答案：B

考查独立主格结构，主语是the only sign+分词being an ugly-looking goat构成独立主格结构，在句中做伴随状语，可以改写成句子：The village seemed deserted, and the only sign of life was  an ugly-looking black goat on a short length of rope tied to a tree in a field nearby。关键看两句话之间有没有连词。选B。