The villagers . . . . . . . . the death of their leader by keeping all the shops closed.

The correct answer is C. mourned.

The villagers mourned the death of their leader by keeping all the shops closed. This is a common way to show respect for the dead and to express grief. It is also a way to bring the community together in a time of mourning.

The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the villagers’ actions.

• Option A, announced, is incorrect because the villagers did not announce the death of their leader. They simply kept all the shops closed.
• Option B, protested, is incorrect because the villagers were not protesting the death of their leader. They were mourning his death.
• Option D, consoled, is incorrect because the villagers were not consoling each other. They were mourning the death of their leader.
• Option E, avenged, is incorrect because the villagers did not avenge the death of their leader. They were mourning his death.