Read the excerpt from "Ship's Chronometer from HMS Beagle."

As a maritime nation, the British were concerned with one problem in particular: they could make clocks that kept very good time as long as they stayed perfectly still but not when they were shaken about, and particularly not on board a rolling ship. If you wanted to sail, it was impossible to keep a precise record of time.

Based on the context clues, what is the meaning of the word maritime in the passage?

A bordering the sea; nautical

B over-scheduled

C characterized by calm; restful

D accurate or specific

A bordering the sea; nautical

The word maritime is being used as an adjective to describe nation. We know that Britain is a nation that is "bordering the sea". Also, the problem with the clocks is due to the clocks being at sea. Therefore, it would make the most sense to describe Britain as a nautical nation to show the extent of the problem with the clocks. Also, when thinking about the other options, a person usually wouldn't describe a nation as being over-scheduled or specific. If everything in Britain was restful and calm, the clocks wouldn't have a problem.

The answer is:A (bordering the sea; nautical)