The answer is choice A
the hint suggested that it would've been a negative connotation :)
The persuasive technique that is being used here is name-calling.
This means that this cereal company is using, usually fake news and no evidence to say bad things about the rival company, disregarding whether it is actually true or not. People will see this cereal ad and believe it, regardless of whether there are any evidence to prove the claims.
He could not find a hint; He could not find a sign; He could not find a trail; He could not find a clue.
My answer would be C. Only the words you know the meaning to.
