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Information and IdeasHardDetail: what stopped the clock

Information and Ideas practice question

The tower clock stopped at ten past three on 4 March 1921 and has never run since. Legend blames a lightning strike, but the parish accounts for that month record no storm; they record instead a payment to a clockmaker who found that the mainspring had snapped from age and that no replacement could be had. The clock has been kept at ten past three ever since, by decision of the council, as the cheapest option.

According to the text, why did the clock stop in 1921?

  1. A. Its mainspring broke from age.Correct
  2. B. It was struck by lightning.
  3. C. The council switched it off to save money.
  4. D. The clockmaker damaged it.

Answer: A. Its mainspring broke from age.

The accounts say the spring snapped.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It was struck by lightning.
That is the legend the accounts contradict.
C. The council switched it off to save money.
The council only decided to leave it stopped.
D. The clockmaker damaged it.
The clockmaker diagnosed it.

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