With no explanation, chose the best option from "A", "B", "C" or "D". to have been an isolated incident unrelated to Varon’s 1996 political activities. Even assuming a nexus between Varon’s political opinion and the incidents of mistreatment alleged, however, we do not find that the record compels a conclusion that these events, whether viewed separately or cumulatively, were severe and pervasive enough to constitute persecution. Although the INA does not expressly define “persecution” for purposes of qualifying as a “refugee,” we have repeatedly stated that “persecution is an extreme concept, requiring more than a few isolated incidents of verbal harassment or intimidation, and that mere harassment does not amount to persecution.” Sepulveda, 401 F.3d at 1231 (quotations and citation omitted); see also Nelson v. INS, 232 F.3d 258, 263 (1st Cir.2000) (<HOLDING>). In determining whether an alien has

A: holding that harm must be sufficiently severe rising above mere harassment to constitute persecution
B: holding that to constitute persecution the harm must rise above mere harassment
C: holding that persecution must rise above unpleasantness harassment and even basic suffering
D: holding that the harm must rise above mere harassment
C.