Which word does the participle modify?

startling rumors spread throughout the town after the power outage.

a.
spread

b.
rumors

c.
town

d.
outage

Read this excerpt from loom and spindle. one of the first strikes of cotton-factory operatives that ever took place in this country was that in lowell, in october, 1836. when it was announced that the wages were to be cut down, great indignation was felt, and it was decided to strike, en masse. this was done. the mills were shut down, and the girls went in procession from their several corporations to the "grove" on chapel hill, and listened to "incendiary" speeches from early labor reformers. what can be inferred about the time period of the excerpt? check all that apply. a. factory workers felt frustrated by the lowering of their wages. b. workers were willing to show their displeasure through strikes. c. early efforts at strikes became chaotic and violent. d. the lowell girls were forbidden to voice objections. e. the lowell strike was followed by other labor strikes.