In the sentence 'She gave him a ______ glance', which word best fills the blank?

In the sentence 'She gave him a ______ glance', which word best fills the blank?

• A. Pugnacious
• B. Desultory
• C. Diffident
• D. Convivial

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is choosing an adjective that accurately describes the type of look someone gives. Desultory fits because it means unfocused or drifting, implying the glance wasn’t attentive or purposeful. In the sentence, a desultory glance suggests she was glancing around without real interest or direction, a casual, inconsequential look rather than a careful or charged one. Pugnacious would imply aggression or a combative attitude, which doesn’t naturally describe a glance. Diffident means shy or lacking confidence; while a diffident glance is possible, it sounds more like a person’s overall demeanor than the specific act of looking. Convivial means sociable and festive, which don’t align with the nuance of a glance either. Desultory is the smoothest, most natural fit for a quick, unfocused look.

The main idea here is choosing an adjective that accurately describes the type of look someone gives. Desultory fits because it means unfocused or drifting, implying the glance wasn’t attentive or purposeful. In the sentence, a desultory glance suggests she was glancing around without real interest or direction, a casual, inconsequential look rather than a careful or charged one.

Pugnacious would imply aggression or a combative attitude, which doesn’t naturally describe a glance. Diffident means shy or lacking confidence; while a diffident glance is possible, it sounds more like a person’s overall demeanor than the specific act of looking. Convivial means sociable and festive, which don’t align with the nuance of a glance either. Desultory is the smoothest, most natural fit for a quick, unfocused look.