<em>A term that has a non notation that would best contribute to a desperate tone would be;</em>
D. Clinging
<em>Embracing - To hold someone closely, usually associated with a sign of affection</em>
<em>Holding - To embrace, or hold with ones hand</em>
<em>Getting - To get a hold of, or to receive </em>
<u>Clinging, is to remain persistently and or stubbornly faithful to. Desperately clinging to someone. </u>
Incomplete question. However, I assumed you are referring to the article <em>"An Inspector Calls and J B Priestley’s political journey" </em>by Alison Cullingford.
<u>Explanation:</u>
In that article the five words that Cullingford uses to describe the ‘golden age' were:
- freedom,
- plenty,
- hospitality,
- conviviality,
- generosity.
He uses such words in other to highlight the contrasts between past experiences and the present one in which Bradford found himself.
This words simply means not easily convinced. Or even having doubts.