8
QuizMultiple Choice

Themes in The Great Fire

Question 8 • 2025/26 IGC-English II - Prescriptive

Read this excerpt from The Great Fire."I saw a great many kindly acts done as we moved along," White would recall almost fondly. "The poor helped the rich, and the rich helped the poor (if anybody could be called rich at such a time) to get on with their loads. I heard of cartmen demanding one hundred and fifty dollars (in hand, of course) for carrying a single load. Very likely it was so, but those cases did not come under my own notice. It did come under my notice that some cartmen worked for whatever the sufferers felt able to pay, and one I knew worked with alacrity for nothing. It takes all sorts of people to make a great fire."

Answer
A
Some cartmen tried to overcharge people who needed help.
B
People hurried away from the fire in large, chaotic groups.
C
Many people were unable to carry their belongings on their own.
D
Some cartmen helped others haul their belongs for little to no pay.

Explanation

White says some cartmen worked for whatever the fire victims felt able to pay, and one he knew worked for nothing. This supports the idea that some cartmen helped people move their belongings for little or no pay. The claim that cartmen overcharged is mentioned only as something White heard about, not something he personally observed.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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