The question, "what does the writer say? " is a question of why?
a. interpretation
b. analysis
c. evaluation

The best answer for this item is the first choice, interpretation. The question asks for the thoughts of the readers on the message that the writer is trying to convey. Therefore, the question asks for the interpretation of the readers. 

The details that best show evidence of tribal traditions are, "never in the history of his people had a man married a woman who spoke a different tongue” and "it has never been heard," was the verdict of an old man speaking a few weeks later.