A hue and cry means a loud public protest or strong complaint. The correct answer is this meaning because the expression is used figuratively, not only by its literal words.

Examples:

• There was a hue and cry over the unfair decision.
• In an HSC essay, A hue and cry can express this meaning: a loud public protest or strong complaint.
• When this expression appears in a passage, connect A hue and cry with the idea of a loud public protest or strong complaint.