Shouldn't the second blank be contemplation? Why is it despair???

I got this correct.

Faced with something short of choices , Clarrisa fell silent for something.

Minuscule means tiny not relevant.
Quota means some fixed number
Bevy means similars things in large quantinty. I felt that Bevy suits here since quota doesn't make sense.

Contemplate means something we should consider before we act..not suitable
Reverie means daydream.
Despair means kind of some pain..suits better.

why not Reverie ? 'daydream' ?

doesn't contemplate mean think deeply and at length or look thoughtfully for a long time. I feel its better suited here. Despair is just too gloomy in context. why would she be gloomy if there's so much option(bevy) to choose from.