单选题 When the rent was due. the poor man ______ for more time.
A. pleaded B. squashed C. exerted D. cursed

【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] (plead恳求)。句意为：由于租期已到，老人恳求放宽期限。B．squash把……压扁；C．exert尽力；D．curse诅咒。