Question

the main factor stalling progress was the fact that no one knew how to create such a massive cupola without large, cumbersome support systems.
in 1418, tired of the gaping hole above the altar, florentine priests solicited the general public for solutions to the dome problem. a number of leading architects submitted ideas, but the chosen design came from a goldsmith named filippo brunelleschi. he suggested building not one but two domes, bound together with rings of metal to counteract outward pressure. the now - famous dome was ultimately completed in 1436. today it remains one of the most impressive structures in the world.
what is the meaning of cupola as used in the passage?
roof
dome
cathedral
decoration

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "cupola", we analyze the passage. The text mentions "the dome problem" and that Brunelleschi suggested building domes to solve the issue related to the "cupola". The context shows that "cupola" is related to the dome - like structure being built (since the problem was about creating the massive cupola and the solution involved domes). "Roof" is too general, "cathedral" is the whole building, and "decoration" doesn't fit the structural context. So "dome" is the correct meaning.

Answer:

B. dome