Explanation

The blank describes comments were startling, despite the author’s reputation as anti-social, so something that means anti-social or unfriendly would make sense. Both simpatico and winsome are nearly the opposite of what you’re looking for, so eliminate choices (A) and (E).

Choices (B) and (C) give synonymous meanings, but nothing in the sentence supports the idea that the author is hard to understand. Both splenetic and churlish can mean unfriendly, so choices (D) and (F) give you appropriate, equivalent sentences.
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Do you think A and E make more sense? as the words could be similar in meaning though not exactly,
why would otherwise interviewer be surprised?

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