Question

The Exxon Valdez oil spill is one of the worst oil spills to ever happen. On March 24, 1989, an oil ship crashed in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It hit the Bligh Island Reef. More than 10.8 million gallons of oil poured into the ocean. This is about 250,000 barrels.
Investigators found several causes for the accident. The ship’s equipment needed to be repaired. The monitor that could have warned the sailors they were about to crash into the reef was broken. In fact, it had been broken for over a year. In addition, the sailor who was driving the ship did not have enough rest. The Exxon oil company was blamed for not properly supervising or providing enough rest for the crew.
More than 1,300 miles of coastline were covered by oil from the spill. Even worse, 11,000 square miles of ocean were also affected. Between 100,000 and 250,000 seabirds, more than 2,800 sea otters, 247 bald eagles, and 22 orca whales died immediately. Billions of fish eggs were also destroyed. Some scientists say that 20 years later, Prince William Sound is still feeling the effects of the oil spill.
6
Essays and news stories are often organized by cause and effect. According to this passage, which of these contributed to the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
A.
oil-covered coastlines
B.
a broken monitor
C.
pollution in the water
D.
destroyed fish eggs

Answer 1

B. a broken monitor

The passage states the ship’s monitor that could have warned sailors was broken (and had been for over a year), which contributed to the accident.