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.

Explanation:

The context shows that soldiers were in need of bandages, medicine, and food, and Barton had to search the whole city to find them, indicating a lack or shortage. This implies that "scarce" means in short supply.

Answer:

The text "Bandages, medicine, and food were scarce, but Barton searched the whole city to find what the soldiers needed." best helps understand the meaning of "scarce".