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 first describes a peaceful, silent scene (no murmur, press slumbered) and then the sea overleaping bounds with thousands of victims. The description of the calm before the disaster (peaceful silence) contrasts with the subsequent devastation. The other options: the second option misinterprets the press detail (it's about the calm before, not journalists' knowledge); the third option is incorrect as the excerpt focuses on the disaster and Red Cross gathering, not firefighter response; the fourth option is less accurate as the main contrast is between silence and devastation, not just nature's power.

Answer:

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