Sentence:  When he was asked a question or addressed in such a way that some <WSD>response</WSD> was inescapable , he would answer ; if , as often happened , he had to repeat because he had spoken too softly , he would repeat his words in the same way , without emphasis or impatience , only a little louder . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation