Information and IdeasEasy–MediumLocating a stated reason
Information and Ideas practice question
During the siege of Paris in 1870–71, balloons carried mail out of the city, but nothing could fly back in against the prevailing winds. The answer was pigeons. Carried out of Paris by balloon, they flew home bearing messages photographed onto tiny films, each film holding thousands of words.
According to the text, why were pigeons used to carry messages into Paris?
- A. Balloons could leave the city but could not return against the wind.Correct
- B. Pigeons could carry more mail than balloons could.
- C. The photographic films were too fragile to send by balloon.
- D. The balloons had all been captured by the besieging army.
Answer: A. Balloons could leave the city but could not return against the wind.
The text states the problem directly: balloons went out, but 'nothing could fly back in against the prevailing winds'. Pigeons were the answer to that problem.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Pigeons could carry more mail than balloons could.
- The text says each film held thousands of words, but never compares pigeon and balloon capacity.
- C. The photographic films were too fragile to send by balloon.
- The films are described as tiny, not fragile, and they went out by balloon in the first place.
- D. The balloons had all been captured by the besieging army.
- No capture of balloons is mentioned; the obstacle was the wind.
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