[General] 'Severe winds could completely destroy the tower' (likely)

[barnej0096]

'Severe winds could completely destroy the tower' (likely)
'Severe winds.... to tatters'
Severe winds were likely to reduce the tower to tatters. Is it correct?

 

[Grumpy]

I don't understand how the first two lines are linked together. You will have to give some more context.

 

[Raymott]

I don't understand how the first two lines are linked together. You will have to give some more context.

I assume the exercise is to rewrite the sentence using the word in brackets.

To OP: "are likely" fits better. Your answer is probably the one expected, but just because something could happen doesn't make it likely.