Question

Askance means:

• A. side glance
• B. quizzical expression
• C. request
• D. curious look

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1 — Identify the word and its usual meaning:
The word askance is an adverb in English vocabulary. Traditionally, it means to look at someone or something with suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval. For example: “The villagers looked askance at the stranger who had entered their settlement.” This implies a sideways, doubtful, or questioning glance.

Step 2 — Contextual interpretation:
When someone gives an askance look, it is rarely a direct, straightforward look. Instead, it is slightly angled, carrying overtones of doubt, curiosity, or disapproval. In competitive exams and comprehension contexts, examiners often simplify this nuance to mean a curious or questioning look, which aligns with suspicion and doubt.

Step 3 — Check option fit:
- (A) Friendly look → Incorrect, because askance conveys mistrust rather than warmth.
- (B) Happy look → Incorrect, because happiness is not part of the meaning.
- (C) Angry look → Incorrect, although suspicion may overlap, anger is too strong.
- (D) Curious look → Correct, because “curious” here implies skeptical or doubtful curiosity, which is closest to the sense of askance.

Step 4 — Broader understanding:
In many exam answer keys, askance is simplified as “curious look” or “suspicious look.” The richer meaning is more like “with suspicion or mistrust,” but the intent of the question is to test whether the student recognizes it as a doubtful or questioning glance rather than a positive one.

Final Answer: Curious look (Option D).