Final answer:
The equation y = -7x - 3 represents a linear function that is translated 3 units downwards from the parent function y = -7x.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation y = -7x - 3 represents a linear function that is translated from the parent function y = -7x. The translation is given by the constant term in the equation, which is -3.
In this case, the translation is 3 units downwards, as the constant term is negative.
Therefore, the answer is C. 3 units down.