Directions (Q.90 to Q.94): Read the passage carefully and answer the question that follows.
The city of London is situated on the banks of the River Thames, which has a wide breadth and deep water. Due to its proximity to the sea coast and plenty of water in the River Thames, London is also a huge port. Hundreds of ships come and go there every day, and when viewed from afar, it looks like a forest of masts over the River Thames. From here, goods are sent to and received from all directions of the earth. A large part of the food supplies for London and England arrives at this port. If the movement of ships stops for a week, there would be widespread panic and outcry (Trahi-Trahi) in this country. Therefore, the British Empire has made its naval power so strong that no state power in the world can compete with it in a naval war.
What does the author mean by the phrase "forest of masts"?
- AInnumerable masts
- BRows of masts
- CAbundance of masts
- DAttractive view of masts
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
A mast is a tall spar rising from the deck of a ship. When hundreds of ships gather together at the port, their dense collection of vertical masts resembles a thick forest. Thus, using the metaphor "forest of masts", the author intends to convey the presence of 'innumerable masts' due to the huge number of ships. Therefore, option A is correct.