Respuesta :
The phrase from the above excerpt that has the most negative connotation is D.utter barrenness.
What does it mean to have a negative connotation?
Connotation refers to a meaning of a word that is outside its primary meaning. When the connotation is negative, it means that the word is being used to describe something bad.
The phrase, "utter barrenness" is negative connotatively because barrenness is associated with being unable to be productive which is not a good thing.
In conclusion, option D is correct.
Find out more on connotation at https://brainly.com/question/14905866.