Question

from little journeys to the homes of the great, vol. 3: lit

1. nine miles south of boston, just a little back from the shores of old ocean, lies the village of braintree. it is on the post - road, being one of that string of settlements, built a few apart for better protection, that lined the sea, boston being and plymouth full to overflowing, the home - seekers spread and south.
2. in sixteen hundred twenty, when the first cabin was in braintree, land that was not in sight of the coast had actual value. back a mile, all was a howling wilderness, with trails made by beasts. these paths led through tangles of fallen trees and rocks, beneath dark, overhanging pines where winter’s snow not till midsummer, and the sun’s rays were strange and alien. who sought to traverse these ways had to crouch and crawl. through them no horse or ox or beast of burden had carried.

question 3: land far from the coast had no value because
a many were interested in living near there.
b the view to the water was breathtaking.
c the land was not useful for farming.
d the ocean played a vital role in trade.

Explanation:

The passage implies that in the early - settlement period near Boston, the ocean was crucial for trade. Land far from the coast was less valuable because it was not well - connected to the ocean - based trade routes.

Answer:

D. the ocean played a vital role in trade.