Question

What Caused MPI in Strasbourg?
The mass psychogenic illness (MPI) that caused the dancing sickness was probably the result of too much stress. Before the town got sick, the town experienced cold winters, hot summers, and people struggled to find food. They also became sick with leprosy, the plague, and syphilis. These things were thought to be a punishment from God and the saints, making people stress about religion.
People are more likely to get sick with MPI if they believe in bad spirits. The town of Strasbourg was very religious and had experienced similar cases of the sickness in the past. These beliefs made the town more vulnerable to MPI and many people who were scared of bad spirits became sick. But after having a religious ceremony to make the saints happy again, the sick were able to stop dancing.
Which of the following pieces of evidence from the passage best supports the claim that the residents of Strasbourg experienced stress?
Select one answer
A
"They also became sick with leprosy, the plague, and syphilis."

B
"These things were thought to be a punishment from God and the saints, making people stress about religion."

C
"The town of Strasbourg was very religious and had experienced similar cases of the sickness in the past."

D
"Before the town got sick, the town experienced cold winters, hot summers, and people struggled to find food."

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Answer 1

D

The statement about cold winters, hot summers, and food shortages gives concrete hardships that would cause stress, directly supporting the claim.