‘it may be cold up north, but down in the gulf they are fishing—scudding among the florida keys in a little white sailboat, landing for lunch on a strand as snowy as the northern streets, where the shimmering distances of white sand are paved with shell and pearl, and the tide thrums out its old song under the palms.’ what two things are being compared in this sentence? a) a pavement of shells and a row of palms b) the florida keys and the northern streets c) a little white sailboat and shimmering sand d) a white, sandy beach and a snow covered street

D

Explanation:

In this sentence, the beaches of the Florida Keys are white and pristine enough to have the same appearance as a snow-covered street up North at the same time of year.

The pavement of shells are not being compared to a row of palms, because those are both details found at the beach. The white sailboat is not being compared to the beach; it is only landing there. The Florida Keys themselves are not being compared to the northern streets. It is the beaches of the Florida Keys that are the object of comparison.

b is the answer.   i sat on the lumpy sofa, totally exhausted, with a bad taste in my mouth, wondering what i should do next.