The headmaster was furious when she found out that they were just __________ during the meeting.A.holding onB.hanging aroundC.fooling aroundD.getting along

To fill in the blank in the sentence, we need to consider the context in which "the headmaster was furious." The phrase suggests that the behavior during the meeting was unproductive or inappropriate, leading to the headmaster's frustration.

Options Breakdown:

1. A. holding on - This implies grasping something but doesn’t fit the context of inappropriate behavior.
2. B. hanging around - This generally means loitering without purpose, which could imply idleness but may not specifically indicate causing frustration.
3. C. fooling around - This means to behave in a silly or unserious way, which very much fits the idea of improper conduct in a formal setting.
4. D. getting along - This implies a friendly interaction, which is not something that would typically make a headmaster furious.

Conclusion:

Based on the analysis, the best choice to complete the sentence is C. fooling around, as it directly aligns with the idea of misconduct that could provoke a strong reaction from someone in authority.

Thus, the sentence reads: "The headmaster was furious when she found out that they were just fooling around during the meeting."