Some questions concerning a quick placement test.

Hi, I have done a quick placement test with some of my "students".

There occured some problems. It would be nice if you could help me to solve them. Often there is a choice between words with different semantic context. I do not really know when to use which word. This might be interesting for others as well.
Words that definetely do not fit in the scheme are omitted.
I am very interested in the semantic point of view. Why something can fit in and why others cannot.

I´ll write some of them down and provide you with the possible answers. Furthermore, my proposed answer is added to it.

1. The children won´t go to bed ______ we leave a light on outside their bedroom. ( except / unless )
I have chosen unless here. It´s funny, because both mean "ausser" in German, but there must be some semantic difference. I do not really know it.

2. Fortunately, __________ from a bump on the head, she suffered no serious injuries from her fall. ( except / apart )
Well, I have chosen except here. I do not know why

3. She came to live her ________ a month ago. ( quite / almost / already )
It´s quite, isn´t it?

4. It was clear that the young couple were ___________ of taking charge of the restaurant. ( responsible / capable / able / reliable )
The problem that occurs here is that I believed the young couple are those who have to pay the bill in a restaurant. Therefore responsible. But now I think that " .. taking charge of the restaurant" means something completely different.

5. Mary was dissapointed with her new shirt as the colour ________ very quickly. ( vanished / faded )
I believe faded to be the right answer here, because I think that "vanished" means that the colour has gone entirely.

6. Jane remained calm when she won the lottery and _______ about her business as if nothing had happened. ( came / brought / went / moved )
Only brought somehow sounds good to me. It´s an idiomatic expression, isn´t it?

7. ....... for the ______ person until the 19th century, ....... ( average / common )
I think it´s average. But could be common as well. Hmmmm.

8. Whether you choose the Medieval Walk, which will _____________ you to the Dublin of 1000 years ago ....... ( introduce / move / present / show )
It can only be introduced in my opinion. But I am wondering whether the verb introduce can be used by an inanimate subject.

9. We are not used to ________ invited to very formal occasions. ( be / being )
We had this one in university. I have to admit that I do not remember what was said about this structure. It was somehow important.

10. She obviously didn´t want to discuss the matter so I didn´t ____ the point. ( pursue / maintain / follow )
I think it is pursue, but somehow all of them make sense to me. Well, I think maintain does definetely not fit in here.

11. ......, it is vital to _____ open to new ideas. ( stand / remain )
Should be remain, but I think it´s again some kind of idiomatic expression, who knows then....

Thx for all who will help me answering these questions......