Why were boomtown merchants able to sell their products for so much money?

What words and phrases convey the tone of the text? an ordinary man

Read this passage: byron and mitch are co-captains of the mathletes, their high school's academic team. they are backstage with the five other team members, preparing to compete in the state math quiz. byron sits on the floor with his eyes closed and his earbuds in, listening to classical jazz, which him focus his mind and energy. suddenly, he feels a presence beside him. he opens his eyes to see mitch staring at him. "mathletes! mathletes! " mitch chants loudly. mitch gives byron a thumbs-up and then proceeds to strut around like a peacock, high-fiving the other team members, as byron shuts his eyes again and does his best to refocus his mind which statement best summarizes the passage?

How much time has elapsed from the very beginning of "the memior of the conquistador bernal diaz del castillo" to the end? a. castillo's whole life b. a quarter of an hour c. a few weeks d. a decade