The correct option is B. Inform the reader about the various ways people reacted to the plague.
Options A, C and E are incorrect because they state that the author is trying to persuade the audience. This text is merely informative, it presents the facts and provides examples in a very objective way. It doesn't include adjectives describing feelings, personal opinions or phrases which try to convince the reader.
Option D. is wrong because the text is not about how people survived the plague but how they react in different ways in that context.
