Neco 2019 Christian Religious Studies Question 7

The ten plagues that God sent on Egypt are listed below with a brief note on their impact. Identify which plague best satisfies the following two criteria: (i) it was the first plague that directly damaged the Egyptian economy, and (ii) it forced Pharaoh to seriously consider releasing the Israelites. Plagues: 1) Water turned to blood - rivers and irrigation halted; 2) Frogs - swarmed fields and homes; 3) Lice - infested people and animals; 4) Flies - covered the land; 5) Pestilence on livestock - many animals died; 6) Boils - afflicted people; 7) Hail - destroyed crops and livestock; 8) Locusts - ate remaining vegetation; 9) Darkness - covered the land; 10) Death of the firstborn - killed heirs. Which plague meets both criteria and why?