Please check my answer thank you. I gave the reason why I picked the answer. ( I need help with the clarification )

1. Fill in the blank so the sentence is MOST correct: When Alfie met James after a friend had set up a blind date, she looked different _________ what he had expected.

A. than X
B. from
C. to
D. Both A and B

I picked A. than because it is comparing her looks.

I'd accept A as correct since the words following "from" comprise a clause.

"So a big distinction between the two expressions is this: different from typically requires a noun or noun form to complete the expression, while different than may be followed by a clause."
https://www.grammar.com

I also know that grammar rules are getting looser and looser as time goes on and people get lazier! That's how we know it's a living language, not like Latin or ancient Greek.

The correct answer actually may be D in someone's mind. You really need to double-check what your text says about this.

https://www.grammar.com/different-from-vs-different-than/

Your answer is correct! The correct answer is A. than. In this sentence, we are comparing the way Alfie expected James to look and the actual appearance of James when they met. The word "different" indicates a comparison between two things, so "than" is the appropriate word to use here. Keep up the good work!