OE


For the first blank, you want a word that means to defend. Surprisingly, that’s precisely what “apologist” means (the word apology once meant a speech offered to defend or justify). “Critic” and “gadfly” (a particularly annoying critic) are both opposite to the desired meaning. For the second blank, something similar to “reactionary,” but even stronger and more negative, is needed. Since “reactionary” means opposed to change, you want a word that means very opposed to change. “Retrograde” will do, since it suggests a retreat to some earlier state. “Surreptitious” (secretive) has the wrong meaning and “illegal” goes too far. The third blank describes an approach that recasts history or challenges a conventional history. That sort of recasting is called “revisionist.” “Restorative” can’t be correct because the denial isn’t restoring anything. “Unconscionable” (unreasonable or immoral) goes too far; denying that policies reflected the party’s values could just indicate wishful thinking or a lack of perceptiveness.