Lets start with the blank(ii), since Lovia stayed only for an year, sojourning is the best fit. Coming back to the first blank, it’s a shock for her friends to see her travel to Thailand. So, option B.

Lets start with the blank(ii), since Lovia stayed only for an year, sojourning is the best fit. Coming back to the first blank, it’s a shock for her friends to see her travel to Thailand. So, option B.

because she had never expressed an interest in travel ensures astonishment as the choice for the first blank.

The word retiring does not sound appropriate for someone staying there for just an year of teaching. And there is no evidence for persevering. And sojourning goes well with travel and a short stay for a year, and hence is the right choice for the second blank.

The correct words for the blanks are (i) astonishment and (ii) sojourning.

Breakdown of the Blanks
- Blank (i): B. astonishment

The sentence states that Lovia "had never expressed an interest in travel," yet she decided to go to Thailand. The word "because" in the first part of the sentence is key, indicating her friends' reaction was due to her unexpected decision. Astonishment (great surprise) fits this context perfectly, as it describes the reaction to her surprising choice.
- Blank (ii): D. sojourning

The second blank describes her action in Thailand. Sojourning means to stay somewhere temporarily. This fits the context of her teaching English there for a year, which is a temporary stay.