Answer: A (Scolded)
Explanation:
It seems to be the only reasonable answer. Based on the structure of the sentence I would eliminate "praised". I would also eliminate "punched" because why?!
That leaves scolded and comforted as the two possible answers, with scolded being the better choice. This is support by the Oxford Online Dictionary, which defines scold as "speaking angrily to somebody, especially a child, because they have done something wrong".
