GRE Sample Test 1 Verbal Reasoning 1

The clue is “was such a bad-mannered child.” Time acts as a change-of-direction transition (“as an adult”) that indicates the blank should mean something like well-mannered. Only propriety and decorum mean well-mannered. Diffidence, reticence, and brashness are all traits that would be considered bad-mannered. Friendliness does not necessarily mean well-mannered.