Why does the author use the entire first chapter to describe the setting of the town and how does this set the tone for the story?

It lets you imagine the characters surroundings. Its the plot and the setting that really matters cause that is where they are. If they are in a dark gleams town they might be depressed or if they live in a nicely furnished mansion they may be rich it helps you get information.

onto a large boat, and mark the water level that the boat sinks to. then, take the elephant out and put a bunch of marked weights onto the boat until it reaches the same water level. add up the masses of the weights to get the weight of the elephant.

i think its c

independent