Answer: before
Explanation: A subordinating conjunction is a word or phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause. Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are used at the beginning of subordinate clauses. Some examples of these conjunctions are; although, after, before, because, how, if, once, since, so that, until, unless, when etc.
The phrases creating a tone of foreboding are:
- "strange blight;"
- "evil spell;"
- "mysterious maladies;"
- "shadow of death."
<em>Foreboding</em> means predicting or announcing that something bad is about to happen. Taking the answers one by one, you can see how they relate to the same ominous idea:
- a "strange blight" and "evil maladies" refer to a destructive condition which no-body can explain;
- an "evil spell" means that it is interpreted as a magical curse;
- the "shadow of death" is a metaphor meaning that death is coming to the crops or cattle (depending on the original text excerpt).
Answer: The correct answer would be D: annoting texts
Explanation: