Answer: C
Methanol donates hydrogen bonds to NX3X−, lowering the reactant energy and raising the activation barrier. DMF has no O-H or N-H hydrogen to donate; it solvates the cation but leaves the anion almost unsolvated, so the nucleophile is more reactive. The dielectric constants of the two solvents are similar (about 37 and 33), so (a) is not the cause.