Read the excerpt adapted from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
The quay was soon covered with the usual crowd of curious onlookers, for the arrival of a ship is always a great event in the town of Marseilles, especially when, like the Pharaon, it has been built, rigged and laden in the city and belongs to a local shipowner.
Meanwhile the vessel was approaching the harbor, but so slowly and with such an air of melancholy that the onlookers, instinctively sensing misfortune, began to wonder what accident could have happened on board. However, the experienced seamen among them saw that if there had been an accident, it could not have happened to the ship herself, for she had every appearance of being under perfect control. Standing beside the pilot, who was preparing to steer the Pharaon through the narrow entrance of the harbor, was a young man who, with vigilant eyes and rapid gestures, watched every movement of the ship and repeated each of the pilot's orders.
The vague anxiety hovering over the crowd affected one man so much that he could not wait until the ship entered the harbor: he leaped into a small boat and ordered the boatman to row him out to meet the Pharaon.
What does the phrase “for the arrival of a ship is always a great event in Marseilles” suggest about the town of Marseilles?
A.
The town typically lacked a large amount of activity.
B.
The town arranged parades for ships entering the harbor.
C.
The town relied on ships for news from other towns.
D.
The town looked forward to change and innovation.
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The correct answer is:
C. The town relied on ships for news from other towns.
The excerpt indicates that the arrival of a ship is significant and draws the attention of the crowd, suggesting that ships are a source of information and connection to the outside world for the town.
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