You will have 5 minutes to read and study the following passage. The passage will then be removed, and after a delay, you will be asked questions about it. You may not take any notes.
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**Passage:**
On Tuesday, March 18, 2026, at approximately 2:45 PM, a fire alarm was activated on the third floor of the Albany County Courthouse, located at 16 Eagle Street. Court Officer Miller and his partner, Court Officer Chen, were stationed near Courtroom 3B when the alarm sounded. Following protocol, they immediately began directing staff and visitors towards the west-wing stairwell. Officer Miller, a 12-year veteran with a noticeable limp from a previous injury, calmly instructed a group of four lawyers to leave their briefcases. Meanwhile, Officer Chen assisted an elderly man, Mr. Henderson, who had dropped his wooden cane. The alarm was determined to be a false alarm triggered by dust from a nearby construction crew working on the HVAC system. The 'all-clear' was given at 3:05 PM by Sergeant Rodriguez. A total of three officers responded to the third floor initially.
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According to the passage, what was the direct cause of the false alarm?
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A
A faulty smoke detector
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B
Dust from a construction crew
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C
An overheated HVAC unit
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D
Someone pulling the alarm manually