Question 12

The passage implies that the true cause of the bridge collapse was short-sighted design.

The context of the extract suggests that the bridge's failure was due to a lack of foresight in its design, which may not have adequately accounted for the conditions it faced.

A) low-quality materials

This option is incorrect because the passage does not mention the materials used for constructing the bridge. The focus is more on the implications of design rather than the quality of materials as a factor for the collapse.

B) short-sighted design

This option is correct as the extract implies that the bridge's design failed to consider potential challenges, ultimately leading to its collapse. The phrase "Here once the embattled farmers stood" indicates that the bridge was intended for significant use, and inadequate design could lead to failure under stress.

C) substandard craftsmanship

While craftsmanship is important, the extract does not provide evidence that the construction was poorly executed. It hints more at the design aspect rather than the skills of those who built the bridge, making this option incorrect.

D) unexpectedly high winds

This option is not supported by the text as it does not mention environmental factors like wind. The implication is that the design was insufficient for the expected use, rather than an unforeseen natural occurrence leading to its collapse.

Conclusion

The implication of short-sighted design as the cause of the bridge collapse is strongly supported by the context of the extract. All other options fail to align with the text's focus on design as a critical factor, highlighting that foresight in engineering is essential to prevent such failures.