English

The phrase 'tipped off' means to be given advance information or a warning, which fits option C. The other options do not match the meaning of 'tipped off'.

The correct plural form of "thief" is "thieves," where the 'f' changes to 'v' and 'es' is added. This follows the standard rule for nouns ending in 'f' or 'fe'.

The word 'taciturn' means reserved or uncommunicative in speech. Its antonym is 'garrulous,' which means excessively talkative. Therefore, option B is correct.

The sentence is in the past tense ('did not know'), so the correct form to use in the blank is the past perfect 'had come' to indicate an action completed before the past moment of not knowing.

The phrase "put a spoke in my wheel" is an idiom meaning to obstruct or hinder someone's plans or progress, which aligns with option C: "thwarted in the execution of the plan."

The word "Perpetual" means never-ending or everlasting. Among the options, "Everlasting" is the correct synonym, while the others have different meanings.

The word "dormant" means inactive or in a state of rest, which is synonymous with "hibernating." The other options imply activity or liveliness, which are antonyms of dormant.

The word 'singular' means unique or one of a kind. Its antonym is 'common,' which means usual or occurring frequently. The other options do not represent antonyms of 'singular.'

"A litmus test" is an expression meaning a decisive or conclusive test that clearly indicates the presence or absence of a quality or condition, which matches option A.

The word "either" is used to indicate a choice between two alternatives, which fits the context of choosing between a government or private university. The other options do not correctly express this choice.