Question

read the excerpt from \a wagner matinee\ by willa cather
from the time we entered the concert hall, however, she was a trifle less passive and inert, and seemed to begin to perceive her surroundings. i had felt some trepidation lest she might become aware of the absurdities of her attire, or might experience some painful embarrassment at stepping suddenly into the world to which she had been dead for a quarter of a century. but again i found how superficially i had judged her
what is the most likely the meaning of trepidation?
○ apprehension
○ confidence
○ discomfort
○ embarrassment

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "trepidation", we analyze the context. The narrator is worried she might become aware of the absurdity of her attire or experience painful embarrassment. "Trepidation" here relates to a feeling of fear or anxiety about a possible negative outcome, which matches "apprehension" (a feeling of anxiety or fear about the future). "Confidence" is the opposite. "Discomfort" is more about physical or mild mental unease, and "embarrassment" is the result of the feared situation, not the feeling before it.

Answer:

A. apprehension