Final answer:
A 'vessel' is a general term for a large boat or ship, which makes both b) boat and c) ship correct. However, 'ship' is a more encompassing term if only one answer can be chosen, although 'craft' and 'ark' are also types of vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Each of the options provided, craft, boat, ship, and ark, can be associated with the word "vessel." However, in the most general sense, the word vessel encompasses all of these terms as it refers to a large boat or ship. The term's use in historical contexts, such as the construction and significance of ships to the Vikings and other ancient cultures, highlights its inclusiveness of various maritime conveyances, from day-to-day transport to the symbolic use as tombs of high status.
For instance, the Vikings were known for their shipbuilding skills, creating strong ships with keels built from overlapping planks of old-growth oak trees, as noted in the recreated model mentioned. Similarly, the Arab dhow, with its lashed and stitched hull construction and lateen rigged sail, is another historical example of a maritime vessel. In terms of artistic and functional objects from antiquity, vessels such as kraters and stirrup jars represent a more generic use of the word, encompassing containers for storage and pouring.
Considering all contexts, the answer to the question would be b) boat or c) ship, with the latter being more encompassing if we are to select only one. Nonetheless, answer a) craft and d) ark are also types of vessels, showing the versatility of the term.