Me asap! if you answer this correctly, i promise to reward you 50 points!
1. read this excerpt from the great fire.

schaffer's first signal went out at 9: 30. several minutes later, schaffer realized his mistake and ordered box 319 struck. this was still seven blocks away from the o'learys', but close enough that firefighters could see the flames and alter their course. unfortunately, schaffer's young assistant, william j. brown, stubbornly refused to strike box 319, saying he was afraid it would confuse the situation. brown was so stubborn about his decision that even after the fire he was able to write arrogantly in a letter that "i am still standing the watch that burned chicago."

these errors had two fatal consequences. the most obvious was that a number of engines and dozens of firefighters were sent on a wild-goose chase and did not get to the fire for many minutes. more critical is that it kept fire companies located near de koven street in their stations. several had seen the eerie, dancing glow beyond the rooftops near them and, even without official notice from schaffer, prepared to respond. when they heard box 342 rung, however, they assumed the fire was out of their territory and unhitched the horses. only two fire companies were not fooled by the misleading alarm.

how does the structure of this excerpt illustrate the central idea that a series of individual mistakes contributed to the spread of the blaze?

a. by comparing and contrasting different people’s decisions and abilities
b. by comparing and contrasting the most effective firefighting techniques
c. by clearly explaining the reasons for the misleading alarm and its impact
d. by clearly explaining the reasons the fire started and the way it was put out

2. read this excerpt from the great fire.

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 central idea does this excerpt support?

a. many mistakes contributed to the spread of the fire and prevented it from being put out.
b. the fire spread because the firefighters were not equipped to handle such a massive blaze.
c. many residents aided the firefighters by carrying furniture and their neighbors escape.
d. residents were used to fires and did not think that this one was different from any others.

3. read this excerpt from the great fire.

the fire had begun near the corner of de koven and jefferson and quickly fanned out to increasingly gusty winds. one tongue traveled north up jefferson, while the other headed east toward lake michigan. there was no way firefighters from two engines could contain a wind-driven fire with such a wide front. still, they did their best.

two men hauled the cumbersome canvas hose as close to the flames as possible and aimed a stream of water at the burning building. the water hissed and boiled when it struck the burning wood, sending up a vapor of white steam.

according to the excerpt, what caused the fire to spread so quickly?

a. the gusty winds
b. the canvas hose
c. the white steam
d. the firefighters