题目解析:
A 选项的 quality of work 定位到第四段的第一句话:
...especially when complaints were heard in the latter sixteenth century that the standards and traditions of the Arsenale were running down.
这句话的 runnning down 和 A 选项的 decline 呼应,所以 A 不选;
B 选项用 heavy 和 inefficient 定位到第三段最后一句话:
Venice clung to its outdated standard while the Dutch were innovation in the lighter and more easily handled ships.
这里拿 Venice 的船和 Dutch 的工艺对比,显出 Venice 船的中和难操作。和 B 选项对应,所以 B 不选。
C 选项的 worked more slowly 定位到第四段第二句话:
Work was stretched out and done poorly.
这里强调了工作拉长了,也就是速度慢了,所以 C 正确,不选。
D 选项的 buying 和 selling 定位,发现原文无提及,所以选 D。