5. Select the correct answer. Read the words spoken by an imaginary farmer in Rome, and then answer the question.

The threat of attack was always there. Life in the countryside seemed safer than in the cities, especially since we grew our own food to survive. But we never knew when one of the neighboring tribes or invaders would come through our town. Lord Otho lived nearby. He was a strong leader with money to pay several soldiers who were no longer loyal to the Roman Empire. We fled to his manor to ask for his protection in return for part of our grain. When he agreed, we all felt safer in our homes than we had in a long time.

What effect of the fall of the Roman Empire does the farmer describe?

A.
the decline in literacy
B.
the rise of the feudal system
C.
the diminished value of Roman coins
D.
the use of the barter system
E.
the survival of a strong central government