The sentence contrasts the common saying "beauty is only skin-deep" with the reality of growing cosmetic surgery trends. The structure implies that despite the aphorism (which de-emphasizes physical beauty), Americans actually do care about a certain type of beauty, as shown by the rise of cosmetic surgery.

Blank (i):
We need a word that describes the "growing" trend of cosmetic surgery among mainstream consumers. The word should fit with something that can "belie" (contradict) Americans' supposed lack of concern for a certain type of beauty.

Options:
- (A) distress - Doesn't fit; cosmetic surgery isn't typically described as "growing distress."
- (B) eminence - Means prominence or fame. "Growing eminence" could work, suggesting that cosmetic surgery is becoming more prominent.
- (C) controversy - While cosmetic surgery is sometimes controversial, the sentence focuses on its prevalence, not debate.

Best choice: (B) eminence (growing prominence of cosmetic surgery)

Blank (ii):
The aphorism "beauty is only skin-deep" suggests that inner beauty matters more than superficial beauty. However, cosmetic surgery focuses on altering external appearance, so the second blank should contrast with "skin-deep" beauty.

Options:
- (D) inner - Opposite of what we need; cosmetic surgery doesn't enhance inner beauty.
- (E) surface - Fits perfectly, as cosmetic surgery alters surface-level (physical) beauty, which contradicts the idea that people don't care about it.
- (F) fading - Doesn't make sense in context.

Best choice: (E) surface (cosmetic surgery contradicts the idea that people don't care about superficial beauty)

Final Answer:
Blank (i): B (eminence)
Blank (ii): E (surface)