Read this excerpt from The Writings of Thomas Paine, Vol. IV. In the fall of the year that New York was evacuated (1783), General Washington had his headquarters at Mrs. Berrian's, at Rocky Hill, in Jersey, and I was there: the Congress then sat at Prince Town. We had several times been told that the river or creek, that runs near the bottom of Rocky Hill, and over which there is a mill, might be set on fire, for that was the term the country people used; and as General Washington had a mind to try the experiment. What would a story written about this historical time most likely include?

In this question the options are missing; here are the options:

What would a story written about this historical time most likely include?

A. A character receiving an order from General Washington to set the creek on fire.

B. Events resulting from a terrible snowstorm that occurred in February 1783.

C. A conflict between city people and country people being resolved.

D. General Washington's boyhood home in Virginia being described.

The answer to this question is A. A character receiving an order from General Washington to set the creek on fire.

Explanation:

The excerpt focuses on the idea General Washington wanted to set the creek on fire. This is explained in "the river or creek...might be set on fire...and as General Washington had a mind to try the experiment". In this context, if a story is created using this information or context, it is expected the story focuses on how the creek is set on fire. Moreover, it is expected General Washington is the one that leads this action and that he gives orders to others to complete it. According to this, the correct answer is the first option.