In general, readers today have a better understanding of science than readers in 1898. how would the tone of the passage's narrator have affected readers in 1898 versus readers today? a. it would have seemed more insulting, since the narrator seems to belittle the readers. b. it would have seemed more frightening, since the narrator is so knowledgeable about science. c. it would have seemed far too complicated to understand. d. it would have seemed more credible, since the narrator speaks with scientific authority.

We can select the correct answer among the multiple-choices. The author doesn't insult the readers because there is not any valid evidence to prove it. The same applies to the second option. We don't know that the narrator is knowledgeable or not - we need extra information to confirm that. The excerpt is just one sentence and it is clearly defined that there is nothing complicated. The only correct and suitable option is the last one since the answer is closer to understand. The correct answer is D.

i feel like it is actually b.