Correct answer is (c) To denote the most significant bit
To explain I would say: The shiftIn() function shifts in one byte of a binary number bit by bit starting from either the most significant bit or the least significant bit. Now after each bit is pulled, the clock pin is turned to HIGH until the next one at which point the clock pin is turned down to LOW again. Now the MSBFIRST argument denotes that the byte of data be read from left to right.