Step 1: Understand the Sentence
The sentence concerns the committee's appeal and its impact on the public. The required word should describe the reaction to the appeal. "Provoked" is suitable because it signifies stimulating or inciting a reaction, particularly a strong or negative one.
Step 2: Analyze Options
- Evoked means to bring forth something, such as emotions or memories. While it could fit in certain scenarios, "provoked" is a more precise descriptor for an appeal eliciting a specific response.
- Provided means to supply or give something, which is irrelevant to the context of a reaction.
- Provoked best describes the act of causing or inciting a strong reaction, in this case, a "little response."
- Prevented means to stop an event, which is not applicable here.
Step 3: Conclusion "Provoked" is the appropriate word as it denotes causing a response or reaction.Therefore, the correct answer is 3. provoke(D).
Final Answer: \[\boxed{\text{The correct answer is 3. provoke(D)}}\]