Which statement describes the Exxon Valdez incident?

Which statement describes the Exxon Valdez incident?

• A. 1989 off the coast of Alaska; a small spill
• B. 1990 off the coast of Alaska; a moderate spill
• C. 1989 off the coast of Alaska; millions spilled
• D. 1990 near Alaska with minimal damage

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is size and timing: the Exxon Valdez disaster is defined by a very large oil spill that occurred in 1989 off the coast of Alaska. In March 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, releasing about 11 million gallons of crude oil into the environment. That magnitude—millions of gallons—and the specific year make the description accurate. The other statements misstate either the year or the scale, implying a small or moderate spill or minimal damage, which doesn’t fit the historical event.

The key idea here is size and timing: the Exxon Valdez disaster is defined by a very large oil spill that occurred in 1989 off the coast of Alaska. In March 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, releasing about 11 million gallons of crude oil into the environment. That magnitude—millions of gallons—and the specific year make the description accurate. The other statements misstate either the year or the scale, implying a small or moderate spill or minimal damage, which doesn’t fit the historical event.