following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part
A
Read the excerpt from "The Java Disaster."
By 11:30 we were enclosed in a darkness that might almost be felt, and at
the
same time
commenced a downpour of mud, sand, and I know not what....
We had seen two
vessels to the north and north-west of us before the sky
closed in,
adding much to the anxiety of our position. At noon the darkness
was so intense
that we had to grope our way about the decks, and although
speaking to each
other... [we] could not see each other. This horrible state
and
downpour of mud, etc., continued until 1:30, the roaring of the volcano
and
lightning being something fearful.
Which is the best description of the main idea of the paragraph?
A. The eruption occurred in the evening.
B.
The crew members could not find their way around the ship.
C. The eruption caused debris to block out all light from the sun.
D.
The eruption caused other ships in the area to flee.d