The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is Check her warning lights.
The narrative states that Morgan “didn’t know that her gas tank was empty until it was too late.” This detail is the key to identifying her mistake. Modern vehicles are equipped with an instrument panel, or dashboard, that provides the driver with critical information about the car’s status. One of the most prominent features on this panel is the fuel gauge, which shows the current level of gasoline in the tank.
In addition to the gauge, nearly all cars have a low fuel warning light. This light, often an icon of a gas pump, illuminates on the dashboard when the fuel level drops to a certain reserve point, typically with enough gas remaining for 30 to 50 miles of driving. This system is specifically designed to prevent a driver from unexpectedly running out of fuel.
The fact that Morgan was surprised by her empty tank indicates a failure to observe her dashboard. Had she checked her warning lights or glanced at her fuel gauge while driving the day before, she would have been alerted to the low fuel situation. The warning light would have served as a clear, unmistakable signal that she needed to refuel soon.
The other options are incorrect because they address different aspects of car maintenance not relevant to this specific problem. Checking for damage, tire pressure, or oil level are all important safety and maintenance practices, but they would not have informed Morgan about the amount of gasoline in her tank. Her predicament was caused by a lack of fuel, a problem that could have been easily avoided by paying attention to the vehicle’s primary communication system: its dashboard warning lights and gauges.
