Question

What is known about the living conditions of the earliest English settlers?

A. They had outdoor areas for cooking.
B. They lived in homes that had large fireplaces.
C. The men and women lived in separate houses.
D. Their homes were meant to accommodate multiple families.

Answer 1

The earliest English settlers in New England adapted their old-world building traditions to local conditions, resulting in homes with steep roofs, large chimneys, and spacious rooms that accommodated multifunctional family activities, especially during winters. The correct answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The living conditions of the earliest English settlers were often challenging and required adaptability to the harsh New England environment. The English settlers brought over folk traditions from England for building their houses, but they had to adapt these to local materials and the colder climate. This resulted in homes with features such as steeply pitched roofs, massive central chimneys, and extra-large rooms for multifunctional use by families, particularly during long, cold winters. As resources in cities became scarce, families, and sometimes boarders, would share the limited space available, which included common areas for cooking, eating, working, and socializing.