Answer:
D). A friend avoiding a controversial topic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Face-saving principle of language is associated with the attempt to lessening or avoiding the embarrassment or humiliation that an individual may face. Such a principle presents the person in a respectful manner in the embarrassing situations.
As per the question, option D exemplifies this 'face-saving' principle of language as the friend attempts to look presentable in the situation where he has a threat of being humiliated or embarrassed by avoiding the controversial topic. Thus, this reflects that this friend is trying to 'save his face'(applies 'face-saving principle') and hence, option D is the correct answer.