Question

this time there was no murmur in the air, no warning of approaching danger. even the watchful press, that knows so much before it ever happens, slumbered quiet and deep, till the hissing wires shrieked the terrifying word—galveston.
then we learned that, as at port royal, the sea had overleaped its bounds and its victims by thousands were in its grasp.
in all the land no one slept then. to us it was the clang of the fire-bell, and the drop of the harness. the red cross clans commenced to gather.
read the excerpt from a story of the red cross
why does the author most likely include this description?
○ to show the contrast between the peaceful silence and the devastation
○ to show that journalists know more about what happens than anyone
○ to show the quick response of firefighters and rescue workers
○ to show the power of nature in dangerous situations

Explanation:

The excerpt starts with a peaceful scene (no murmur, press slumbered) and then shifts to the sea overflowing and causing devastation. The description of the calm before the disaster is used to contrast with the subsequent destruction. The other options are incorrect: the press slumbering contradicts the idea that journalists know more (eliminating the second option), there's no mention of firefighters (eliminating the third), and the focus is on the contrast of calm and devastation rather than just nature's power (eliminating the fourth).

Answer:

A. to show the contrast between the peaceful silence and the devastation