Read the passage, and answer the question. i left the port city early in the morning. the boat was loaded with wood, spices, and perfumes from lands across the sea. raising our sails, we caught the wind and sailed the mighty nile. at one market, i bartered for more linen and grains. at another, we obtained oil and wine. at the next, salt. yes, we needed that. i watched another merchant amble away, his donkeys pulling carts filled with jars and bundles. i had farther to go, too. i thanked the river for speeding my journey. its waters were low, and i watched workers turning lumber like ours into new boats along its banks. in a few days, we would reach aswan. there, we would trade for gold and animal skins. perhaps we would find new things, too, before turning around and beginning the trip anew. what benefits does the trader receive from the nile river? it shows him what life is like in egypt. it gives him many opportunities to trade. it takes him across the sea to distant ports. its waters provide goods and resources to sell.