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Information and IdeasMediumDetail: why the ferry stopped running

Information and Ideas practice question

The ferry across the river ran for two centuries, powered by the current alone: a cable across the river held the boat, and the ferryman angled it so the water pushed it over. It stopped in 1968, not because a bridge was built, but because the river's flow, reduced by a new dam upstream, was no longer strong enough to push the boat.

According to the text, why did the ferry stop running in 1968?

  1. A. A dam upstream weakened the current that powered it.Correct
  2. B. A bridge was built across the river.
  3. C. The cable broke.
  4. D. The ferryman retired.

Answer: A. A dam upstream weakened the current that powered it.

The dam, not a bridge.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. A bridge was built across the river.
The text says no bridge was built.
C. The cable broke.
Not mentioned.
D. The ferryman retired.
Not mentioned.

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