Which line from “cruel tribute” best supports the idea that the elders to advance the plot?

"It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed," they said.

Explanation: This is the line that supports in a better way the idea that the elders help to advance the plot becuase it shows that the elders would risk their lifes in order to protect the city.

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.

what are the phrases to choose from?