OE

The words in the blank will convey the actions of the commissioner’s staff. The latter part of the sentence says that “the politician would be unable to avoid addressing the fraud allegations” at the town hall. Thus, the detour road sign “even though” indicates that his staff had been able to prevent the reporter from asking her questions. Thus, his staff must have been preventing the scheduled interviews. (D) obstructed means “blocking something,” and that fits the prediction. While you may be more familiar with the meaning “burdened” for (B) encumbered, it also has the meaning “hindered, blocked,” and that is a match. (A) arranged, (E) authorized, and (F) sanctioned would all be close in meaning to “approving” the scheduled interviews, so they are the opposite of what's needed in this sentence. Interestingly, sanctioned can also mean “imposed a penalty on,” and (C) censuring means “officially criticizing,” so these two words are a match for each other. However, if the staff were penalizing or criticizing the interviews, it would mean that the interviews had taken place, but in fact the reporter is hoping to ask her questions at the town hall.