Which word means "treating serious issues with inappropriate humor; flippant behavior"?

• A. Advocate
• B. Facetious
• C. Ironic
• D. Contrite

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is choosing a word that shows laughing about serious matters in a way that isn’t appropriate. When something is facetious, it describes someone making light of topics that deserve gravity, often with a jokey or flippant remark. That exact sense—using humor about something serious to downplay its importance—fits the prompt's definition best.

Advocate means to support or argue in favor of something, which is about stance rather than tone or humor. Ironic refers to a situation or expression where what happens is the opposite of what is expected, often with wit, but it isn’t specifically about treating serious issues with joking or flippant behavior. Contrite describes feeling remorse or guilt, which is the opposite of flippant humor.