Question

how did geographic features like the ohio and tennessee rivers, the cumberland gap, and the wilderness road contribute to the exploration and settling of new areas in tennessee and other states?

they helped settlers get past the appalachian mountains, which were a barrier.

they provided easy ways to travel, where weather, wild animals, and other dangers were not as bad as other paths.

they provided natural barriers from the threat of european invasion.

they provided more than one path, so that none of the paths were too crowded.

Explanation:

The Appalachian Mountains were a major physical barrier preventing westward settlement. The Cumberland Gap was a mountain pass that allowed passage through the Appalachians, while the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers and Wilderness Road provided viable routes for settlers to move past this barrier into Tennessee and beyond. The other options are incorrect: these routes still had weather/animal dangers, they did not act as barriers to European invasion, and crowding was not their primary contribution.

Answer:

They helped settlers get past the Appalachian Mountains, which were a barrier.