Billy tried to defeat John, but John was just too good.  It seemed that billy could never achieve what? - winning - conquer - won - control - victory  The best answer is
victory

The man was sick of secular consumerism, what life did he seek instead? - eternal - married life - religious - monastic - unpredictable  The best answer is
monastic

What might someone do who is having fun? - being happy - glee - smoke - stress relief - may laugh  The best answer is
may laugh