Which symptom is associated with a minor epileptic fit?

Staring blankly is a key symptom associated with a minor epileptic fit, often referred to as a focal seizure or absence seizure. During this type of seizure, the individual may appear to be momentarily disconnected from their surroundings, characterized by a brief period where they are unresponsive and may not react to external stimuli. This symptom arises from a temporary disruption of normal brain activity which allows a short period of altered awareness.

In contrast, loss of consciousness, severe muscle contractions, and extensive body shaking are typically linked with more severe types of seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures. These require different management and understanding, but do not pertain to the minor or absence seizures that predominantly feature the symptom of staring blankly. Thus, the definition and characteristics of minor epileptic fits highlight staring blankly as the correct answer.