The correct answer is A. pacify.
To pacify someone is to make them calm or less angry. In this case, the speaker is telling someone not to scold the boy over something that is not important. This is because scolding someone can make them angry, and the speaker does not want the boy to be angry.
The other options are not correct because they do not mean to make someone calm or less angry.
- To console someone is to comfort them when they are sad or upset.
- To praise someone is to express approval of them or their actions.
- To vituperate someone is to criticize them harshly.
