Question

read this excerpt from the great fire.

as soon as the first shouts of \fire!\ were heard, scores of people swarmed toward de koven street. many helped their neighbors fight the fire or drag furniture and clothes to the safety of the street. most stood by watching the yellow-orange flames leaping from roof to roof and listening to the horrible crackle pop of dry pine being consumed. fires were extremely common back then and thought to be as exciting and dramatic as a night at the theater.

which statement best describes the effect of people shouting, \fire!\?

• most residents ignored the warning and stayed inside.
• most residents volunteered to help extinguish the blaze.
• most residents came out to watch the blaze.
• most residents fled the area to a safer place.

Explanation:

Analyze the cause and effect

Using the Cause and Effect Analysis knowledge point:
The cause is the shouting of "Fire!". We must identify the immediate effects described in the text.

Locate textual evidence

Using the Text Evidence knowledge point:
The text states: "As soon as the first shouts of 'Fire!' were heard, scores of people swarmed toward De Koven Street." It then notes: "Many helped... Most stood by watching...".

Evaluate the options

Using the Text Evidence and Cause and Effect Analysis knowledge points:

• Option 1: Incorrect. The text says they "swarmed toward" the street, not stayed inside.
• Option 2: Incorrect. Only "Many" helped, while "Most stood by watching".
• Option 3: Correct. "Most stood by watching the yellow-orange flames..." matches "Most residents came out to watch the blaze."
• Option 4: Incorrect. They swarmed toward the fire to watch it, rather than fleeing.

Answer:

• Most residents ignored the warning and stayed inside.
• Most residents volunteered to help extinguish the blaze.
• Most residents came out to watch the blaze. (Correct answer)
• Most residents fled the area to a safer place.