Maria is two weeks older than me.
Answer:
I believe this would be an adverb phrase as you are describing an action.
B) The daily work continued; nay, it actually increased;
Something that is happening on a consistent basis. It also gives the feeling that it is work to make it persistent. In option B, the statement "daily work" indicates that something is done daily which supports the idea of persistent. The sentence containing the line "The daily work continued; nay, it actually increased" also includes the description "with an astonishing pertinacity." Pertinacity means persistent determination. The brain failing and life slipping away does not show any persistent determination. Also, the statement that she inquired with acute anxiety does not how any persistent determination.
