The Great Fire - Introduction & Chapter 1 - A City Ready to Burn

1. When did the Chicago Fire take place?
a) October 8, 1871
b) October 8, 1971
c) October 8, 1671
d) October 8, 1571

2. The fire burned for _____ hours
a) 3
b) 11
c) 31
d) 5

3. _______ first saw the fire in the O'Learys' barn.
a) Patrick O'Leary
b) Daniel "Peg Leg" Sullivan
c) Thomas White
d) Dennis Rogan

4. Why was it said that Chicago was a city ready to burn?
a) Barns full of hay were common.
b) The people of Chicago stored firewood and coal in their homes.
c) Two-thirds of the structures in the city, roads and sidewalks were made of wood.

5. Fires were commonplace in 1871. What made the night of October 8th different?
a) A steady wind was blowing.
b) It had rained all day and the fire trucks could not get through the muddy streets to the fire.
c) The firefighters were having a party and were not available to put out the fire.



----------Key----------

1. (a)
2. (c)
3. (b)
4. (c)
5. (a)