Question

That was only the beginning of disaster: Now the real tragedy began. Nitric oxides rained from the air, turning the sea to acid. Clouds of soot from incinerated forests darkened the sky, hiding the sun for months. Worldwide, the temperature dropped precipitously, killing off most of the plants and animals that had survived the initial cataclysm. Which option is the accurate synonym for cataclysm as it is used in the excerpt
A. misfortune
B. fiasco
C. devastation
D. explosion

Answer 1

Answer: C. Devastation

Explanation:

Cataclysm refers to an event which brings about a great change or harm. It is an event that leads to destruction or a violent change. Its synonyms include cdisaster, collapse, destruction, devastation, catastrophe, etc.

The accurate synonym for cataclysm as it is used in the excerpt is devastation. It implies that the animals that had survived the initial devastation were eventually killed.