Final answer:
Option C is the best hook for a compare-and-contrast essay as it sets up a direct comparison between two types of tomatoes, linking personal experience with broader topics of tomato quality and origin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best hook for a compare-and-contrast essay, given the choices, is C: "As I bit into the beautiful tomato, I grimaced and resisted the urge to spit it out. This tomato was nothing like the ones I grew up eating out of my grandma's garden."
This sentence directly sets up a comparison between two types of tomatoes, making it clear that there will be a discussion about how they differ from each other, which is the essence of a compare-and-contrast essay. This hook is particularly effective because it not only contrasts the two tomatoes but also evokes emotions and personal experience which can engage the reader.