The way imagery in this excerpt affect the passage is It helps create a somber mood.
Imagery in stories gives a better idea of the setting of the events, which can make the reader not only to understand better but to absorb the feelings and the atmosphere.
The expression "Here the homes were tangled in cypress, low-hanging moss, tires, blocked-up cars, and rusty swing sets: the debris of people’s lives" is a clear example of dark imagery.
The other options are not possible because
:
B. It suggests that strip malls are impressive. (there's no imagery that talks about the malls)
C. It conveys the idea that the city council members feel guilty about their actions. (it only talks about the fact that they have ignored the situations but it doesn't give imagery)
D. It establishes a jovial tone. (The vocabulary doesn't have any kind of happy connotation)
