Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

The incident took place on Sunday，the 25th Of June．On that particular day，a south wind had been gusting on and off all morning．It was not strong enough to cause us any concern，so we carried on our daily work not suspecting what was about to happen．
The storm gavels very little warnning．Black clouds loomed over the distant horizon so suddenly that we were taken by surprise．Even then，we were not really worried，as the clouds seemed to be moving over our house and towards the distant moountains．Then，just as the clouds had moved inland，the wind suddenly swung around in a full circle and we were facing a major storm．
Instantly，we were busily preaparing for the worst． The whole family had experienced such a storm before and everyone remembered the damage it had caused to stock and crops．There was very little we could do about tbe corps. But we needed to protect the animals in case the river flooded again．My older brother called his sheep-dog and began driving our small flock of sheep to higher ground above river．If the river flooded，they should be safe there．
In the meantime，my father was mending a shed roof that had partly fallen down after many years of fine service．If the tin flew off，it could damage the house． My younger brother began hurriedly carrying firewood under the shelter．My job was to help Mum board up the windows．If the storm developde into a cyclone，the boards would protect the glass.
Thc storm raged for four hours，pouring more rain on us than we had seen in the last five years． As expected, the river borke its banks and came slowly up towards the house and the stock． �
Then，jnst as we were beginning to lose hope，the storm stopped as suddenly as it had begun．The animals were safe，and the roof was still nailed on． �All�s well that ends well,"Said my mother.

It can be inferred from what the mother said that���
A．they had no damage at all B．everything went beyond their expectation
C. everything was under control D．the family could have suffered a greater loss

which one is suitable? Why? Is answer B acceptable?

Thanks

[pugachevV]

A. With a storm of that magnitude and the accompanying flooding, there was probably some damage, so A. is probably not likely.
B. Is ambiguous. It could mean it turned out better than expected, but it could also mean it turned out worse than expected. Probably this is the answer the teacher is looking for, but it is carelessly worded.
C. You cannot control such a force of nature.
D. The family could have suffered a greater loss. Implies that they suffered some loss, but it could have been much worse.

Of your examples as written, this (D.) is the most likely thing to have happened. The family survived uninjured, and damage was slight. In these circumstances, "All's well that ends well," would be an appropriate comment.

[jasonlulu_2000]

Thanks for your detailed explanation.

[pugachevV]

My pleasure, jasonlulu.