Question

read this excerpt from chapter 1 of the scarlet letter using comprehension strategies
in accordance with this rule, it may safely be assumed that the forefathers of boston had built the first prison - house, somewhere in the vicinity of cornhill, almost as seasonably as they marked out the first burial - ground, on isaac johnsons lot, and round about his grave, which subsequently became the nucleus of all the congregated sepulchres in the old church - yard of kings chapel.
what is the meaning of this excerpt?
the prison and cemetery were built early, with the cemetery expanding in size from its original plot
the prison was built near cornhill, and the cemetery was built on an important mans property
just as puritans gathered at the prison, they also gathered at the cemetery and the church
the forefathers of boston chose the two most famous landmarks the prison and the cemetery

Explanation:

The text states that Boston's forefathers built the first prison - house near Cornhill and marked out the first burial - ground around Isaac Johnson's grave. The burial - ground later became the nucleus (starting point) of all the sepulchres in the old church - yard. This implies that both the prison and cemetery were built early, and the cemetery expanded from its original plot (Isaac Johnson's grave).

Answer:

The prison and cemetery were built early, with the cemetery expanding in size from its original plot.