Question

Which of these excerpts from Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi best shows Twain's subtle sense of humor?

A. At last he turned up as apprentice engineer or "striker" on a steamboat. This thing shook the bottom out of all my Sunday-school teachings.
B. The white town drowsing in the sunshine of a summer's morning; the streets empty, or pretty nearly so; one or two clerks sitting in front of the Water Street stores . . .
C. The captain lifts his hand, a bell rings, the wheels stop; then they turn back, churning the water to foam, and the steamer is at rest.
D. The pilot, even in those days of trivial wages, had a princely salary—from a hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty dollars a month, and no board to pay.

Answer 1

a

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The excerpt that best shows Twain's subtle sense of humor is (A) At last he turned up as apprentice engineer or "striker" on a steamboat. This thing shook the bottom out of all my Sunday-school teachings.

Step-by-step explanation:

A subtle sense of humor is one that is sophisticated and quiet. Thus, it is not obvious. Excerpt A is a clear example of Twain's subtle sense of humor which is very characteristic of his style. It is shown in the following quote: "This thing shook the bottom out of all my Sunday-school teachings."