Question

which statement provides the most compelling evidence for the argument that the explosion was internal?

• “it was a bursting, rending, and crashing sound or roar of immense volume, largely metallic in character.”
• “the most likely source was heat from a fire in the coal bunker adjacent to the 6-inch reserve magazine.”
• “there was the sound of many voices from the shore, suggestive of cheers.”
• “this study does not settle the issue once and for all, but rather moves the century-old debate to a new level of scientific detail.”

Explanation:

To determine the most compelling evidence for the explosion being internal, we analyze each option:

• The first option describes the sound of the explosion but doesn't indicate its source (internal or external).
• The second option identifies a likely internal source (heat from a fire in the coal bunker adjacent to the 6 - inch reserve magazine), which directly supports the argument that the explosion was internal.
• The third option is about voices from the shore (cheers), which is irrelevant to the explosion's source.
• The fourth option is about the study's impact on the debate, not evidence for the explosion's source.

Answer:

"The most likely source was heat from a fire in the coal bunker adjacent to the 6 - inch reserve magazine."