PART A: In paragraph 31, Vashti declares: “I dislike seeing the horrible brown earth, the sea, and the stars when it is dark. I get no ideas in an air-ship.” Which of the following best summarizes how this line establishes humanity’s view of the earth? A This remark shows that the humans living in the Machine have no respect for the earth because they no longer need it. B This remark tells us that much of humanity has lost its appreciation for earth and nature, to the point of resenting its mere appearance. C This remark embodies an attitude of ambivalence towards nature. D This remark tells us that humanity’s minds have become narrow and dark, like the underground Machine.

The question above is related to the short story entitled, "The Machine Stops." It focuses on two characters namely, Vashti and Kuno (her son). In the story, people were living underground and no longer on the surface of the earth. They were able to meet their needs through a global Machine. People were placed in isolated rooms where they communicated with other people through instant messages and video conferences. There were actually some people called the "homeless outcasts" who tried to live on the surface of the Earth.

Unlike her son, Kuno, who was interested to visit and know more about the surface of the Earth, Vashti was "not interested in natural inspiration." So, this explains her remark above. It shows how much of humanity has lost their appreciation for earth and nature. This is the extent to which the underground Machine did to people in the "poisoned darkness."

So, this explains the answer.