Question

read this passage from a british newspaper.
the french and indians, the number of each not known, had, as we found after, possessed the sides and brow of a hill, in a circular form, from the extreme of which some of them fired upon one of our advanced flank parties. this immediately struck a general panic; the men could not be persuaded to form regularly; in great confusion they fell back . . . . no order could be restored.
–the public advertiser
september 20, 1755
based on this passage, which statement is true?
○ the british panicked when they were shot at.
○ the french and indigenous peoples were very alarmed.
○ the british were on a hill in a circle.
○ the british fired and then panicked.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the passage: It states that French and Indigenous forces held a hill in a circular formation, fired on a British advanced party, which caused a general panic among the British, who fell back in confusion.
2. Evaluate each option:

• "The British panicked when they were shot at.": Matches the passage's description of the British panicking after being fired upon.
• "The French and Indigenous peoples were very alarmed.": No mention of alarm from these groups in the text.
• "The British were on a hill in a circle.": The passage says the French and Indigenous forces held the hill in a circular form, not the British.
• "The British fired and then panicked.": The text notes the French/Indigenous fired first, triggering the British panic; the British did not fire first.

Answer:

The British panicked when they were shot at.