The Great Fire By Jim Murphy! Novel Quiz

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  • 1/16 Questions

    The fire started where?

    • At the Tribune building
    • At Goll's Drug Store
    • At the barn of Patrick and Catherine O'Leary
    • At St. Paul's Church
    • On the prarie
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About This Quiz


Have you ever read “The Great Fire” by Jim Murphy? Would you be willing to try this quiz? With this quiz, you should be aware of where the fire started, as it was one of the worst disasters in American history, how many people were left homeless in Chicago, who first discovered the fire, and who used explosives to create a firebreak. You unequivocally need to take this noteworthy quiz.

The Great Fire By Jim Murphy! Novel Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    The miracle that ended the fire was ___.

    • The lightning stopped.

    • The wind changed direction.

    • The wind died down.

    • It began to rain.

    • The waterworks began working again.

    Correct Answer
    A. It began to rain.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "It began to rain." This suggests that the miracle that ended the fire was the rain starting. Rain can help extinguish fires by wetting the fuel source and reducing the intensity of the flames. Therefore, when it started to rain, it would have helped to put out the fire and bring it to an end.

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  • 3. 

    What was the weakness of "fireproof" buildings?

    • Wrought iron I beams

    • Brick wall partitions

    • Corrugated iron ceilings

    • Tar saturated wood on the roofs

    • Granite block exterior

    Correct Answer
    A. Tar saturated wood on the roofs
    Explanation
    The weakness of "fireproof" buildings was the presence of tar-saturated wood on the roofs. Tar-saturated wood is highly flammable and can easily catch fire, which negates the fireproofing measures taken in other parts of the building. This weakness could lead to the rapid spread of fire and the potential collapse of the entire structure.

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  • 4. 

    What were some of the groups blamed for the spread of the "great conflagration"?

    • Firefighters, poor, immigrants

    • Mayor, builders, business owners

    • Governor, police, wealthy homeowners

    • County supervisors, city workers, park officials

    Correct Answer
    A. Firefighters, poor, immigrants
    Explanation
    During the "great conflagration," which refers to a large and destructive fire, some groups were blamed for its spread. These groups include firefighters, poor individuals, and immigrants. It is likely that firefighters were blamed because they were unable to contain or extinguish the fire effectively. The poor and immigrants might have been blamed due to prejudices or stereotypes, suggesting that their living conditions or behavior contributed to the fire's spread.

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  • 5. 

    Who first discovered the fire?

    • Dennis Rogan

    • Thomas White

    • Catherine O'Leary

    • Patrick O'Leary

    • Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan

    Correct Answer
    A. Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan
    Explanation
    Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan is believed to be the first person to discover the fire. Although the question does not provide any additional information, historical records indicate that Sullivan was a watchman for the Chicago Fire Department in 1871. It is commonly believed that he was the first to notice the fire and sounded the alarm, which eventually led to the Great Chicago Fire.

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  • 6. 

    How many people were left homeless in Chicago?

    • Nearly 10,000

    • About 50,000

    • Nearly 100,000

    • Over 500,000

    • 1,000,000

    Correct Answer
    A. Nearly 100,000
    Explanation
    The correct answer is nearly 100,000. This suggests that a significant number of people in Chicago were left homeless, but not as many as the options of over 500,000 or 1,000,000. It is likely that a specific event or disaster caused this displacement, but without further context, it is difficult to determine the exact cause.

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  • 7. 

    Who was a twelve-year-old who was separated from their family during the fire?  They later found their father at the remains of their home.

    • Horace White

    • Julie Lemos

    • Claire Innes

    • Robert Mason

    • Catherine O'Leary

    Correct Answer
    A. Claire Innes
    Explanation
    Claire Innes was a twelve-year-old who was separated from her family during the fire. She later found her father at the remains of their home.

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  • 8. 

    What were some of the things that contributed to the early spread of the fire?

    • Mathias Schaffer thought the new fire was part of the fire from the night before.

    • Bruno Goll would not give the key to the alarm box.

    • Firefighters were exhausted from fighting a fire the previous night.

    • The wrong fire box signal was sent.

    • All of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the above
    Explanation
    All of the mentioned factors contributed to the early spread of the fire. Mathias Schaffer's belief that the new fire was connected to the previous one may have caused a delay in alerting the authorities and taking necessary actions. Bruno Goll's refusal to provide the key to the alarm box could have further delayed the activation of the alarm system. The exhaustion of the firefighters from battling the previous night's fire may have affected their response time and effectiveness in controlling the new fire. Additionally, the wrong fire box signal being sent could have caused confusion and delayed the arrival of additional firefighting resources.

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  • 9. 

    How was the debris from the fire dealt with?

    • It was dumped into Lake Michigan.

    • It was sent to the city dump in the south.

    • It was hauled away to the country.

    • It was burned in the center of the city.

    • It was sent to a recycling center.

    Correct Answer
    A. It was dumped into Lake Michigan.
    Explanation
    The correct answer states that the debris from the fire was dumped into Lake Michigan. This means that instead of being properly disposed of or recycled, the debris was irresponsibly discarded into the lake. This action can have negative consequences for the environment, as it can pollute the water and harm aquatic life.

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  • 10. 

    How did some people make money after the fire?

    • They took pictures of people after the fire.

    • They sold water after the fire.

    • They located loved ones after the fire.

    • They made crafts after the fire.

    • They sold souvenirs from the fire.

    Correct Answer
    A. They sold souvenirs from the fire.
    Explanation
    After the fire, some people were able to make money by selling souvenirs from the fire. This suggests that there was a demand for mementos related to the event, possibly as a way for people to remember or commemorate the incident. Selling souvenirs allowed these individuals to capitalize on this demand and earn money in the process.

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  • 11. 

    Officials estimated that __ people died in the fire.

    • 30

    • 300

    • 3,000

    • 30,000

    Correct Answer
    A. 300
    Explanation
    Officials estimated that 300 people died in the fire.

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  • 12. 

    In July 1874 the city of Chicago outlawed ___.

    • Barns in the city

    • Buildings of three or more stories

    • Decorative wood on buildings

    • Wooden sidewalks

    Correct Answer
    A. Decorative wood on buildings
    Explanation
    In July 1874, the city of Chicago outlawed decorative wood on buildings. This means that it became illegal to use decorative wood as an architectural feature on buildings in the city. The reason behind this decision could be related to safety concerns, as decorative wood may have been considered a fire hazard. Additionally, it could have been a measure to modernize the city's architecture and promote more durable and fire-resistant building materials.

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  • 13. 

    Who used explosives to create a firebreak?

    • Bruno Goll

    • Joseph Chamberlin

    • James Hildreth

    • Alexander Frear

    • William Lee

    Correct Answer
    A. James Hildreth
    Explanation
    James Hildreth used explosives to create a firebreak.

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  • 14. 

    The Chicago School evolved after the fire. What was it referring to? 

    • Water treatment

    • Fire fighting methods

    • Architecture

    • New education practices

    Correct Answer
    A. Architecture
    Explanation
    After the fire in Chicago, the city had to be rebuilt, leading to the emergence of the Chicago School of architecture. This architectural movement emphasized the use of steel-frame construction, allowing for taller and more innovative buildings. The Chicago School is known for its influential role in the development of modern architecture, with its focus on functionalism, simplicity, and the integration of new materials and technologies.

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  • 15. 

    Where did another devastating fire begin on that same day?

    • PIttsburgh, Pennsylvania

    • Topeka, Kansas

    • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    • Peshtigo, Wisconsin

    • Springfield, Illinois

    Correct Answer
    A. Peshtigo, Wisconsin
    Explanation
    On the same day, another devastating fire began in Peshtigo, Wisconsin.

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  • 16. 

    After the fire, William Kerfoot painted a sign that said ___ on his quickly built real estate office.

    • Water here--smokey, but good.

    • Fire relics for sale.

    • Chicago lives on.

    • Buy your house here.

    • All gone but wife, children, and energy.

    Correct Answer
    A. All gone but wife, children, and energy.
    Explanation
    The correct answer, "All gone but wife, children, and energy," is the most appropriate choice because it reflects the aftermath of the fire and the resilience of William Kerfoot. Despite losing everything in the fire, he still has his family and the determination to rebuild. The other options either focus on the fire itself (Water here--smokey, but good) or on the business opportunities after the fire (Fire relics for sale, Chicago lives on, Buy your house here).

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  • Current Version
  • Sep 02, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 10, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Tinapernsteiner
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