Final answer:
The sentence should be completed with "make," thus reading as "Ellie is quite a shy person and finds it hard to make friends." The examples provided suggest the challenges shy individuals face in social spheres.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how to complete the sentence: "Ellie is quite a shy person and finds it hard to___ friends." The correct word to fill in the blank is "make." So, the complete sentence should read, "Ellie is quite a shy person and finds it hard to make friends." Making friends can be difficult for shy individuals, as it often involves stepping out of one's comfort zone and initiating conversations.
In the provided examples, social interactions and character behavior are highlighted, capturing different aspects of social dynamics and personal traits. For instance, the apprehension of walking unveiled, the perception of Daisy Miller's social standing, and the nervousness experienced by characters in various interactions all relate to the social challenges that Ellie might face in the pursuit of making friends.
Using these examples, we can understand the complexities faced by shy individuals in social settings and how these can impede the development of new friendships, a concept that is central to this English Exercise.