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 passage first describes a peaceful, quiet scene with no signs of danger. Then, it suddenly mentions the disaster in Galveston. This contrast emphasizes the unexpectedness of the disaster. The other options are not supported by the text. There is no focus on journalists knowing more, no mention of firefighters' response, and the main point is not the power of nature but the contrast between peace and disaster.

Answer:

to show the contrast between the peaceful silence and the devastation