Final answer:
The Great Famine of Ethiopia in the 1980s lasted several years, caused over one million deaths, and was due to a combination of drought, war, and governmental policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The duration of The Great Famine that struck Ethiopia in the 1980s lasted several years. This tragic period was characterized by drought, war, and ineffective governmental policies, culminating in one of the most severe humanitarian crises of the modern era. Despite the sizeable international aid response, including efforts such as Live Aid, Band Aid, and USA for Africa, the famine resulted in the deaths of more than one million people.
Although specific dates are not provided in the information given, the famine occurred over an extended period during the 1980s, predominantly in the mid-1980s. Considering the long-term effects of the crisis, it would be accurate to suggest that the famine had a lasting impact beyond a year, pointing to either option 2) 2 years, 3) 3 years, or 4) 4 years from the student's question choices.
As per the reference text, the cause of this famine was not solely natural disasters but also included complex factors like land tenure crisis, poverty, and political issues. The sequence of events happening in Ethiopia at the time provides context for the prolonged nature of this catastrophe.