Even though formidable winters are the norm in the Dakotas, many people were unprepared for the ______ of the blizzard of 1888.
 
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】 句意:尽管可怕的冬季在达科他州司空见惯,但人们对1888年那场暴风雪的凶猛程度却始料不及。ferocity残暴,凶猛。inevitability必然性。probability可能性。mildness温暖,温和。