Question

read the passage. then, select the text that best helps you understand the meaning of scarce. in 1861, clara barton had an office job in washington, d.c. when the civil war started, soldiers poured into the city. barton saw that many of them were wounded and hungry. bandages, medicine, and food were scarce, but barton searched the whole city to find what the soldiers needed. she visited the soldiers, read to them, and wrote letters for those who couldnt write. she even went out during battles to assist doctors caring for the wounded. after the war, in 1881, clara barton helped establish the american red cross. today the red cross helps thousands of people after serious events such as fires and floods. what is the meaning of scarce as used in the passage? very cheap small in number not allowed found everywhere

Explanation:

The passage states that Barton searched the whole city to find what the soldiers needed, implying bandages, medicine, and food were not abundant. "Scarce" means in short supply or small in number.

Answer:

small in number