Question

When the Daily Mail offered a prize in 1913, for flying across the Atlantic _____.

• A. there were few aeroplanes that could stay in the air for more than 72 hours.
• B. many enthusiastic amateurs were eager to try.
• C. the majority of scientists thought it could be done.
• D. almost no one believed it was possible to do this within the next ten years.
• E. the general public were very interested in the scheme.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

almost no one believed it was possible to do this within the next ten years.

Supporting Statement: A very few enthusiasts thought it might be possible ten years later.

So, it can be concluded hardly anybody, except for a few enthusiasts, believed that an individual could fly an aeroplane across the Atlantic in less than 72 hours. Hence, option D is correct and the other options are not because they do not provide appropriate information.