Whow does the author compare the old world to America in the beginning of the text

She describes the Old World as a place of boring, stifling tradition, as opposed to the new and evolving culture of America.

Explanation:

d. i assume the underlined word is "role." reformat if it isn't.

explanation:

role is closest to part because when replacing words, "playing a vital decision," "playing a vital activity," and "playing a vital dollar" don't make logical sense. the only meaningful choice is "playing a vital part."

this fits one of merriam-webster's definitions of role: "a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process."