Directions: Read the passage, and answer the question that follows. Write a summary of the passage. Remember, a summary should be much shorter than the passage. Try to write between 2-3 sentences.

Answer:

The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871, and quickly destroyed a large part of the city, killing about 300 people and leaving nearly 100,000 homeless. Although legend says a cow in the O’Leary barn started the fire by kicking over a lantern, the true cause was never proven.