Question

the following text is from joseph conrads 1907 novel the secret agent: a simple tale. mr. verloc is navigating the london streets on his way to a meeting. before reaching knightsbridge, mr. verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare, uproarious with the traffic of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift flow of hansoms horse - drawn carriages. under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an embassy. and mr. verloc, steady like a rock—a soft kind of rock—marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described as private. which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole? choose 1 answer: a it contrasts mr. verloc with his surroundings. b it emphasizes an internal struggle mr. verloc experiences. c it qualifies an earlier description of mr. verloc. d it reveals a private opinion mr. verloc holds.

Explanation:

The earlier description calls Mr. Verloc "steady like a rock". The under - lined phrase "a soft kind of rock" modifies and qualifies this initial description, making it more nuanced. It's not a contrast with surroundings, doesn't show internal struggle, and isn't a private opinion.

Answer:

C. It qualifies an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.