Questions from 'Like Black Smoke'

In 'Like Black Smoke,' the author organizes this selection by –

• Comparing the Black Death to other epidemics in Europe

• Describing the various symptoms of Black Death

• Detailing how rapidly and far the Black Death spread

• Relating the scientific causes of the Black Death

Which of the following conclusions is supported by paragraph 15 of 'Like Black Smoke'?

• Rats prefer warm weather

• Cold winters usually reduce flea activity

• Large families were common in Europe

• House rats lived longer than other rodents

The image below paragraph 19 in 'Like Black Smoke' is included most likely to-

• Highlight the journey of the Black Death across Europe and into other areas

• Show how fleas carried the bacteria that caused Black Death

• Explain how the Black Death was transmitted

• Show many people died from the Black Death

Which word from the list best matches the meaning of the word prosperous in paragraph 2?

• wealthy

• growing

• comfortable

• impoverished

Which of these is the best summary of “Like Black Smoke”?

• The trade routes and importation of goods made it easier for the rats and their fleas to travel across various locations, even after many cities has closed their ports to infected travelers and contaminated goods.

• Not only did the Black Death spread easily by infected fleas found on wild rats, it also became airborne when a victim whose lungs were full of the bacteria would sneeze or cough.

• The Black Death killed many people all over Europe and other areas because of the flea’s ability to survive even after its host had died.

• Black Death began in Asia and moved through parts of Europe and other areas, wiping out large populations of people. Spread by rats with bacteria-infected fleas, the Black Death found its way into three continents before it finally came to an end.

Why does the author include the subheadings throughout the article “Like Black Smoke”?

• To emphasize the main idea of the section

• To highlight an important fact

• To introduce a new story

• To show the timeline of events