In what way did the slave trade hurt village life in west and central africa?
the gold and salt trade lost a lot of business to the slave trade.
borders were created that split ethnic groups.
villages lost many skilled members of the community.
enslaved africans sent for their families soon after they left the african coast.

The question is asking what hurt village life- so this is already a clue, we are looking for effects on village life, that is the communities. The best answer is the following one :Villages lost many skilled members of the community. It shows a negative effect on the communities.

The first two options don't describe effects on communities and the last optionis false- they didn't want their families to share their misery.