What is the best word to complete the sentence: Despite her __________ of public speaking experience, the student council member was surprisingly cogent, and expressed the concerns of her classmates persuasively.

The most fitting word to complete the sentence is "lack," as it effectively conveys that the student council member had insufficient experience in public speaking. The structure of the sentence suggests a contrast—while the member had minimal experience, she still managed to communicate her thoughts clearly and persuasively. This juxtaposition highlights her surprising capability, making "lack" a word that appropriately reflects the initial expectation set before revealing her effectiveness in the role.

In contrast, "hope," "depth," and "method" do not align with the context. "Hope" does not convey a relevant idea of experience, while "depth" suggests having extensive knowledge or experience, which contradicts the intended meaning. "Method" refers to a way of doing something, rather than experience in public speaking, making it unrelated to the context of the sentence. Thus, "lack" is the optimal choice that maintains coherence and clarity in the passage.