16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardTwo views on an ancient famine

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 The famine of 1315 was caused by the weather: three years of cold, wet summers rotted the harvests across the whole of northern Europe. Text 2 The rains fell on everyone, but not everyone starved. Regions with good roads to the coast imported grain and lost few people; the inland regions that starved were those whose rulers had banned the movement of grain to keep local prices low. The weather made the shortage; policy made the famine.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

  1. A. Text 2 accepts the weather as the trigger but argues that political decisions determined where shortage became famine.Correct
  2. B. Text 2 denies that the summers were wet.
  3. C. Text 2 argues that the famine affected all regions equally.
  4. D. Text 2 agrees that the weather alone explains the famine.

Answer: A. Text 2 accepts the weather as the trigger but argues that political decisions determined where shortage became famine.

Shortage from weather, famine from policy.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Text 2 denies that the summers were wet.
The rains are accepted.
C. Text 2 argues that the famine affected all regions equally.
Text 2 stresses the differences between regions.
D. Text 2 agrees that the weather alone explains the famine.
Text 2 adds policy.

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