Which choice best fills in the blank: I had to go to an expert and ask her to advise me?

The choice that best fills in the blank conveys a sense of necessity rather than willingness. Selecting the first option indicates that there was a strong compulsion or obligation to seek help from an expert, which is consistent with the phrasing “I had to.” This suggests that the action was not merely a suggestion or personal desire, but rather a requirement, which aligns perfectly with the context of needing expert advice.

In contrast, other choices introduce an element of encouragement, reluctance, or eagerness, which alters the tone and meaning. For instance, being encouraged implies a supportive suggestion rather than a necessity, while reluctance suggests hesitation, and eagerness indicates a positive motivation to converse rather than a need for assistance. This makes those options less suitable for the original statement that emphasizes the urgency or obligation to seek expertise.