Question
Most major American cities have had a brush with a large-scale fire in the past. Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago sprang up almost overnight, and the architectural planning of these cities was often unreliable. Because the great majority of the buildings were built from wood, rather than stone or brick, disaster was always close at hand. If one or more buildings caught fire in a densely populated area, then a volunteer fire department was usually no match for the quickly spreading flames.
Fortunately, early inhabitants of these cities were hardy, unlike the wooden structures in which they lived. No sooner did the smoke clear than these citizens began working to rebuild their homes and business. The new buildings were built from brick and stone. Not only were these structures more architecturally sound than before—they were also more ornate. That's because cities were often given federal aid after a fire, which allowed them to hire talented architects from all over the country. Thus, in a sense, the destruction of a fire presented an opportunity for a new start.
If one or more buildings caught fire in a densely populated area, then a volunteer fire department was usually no match for the quickly spreading flames.
In this sentence, what does the phrase no match connote or suggest about the volunteer fire department?
A.
They were uncertain about their duty.
B.
They were reluctant to work.
C.
They were dispirited and unhelpful.
D.
They were unequal to the task.
Fortunately, early inhabitants of these cities were hardy, unlike the wooden structures in which they lived. No sooner did the smoke clear than these citizens began working to rebuild their homes and business. The new buildings were built from brick and stone. Not only were these structures more architecturally sound than before—they were also more ornate. That's because cities were often given federal aid after a fire, which allowed them to hire talented architects from all over the country. Thus, in a sense, the destruction of a fire presented an opportunity for a new start.
If one or more buildings caught fire in a densely populated area, then a volunteer fire department was usually no match for the quickly spreading flames.
In this sentence, what does the phrase no match connote or suggest about the volunteer fire department?
A.
They were uncertain about their duty.
B.
They were reluctant to work.
C.
They were dispirited and unhelpful.
D.
They were unequal to the task.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The phrase "no match" in this context suggests that the volunteer fire department was insufficient or inadequate in comparison to the rapidly spreading flames. Therefore, the correct answer is:
D. They were unequal to the task.
D. They were unequal to the task.