In the following sentence about public reaction, choose the alternative that best improves the underlined word; if no improvement is needed, select "No improvement". His argument against his opponent duly brought jeers from the crowd.

Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question deals with choosing a more accurate word to describe hostile speech that provokes jeers from an audience. The sentence suggests that the speaker said something strongly negative about an opponent, and the crowd responded with jeers. We must therefore select the word that best reflects abusive or insulting language rather than neutral argument, praise, or general dispute.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence is "His argument against his opponent duly brought jeers from the crowd."
• The underlined word in the original exam would be "argument".
• The options are "invective", "praise", "controversy", and "No improvement".
• The context implies negative, possibly abusive speech that caused the crowd to react strongly.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is that ordinary logical "argument" does not usually bring jeers unless it is delivered in an insulting way. The word "invective" means harsh, abusive, or insulting language that attacks someone. Since the crowd jeered, it is reasonable to infer that he used strong abusive words rather than calm reasoning. Therefore, "invective" is a more precise and expressive choice than "argument".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the tone. The crowd jeered, which suggests that his words were aggressive or offensive.Step 2: Consider the meaning of "invective". It refers to forceful, abusive speech or denunciation directed at a person or cause.Step 3: Replace "argument" with "invective" to get "His invective against his opponent duly brought jeers from the crowd". This sentence now clearly indicates that his harsh words caused the noisy, negative reaction.Step 4: Examine "praise". This would mean he spoke positively about his opponent, which would not reasonably result in jeers from the crowd.Step 5: Examine "controversy". A controversy is a prolonged public dispute, not a single speech or set of words used at a moment.Step 6: Examine "No improvement". Since "invective" expresses the idea more accurately and vividly, we should not keep the vague word "argument".

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider real usage: "The candidate's invective against his rival shocked the audience" or "He launched into a torrent of invective". In such sentences, "invective" clearly conveys abusive criticism aimed personally at someone. When such language is used in front of a crowd, jeers are a natural reaction. By contrast, "argument" usually refers to reasoned debate, which may or may not provoke jeers, and "praise" would more likely produce applause, not hostility.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, "praise", contradicts the tone of the sentence, because positive speech about an opponent is unlikely to cause jeers.
Option C, "controversy", names a long term public dispute or debate, not a specific speech delivered against an opponent in a single moment.
Option D, "No improvement", is incorrect because the word "argument" is too weak and neutral for the reaction described, whereas "invective" accurately captures harsh, jeer provoking language.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students stick with "No improvement" when a sentence is grammatically correct, forgetting that sentence improvement questions also test vocabulary precision and appropriateness. Others may be unfamiliar with the word "invective" and therefore avoid it, even though it is exactly the kind of higher level word that exam setters want you to know. Building a strong vocabulary through reading editorials and literature can greatly help with such questions.

Final Answer:
The best improvement is "invective", so option A is correct.