A “retort” can be “ironic”, but only after it is uttered or said. Here, a more appropriate word would be “caustic” or ‘sarcastic’.
“Cogent” is ‘convincing’ or ‘well-argued’ and has a better ring to it than just “valid”. It is a more appropriate word than “valid” in this context.
The third word is “averse” meaning ‘unwilling or unenthusiastic’. “Adverse” means ‘unfavourable’ and it is usually used with words like weather (adverse weather, conditions etc.).
“Coup é” is the ‘end compartment in a railroad car’. Contextually, ‘a “coup é” gets detached while a train is climbing up the hill’ fits in.
“Coup” is a ‘clever action or accomplishment’ and is irrelevant in this context.
A peal is ‘a ringing of a set of bells. (Alternate usage: ‘she broke into peals of laughter’). Thus, the word required is ‘pealing’ as it deals with bells.
“peel” means to ‘to strip or cut away the skin or bark from’,eg. Peeling away the skin made it easier to cut the fruit.
Therefore, the correct sequence is BBBAB.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.