Final answer:
The land around the village of Ndotsheni in the novel 'Cry, the Beloved Country' is described as failing, which signifies socio-economic struggles and environmental neglect.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the start of the novel Cry, the Beloved Country, the land around the village of Ndotsheni is depicted as b.) failing. This reflects the broader themes of the novel which grapple with the socio-economic struggles and the repercussions of apartheid in South Africa. The land's poor condition in the novel signifies the deteriorating relationship between people and their environment as well as the impact of colonial expansion, which has led to poor agricultural practices and neglect of natural resources.