A). The details provide examples of how France gradually became a place for worldwide trade.
Explanation:
As per the question, option A reveals that how the details support the central idea of the passage as the 'illustrations provided discloses how France eventually became a place for worldwide trade'. Illustrations or examples always play a vital role in validating the central idea or claim of the author and establish the credibility of the author and his claim. Similarly, in the given passage <em>the illustrations 'starting around 1150....buy and sell products...', 'a first step...beyond', etc. portray the manner in which France slowly took the world market.</em> Thus, <u>option A</u> is the correct answer.
