Final answer:
The best statement that describes the tone of the passage about farmers' debt and crop failure is that the author uses the word 'creep' to make debt seem sinister.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage describing the farmers' struggles with debt and crop failure conveys a certain tone that reflects the author's intention and evokes a specific response from the reader. The statement that best captures the tone of this passage is that the author uses the word "creep" to emphasize that debt is sinister (Option C). The personification of debt creeping up akin to an inevitable tide and the description of the farmers' futile efforts give the passage a somber and somewhat foreboding tone. This selection expresses the essence of the passage by recognizing the palpable sense of dread and powerlessness that the author imparts, suggesting that debt is an insidious force that gradually overcomes farmers despite their hard work.