Question

Read the following text from a nonfiction book. This excerpt is about Mexico's Tepanec empire in the early 1400s.
Itzcoatl's greatest military feat came early in his reign: the toppling of the powerful Tepanec empire centered at Azcapotzalco. The Tepanecs were already in a state of turmoil toward the end of Chimalpopoca's rule, with the death of Tezozomoc and the ensuing battle of succession by his sons. Itzcoatl aggressively allied himself with the struggling ruler-in-exile of the Acolhua, Nezahualcoyotl, and together they vanquished the Tepanec forces. But becoming the new lords of the valley was a feat yet to be established, and Itzcoatl spent the remainder of his days (until his death in 1440) conquering dissident towns and consolidating Mexica power in and around the Valley of Mexico.
Based on this excerpt, what can you conclude about Mexico's Tepanec empire in the early 1400s?
A. The Tepanec empire allied itself with the ruler of Acolhua.
B. The Tepanec empire was conquering different towns.
C. The Tepanec empire was falling apart.

Answer 1

C. The passage says the Tepanecs "were already in a state of turmoil" after Tezozomoc's death and were ultimately vanquished by an alliance of Itzcoatl and Nezahualcoyotl, indicating the empire was collapsing. Options A and B are not supported: the Acolhua ruler allied with Itzcoatl (against the Tepanecs), and the text describes Mexica, not the Tepanecs, conquering dissident towns.