動揺

社長の突然の辞任は、社員に ___ を与えた。

The correct answer is **動揺 (どうよう)**, meaning agitation, disturbance, or unsettlement. A president's sudden resignation is an unexpected and significant event that would naturally cause uncertainty, anxiety, and a sense of unease among employees. Thus, "社員に動揺を与えた" (caused agitation among employees) fits well. **安堵 (あんど)** means relief; while relief might be felt in specific circumstances, a sudden, unelaborated resignation typically brings uncertainty rather than relief. **平静 (へいせい)** means calm or serenity, the opposite of what a sudden major event would cause. **歓喜 (かんき)** means great joy; it is unlikely for such an event to cause widespread great joy without specific negative context about the president.

正解は「動揺」です。社長の突然の辞任は予期せぬ出来事であり、社員の間に不安や混乱といった「動揺」を引き起こすのが一般的です。「安堵」は安心、「平静」は落ち着き、「歓喜」は大喜びを意味し、いずれも突然の予期せぬ事態にはそぐわない、または逆の感情です。予期せぬ出来事の一般的な影響を考えましょう。