Question 21 • FL-2109010-M/J World History A - Teacher Directed Resource
Read the passage.In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city of Pompeii in mud and ash. After investigating, historians found that the volcano was part of a series of events that people had ignored. In 62 CE, Pompeii experienced a large earthquake. After this earthquake, many smaller earthquakes occurred. Based on this, the people of Pompeii should have known that another serious natural event was likely to happen. Even as the volcano started to erupt, people stayed to clean up the falling ash. The eruption completely destroyed the city and killed many people.
Answer
A
Sources from that period explain that residents fell ill and died from the volcanic mud.
B
Newly discovered accounts explained that most residents died instantly from fires after the eruption.
C
Sources from that period show that residents did not take the threat of eruption seriously and stayed in the city.
D
Recent scientific advances proved that polluted water from the volcano most likely killed any residents who drank it.
Explanation
The passage says Pompeii had a major earthquake followed by many smaller ones, but residents still did not act as if a serious event was coming. It also says people stayed to clean up the falling ash after the volcano began erupting. These details support choice C: sources show residents did not take the threat of eruption seriously and stayed in the city.
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