The correct answer is B) Most businesses were privately operated by risk-taking entrepreneurs.
The statement that describes a characteristic of the free enterprise system of Capitalism that expanded in Europe in the 1500s is " Most businesses were privately operated by risk-taking entrepreneurs.
European investors and entrepreneurs were only driven by money. They wanted to create a profit and be rich. For instance, many English decided to increase their wealth exploiting the raw materials and natural resources found in the new lands of North America. These entrepreneurs were people that liked to take a risk in order to have a profit. That is how many of them became wealthy in those years.