Clemens spent three years in the printing office of the little local paper; similar to others on the list of American authors that stretches from Benjamin Franklin to William Dean Howells, he began his connection with literature by setting type."

This completed passage makes perfect historical and logical sense, describing a common path for early American authors who often started their careers in the physical production side of publishing.

The final answer is A, E.