Question

which supporting detail from the great fire conveys the main idea that firefighters alone were not able to contain the fire?

• only one group of firefighters responded to the fire.
• firefighters from wisconsin were asked to help.
• firefighters asked spectators to help, and many did.
• the hose carts that firefighters used failed at critical moments.

Explanation:

Analyze the main idea

The target main idea is that firefighters alone were not able to contain the fire, which implies they required external assistance or additional people to help them.

Evaluate the options

• "Only one group of firefighters responded to the fire" does not show they needed outside help to contain it.
• "Firefighters from Wisconsin were asked to help" shows that out-of-state firefighters were requested, but the most direct evidence of firefighters needing immediate, local help on the ground to physically contain the fire is when they had to enlist the crowd.
• "Firefighters asked spectators to help, and many did" directly supports the idea that the firefighters themselves could not handle the situation alone and had to rely on ordinary citizens (spectators) to assist with the containment efforts.
• "The hose carts that firefighters used failed at critical moments" explains a equipment failure, but does not directly convey the idea of needing outside human assistance to contain the fire.

Select the best supporting detail

The detail that firefighters asked spectators to help, and many did, directly demonstrates that the firefighting force alone was insufficient to manage and contain the fire.

Answer:

• Only one group of firefighters responded to the fire.
• Firefighters from Wisconsin were asked to help.
• Firefighters asked spectators to help, and many did. (Correct answer)
• The hose carts that firefighters used failed at critical moments.