In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the single word which is the best substitute for the given phrase: "To harass someone persistently to do something."

Introduction / Context:
One-word substitution questions test your ability to condense a longer definition or phrase into a single precise English word. This is a valuable skill for concise writing and for understanding advanced vocabulary in newspapers, essays and literature. Here, the phrase given is "To harass someone persistently to do something." We must choose the option that accurately captures this meaning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrase: "To harass someone persistently to do something."
• Options: Iconoclast, Dote, Neurotic, Importune.
• We need a verb that fits the definition, not a noun describing a type of person, unless the exam uses verbal sense as well.
• The key ideas are "harass", "persistently", and "to do something".

Concept / Approach:
The verb "importune" means to ask someone pressingly and persistently for or to do something, often to the point of annoyance or harassment. The other options do not carry this meaning at all: "iconoclast" is a person who attacks traditional beliefs, "dote" refers to being excessively fond of someone, and "neurotic" relates to a kind of anxious psychological state. The method is to match the exact nuance of repeated, bothersome requests to the right word.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the essential elements of the phrase: repeated pressure, harassment, and trying to make someone do something. Step 2: Consider "Iconoclast". An iconoclast is a person who breaks or attacks cherished beliefs or institutions. There is no idea of persistently asking someone to do something. Step 3: Consider "Dote". To dote on someone means to be extremely and often foolishly fond of them, not to harass them. Step 4: Consider "Neurotic". This adjective or noun refers to a person suffering from a neurosis, which is a mild mental disorder involving anxiety. It does not describe the act of pressuring someone else. Step 5: Consider "Importune". To importune means to demand or beg with urgency or persistence, often in a nagging way that annoys the other person. Step 6: Match "importune" with the phrase "to harass someone persistently to do something" and see that it fits exactly in meaning. Step 7: Conclude that "Importune" is the correct one-word substitute.

Verification / Alternative check:
Checking a reliable dictionary, "importune" is defined as "to ask (someone) pressingly and persistently for or to do something". Many example sentences show a sense of nuisance or harassment, such as "Reporters importuned him with questions." This perfectly mirrors the phrase in the question, confirming that "importune" is the intended answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Iconoclast: A noun describing a person who attacks established beliefs, which is conceptually unrelated to persistently urging someone to act.
• Dote: A verb indicating loving someone to excess, without any sense of pressure or harassment.
• Neurotic: An adjective or noun relating to a mental condition characterised by anxiety. It does not describe the act of bothering others with persistent requests.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students might be attracted to unfamiliar or impressive-looking words like "iconoclast" or "neurotic" simply because they sound advanced. However, advanced vocabulary must still match the meaning exactly. The safest strategy in one-word substitution questions is to carefully break the phrase into key ideas and check which word fits all of them, not just one. Here, only "importune" covers "harass", "persistently", and "to do something".

Final Answer:
The best one-word substitute for the phrase is Importune.