There are lots of "could"
1. It can be inferred from the passage that the "rules and regulations" affecting serfdom in Russia involved
❑ responsibility for the work needed to accomplish certain defined tasks - since they are able to get around landlord's rules and regulations, then serfs were given responsibilities to complete the defined tasks.
❑ restrictions on freedom of movement - Yes, If they could pay, then they are allowed to leave. This means that they do not have any money. Hence, restricted.
❑ limitations on the ability to set up an independent household - same as above.
2. The highlighted sentence has which of the following functions in the passage?
❑ It provides support for an argument presented in the preceding sentence. - Yes "rules and regulations"
❑ It provides evidence that helps undermine a view introduced in the first sentence. - Yes, Conventional view stated that serfs inhibited (stop or hinders) growth. This states otherwise.
❑ It
raises a question that the succeeding sentence will resolve. - There is not U turn made in the succeeding sentence.