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, watchful press slumbered) and then shifts to the sea overflowing with thousands of victims. The description of the calm before the disaster is used to contrast with the subsequent devastation. The second option is incorrect as the passage says the press "slumbered" and doesn't emphasize them knowing more. The third option is wrong as there's no mention of firefighters or rescue workers' quick response. The fourth option is not the main focus here as the description is more about the contrast between calm and disaster rather than just nature's power.

Answer:

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