Question

“In 1860, after a tenement fire took 20 lives, New York City's building laws were extensively revised and strengthened. At that time, the position of "Superintendent of Buildings" was created within the Fire Department to enforce the new structural safety laws. An independent "Buildings Department" in Manhattan was later founded in 1892.” —City of New York Buildings Department Use the passage to answer the question. Which of the following was a major factor contributing to the problem addressed in the quotation? a. the sudden increase in property crimes b. the problem of sanitation in cities c. the mass crowding of city and tenement buildings d. the problem of monitoring pollution from urban tenements

Answer 1

c. the mass crowding of city and tenement buildings

Explanation: The passage discusses a deadly tenement fire and subsequent strengthening of structural safety and building enforcement—measures aimed at dangers created by overcrowded, poorly built tenements rather than crimes, sanitation, or pollution monitoring.