1. close or careful observing or listening
attention-
close or careful observing or listening

2. uncomfortable or painful
awkward-
uncomfortable or painful

3. bragged-
boasted

4. quickly, energetically
briskly-
quickly, energetically

5. conversation-
a talk that two or more people have

6. to give support or confidence
encourage-
to give support or confidence

7. succeeded in doing something with difficulty
managed-
succeeded in doing something with difficulty

8. notice-
to become aware of

9. encountered
met

10. vaguely
not very clearly

11. the act of denying affection to someone
rejection
the act of denying affection to someone

12. brilliant !!!!!!
very intelligent

13. mishap
accident

14. a game played with rackets on a handball court
racquetball
a game played with rackets on a handball court

15. competitions made up of a series of games
tournaments
competitions made up of a series of games