Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 42.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 31 to 35. It appears that WHO played a critically important, though imperfect, role in responding to the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. Under the IHR, member countries are required to report potential PHEICs occurring in their territories within 24 hours following initial detection. Historically, however, countries have been reluctant to comply with the IHR’s reporting requirement, partly because it might expose them to unwanted economic sanctions. Chinese authorities faced this dilemma as they mulled over the question of spotlighting the potentially grave public health situation in Wuhan. Against this backdrop, WHO’s detection of the local health commission’s notice on December 31, 2019, along with its immediate request to gain further information, augmented the strategic situation facing Chinese authorities to encourage disclosure. Since late January 2020, WHO’s response to the COVID-19 crisis has suffered a number of institutional missteps. The agency came under fire for issuing contradictory statements on precautionary health topics, such as “human- to-human transmissibility” and “asymptomatic spread.” It has also been criticized for being slow to adapt its official position on face masks in light of emerging scientific evidence. WHO also arguably erred in choosing to delay formal declaration of a global public health emergency by at least one week. For all of its institutional successes and shortfalls, WHO nonetheless continues to contribute powerfully and positively to the pandemic response effort. To date, the organization has raised over $200 million through its Solidarity Response Fund to combat the COVID-19 crisis, and has otherwise shipped millions of items of personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare personnel in over 100 countries. WHO has also exercised its norm-creating power to provide member countries with comprehensive guidance documentation on the pandemic. It has additionally played a significant role in coordinating the global search for vaccines and other medical treatments. (Adapted from https://www.gcseglobal.org/)

The phrase “came under fire” in paragraph 3 most probably means _______. A. was completely destroyed B. was severely criticized C. was significantly punished D. was highly appreciated