The Great Stink of 1858

In the summer of 1858, the River Thames emitted a terrible stench due to excessive sewage, affecting the House of Commons and nearly closing Parliament. This event, known as the Great Stink, led to legislation for a new sewage system in London to combat the odor and associated diseases.

Where was the narrator sitting when they first noticed the terrible smell?

• In a restaurant

• On a boat

• In the House of Commons

• In a park

What did the smell resemble according to the narrator?

• Sweet perfume

• Fresh flowers

• Burning wood

• Rotting cabbage and decaying sewage

What was the historical significance of the summer of 1858?

• The year of the great fire

• The year of the great drought

• The year of the great flood

• The year of the great stink

What was the main cause of the terrible smell in the River Thames?

• Natural decay

• Excessive sewage dumping

• Chemical spills

• Industrial pollution

What solution was proposed to address the issue of the smell and disease in London?

• Building a new bridge

• Creating a new park

• Constructing a new sewage system

• Introducing new laws against pollution