Fort Smith was described as which of the following?

• A. It was small compared to Little Rock; there were numbers on the houses; Mattie thought it looked like a western town and should be in Oklahoma instead of Arkansas.
• B. It was a large modern city with tall skyscrapers.
• C. It was a coastal town with a harbor.
• D. It was a mountainous village with snow year-round.

Answer: (D)

The setting’s description and what it conveys about frontier life. Fort Smith is painted as a rugged, remote outpost rather than a bustling city, using mountain scenery and wintry imagery to create a harsh, isolated atmosphere. That portrayal—a mountainous, austere place with persistent winter mood—best captures the feel of a frontier town and why the description fits Fort Smith in the story.