In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

“Can I come along with you on your fishing trip, please?” asked Millie. Her two elder brothers (1)________ at her scornfully. “Fishing is a man's (2) ________,” said her older brother, Derek. “Girls are not (3) ________ at fishing.” (4) ________ a while, however, Millie managed to persuade her brothers to take her (5) ________. When they reached the fishing pond, the two brothers wandered off by themselves.

Select the correct option to fill blank 1.

The correct option to fill in blank 1 is looked.

Explanation:
In the sentence, "Her two elder brothers (1)________ at her scornfully", the blank is followed by the preposition "at".

• looked: The verb "look" pairs with the preposition "at" (look at) to mean directing one's gaze toward someone or something. Therefore, "looked at" is grammatically correct and fits the context.
• observed: Requires a direct object without the preposition "at" (e.g., "observed her").
• saw: Requires a direct object without the preposition "at" (e.g., "saw her").
• watched: Requires a direct object without the preposition "at" (e.g., "watched her").

Hence, looked is the most appropriate choice.