Which word best completes the sentence: She would not listen to his ________?

• A. Entreaty
• B. Plea
• C. Command
• D. Idea

Answer: (A)

Understanding how a word fits with “listen to” helps you pick the right option. Here, the sentence hinges on a request or appeal being presented to her, not a command or a thought to be heard.

An entreaty is a formal, earnest appeal or petition. Saying she would not listen to his entreaty means she is resisting his sincere request being made to persuade her. The nuance is of a heartfelt plea aimed at getting her to hear him, rather than simply following an instruction or considering a notion.

A plea would also be a request, but entreaty conveys a stronger, more formal sense of urging. A command is a directive you might react to, but you wouldn’t typically phrase it as “listen to his command.” An idea isn’t something you listen to in the same way; you might think about an idea or discuss it, but not listen to it as a persuasive appeal.

So the best fit is a formal, earnest appeal that she wouldn’t listen to.