Question

read the following text from a nonfiction book. this excerpt is about mexico’s tepanec empire in the early 1400s. itzcoatl’s greatest military feat came early in his reign: the toppling of the powerful tepanec empire centered at azcapotzalco. the tepanecs were already in a state of turmoil toward the end of chimalpopoca’s rule, with the death of tezozomoc and the ensuing battle of succession by his sons. itzcoatl aggressively allied himself with the struggling ruler - in - exile of the acolhua, nezahualcoyotl, and together they vanquished the tepanec forces. but becoming the new lords of the valley was a feat yet to be established, and itzcoatl spent the remainder of his days (until his death in 1440) conquering dissident towns and consolidating mexica power in and around the valley of mexico. from frances f. berdan and patricia rieff anawalt, the codex mendoza. copyright 1992 by the regents of the university of california. based on this excerpt, what can you conclude about mexico’s tepanec empire in the early 1400s? the tepanec empire was falling apart. the tepanec empire was conquering different towns. the tepanec empire merged with itzcoatl’s forces.

Explanation:

The text says the Tepanec empire was "in a state of turmoil toward the end of Chimalpopoca’s rule, with the death of Tezozomoc and the ensuing battle of succession by his sons" and then Itzcoatl allied to vanquish Tepanec forces, showing internal conflicts and weakening. The first option "The Tepanec empire was falling apart" matches this turmoil and succession issues leading to its decline. The second option is incorrect as the text shows the empire was being conquered, not conquering. The third option is incorrect as Itzcoatl vanquished Tepanec forces, not merged with them.

Answer:

A. The Tepanec empire was falling apart.