Question

which line from \cruel tribute\ best supports the idea that the elders help to advance the plot?
○ \o mighty king,\ they said, \what have we done that you should wish thus to destroy us from the earth?\
○ \but we do deny it—we do deny it!\
○ \what is the tribute which you require?\
○ \it is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,\ they said.

Explanation:

The question asks for the line where elders advance the plot. The first three lines are either pleas, denials, or questions that don't drive the core conflict forward. The final line presents the elders' decision to accept the tribute system, which directly sets up the central premise of the story (the annual sacrifice that propels the plot's events like Theseus's journey).

Answer:

D. "It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed," they said.