OE


D The blank refers to what Louis’s friends had to cajole him not to do. The clue is painfully shy and smallest social gathering. The transition words so… even indicate that Louis’s shyness was so extreme that it would impact the smallest social gathering. Thus, an extremely shy reaction to the smallest social gathering is to “avoid” it, so use that as a word for the blank. Choices (A), (B), (C), and (E)— confront, subdue, flout, attend— can be eliminated because they don’t match “avoid.” The correct answer is (D), shun.