The correct answer is D. Had many professional difficulties.
The phrase “struck several bad patches” means to experience a series of setbacks or difficulties. In this case, the speaker is saying that the person they are talking about experienced a number of professional difficulties before they finally achieved success.
Option A, “came across bad soil,” is incorrect because it does not make sense in the context of the sentence. The speaker is not talking about the person’s physical surroundings, but rather their professional life.
Option B, “had a bad time,” is also incorrect because it is too vague. The speaker is not just saying that the person had a bad time, but that they experienced a series of setbacks or difficulties.
Option C, “went through many illnesses,” is incorrect because it is not relevant to the topic of the sentence. The speaker is not talking about the person’s health, but rather their professional life.