Choose the word or words that best complete the sentence.
by being both and the train conductor was almost always able to calm riders while taking their concerns seriously.
a) prosaic … abstract
b) innovative … sonorous
c) apprehensive … naive
d) serene … staid

d)

Explanation:

serene means peaceful

staid means respectable or serious-minded

d.

Explanation:

serene means calm so if the conductor is calm the riders will be too.

What nowadays is considered Western literature comes from a lot of different backgrounds, a lot of its bases are European. European literature has its origins with Greek, Latin,  Baltic, Celtic, and other cultures that have influenced it a lot.  

Religion. Even though nowadays it is not as influential in literature as it used to be, it has been a common theme of literature throughout the centuries in European writers, even if it is not the main idea of the text certainly it is common to perceive it presented in a way or another.

Politics. Most of the democracies in the world have reminiscents of the policies that were used for the French revolution. European writers have had a strong influence in politics because of the way they perceive politics as a fundamental part of society, this is likely a heritage of cultures like the greek, roman and others. It is common to find references to politics in European writers even if it is not the main subject of the writings.

Literature is in constant evolution, and innovation is what keeps it moving forward so a lot of practices are questioned and changed over time, but these have been some major points throughout time.