Question

read the following passage from moby dick, by herman melville, then answer the questions.
but though, to landsmen in general, the native inhabitants of the seas have ever been regarded with emotions unspeakably unsocial and repelling; though we know the sea to be an everlasting terra incognita, so that columbus sailed over numberless unknown worlds to discover his one superficial western one; though, by vast odds, the most terrific of all mortal disasters have immemorially and indiscriminately befallen tens and hundreds of thousands of those who have gone upon the waters; though but a moments consideration will teach, that however baby man may brag of his science and skill, and however much, in a flattering future, that science and skill may augment; yet for ever and for ever, to the crack of doom, the sea will insult and murder him, and pulverize the stateliest, stiffest frigate he can make, nevertheless, by the continual repetition of these very impressions, man has lost that sense of the full awfulness of the sea which aboriginally belongs to it.

1. what does the passage suggest about the relationship between humans and the sea?

a. humans have completely mastered and controlled the power of the sea.
b. the sea remains an unpredictable force humans cannot control.
c. humans and the sea have a harmonious relationship built on balance.
d. the sea is an insignificant part of human history and development.

Explanation:

The passage emphasizes that despite human claims of science and skill, the sea will "insult and murder him, and pulverize the stateliest, stiffest frigate he can make." This shows the sea's power over humans. Option a is incorrect as humans haven't mastered the sea. Option c is wrong because there's no mention of a harmonious relationship. Option d is false as the sea is significant (e.g., Columbus's voyages). Option b aligns with the text's portrayal of the sea as an uncontrollable force.

Answer:

B. The sea remains an unpredictable force humans cannot control.