B would be incorrect because of the use of "nor".
Without innovation in food production, the factories could not have grown so fast.
This is the answer because this fact is mentioned several times in the article.
<u>Answer:</u>
<em>The second statement in the given excerpt illustrates that Nicki is a round character. </em>
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<u>Explanation:</u>
This is because she is feeling the footsteps of the thugs and also is able to think about their behaviour or character. She can compare their characteristics with the sacks of sugar because it can be bought and sold. She is not indulging into deep thinking by stopping in the woods. Rather she knows and thinks while moving forward and figuring out what to do.