In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Mount Vesuvius is (1)________ near Pompeii. It began to erupt and covered everything with stones and hot ash which fell like (2)________ from the sky. It (3)______ the city almost under 2 metres of volcanic molten material.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. located, a blizzard, buried.
(1) Located is the most suitable word to describe the position of Mount Vesuvius in relation to Pompeii. 'Situated' (in option 3) could also be correct, but 'located' fits more naturally in this context.
(2) A blizzard is the best word choice to describe the intensity and falling nature of the hot ash from the eruption. A blizzard refers to a violent snowstorm, but in this context, it conveys the image of something falling rapidly from the sky. 'Hail' (option 4) refers to ice and doesn't fit as well.
(3) Buried is the correct verb to describe how the eruption completely covered the city in volcanic material. 'Hid' (option 2) is a possible option but doesn't convey the full sense of being overwhelmed or hidden under debris, which 'buried' does.