"Consternation'' means feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.
Step 1: Analyze options
- (A) Cheerfulness: the quality or state of being noticeably happy and optimistic.
- (B) Calmness: the state or quality of being free from agitation or strong emotion.
- (C) Loneliness: sadness because one has no friends or company.
- (D) Joyful: feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness.
Step 2: Find the best opposite
The opposite of anxiety and dismay is a state of peace and tranquility, i.e., "Calmness'' (option B).