Question

identifying the central idea
armed with invisible ink, a cipher system, and a passion to end the war and preserve the union, elizabeth van lew became butlers eyes and ears in the confederate capital city. truth be told, however, she became much more than that. she became a spymaster, the person responsible for running a network of agents, couriers, and safe houses that was very active during the war. in addition to the spying, elizabeth van lew continued to maintain her church hill home as a safe house and something of a local union spy headquarters.
—the dark game,
paul janeczko
what is the central idea of this passage?
van lews home was used as a safe house, which was critical to the confederacy.
van lew had a passion to end the war and preserve the union.
van lew was a spymaster, a leading force in the espionage activities for the union.
van lew did not enjoy working for general butler.

Explanation:

The passage emphasizes Van Lew as a spymaster and her key - role in Union espionage activities. It mentions her tools (invisible ink, cipher system), her passion for the Union cause, and her work in running a spy network. The first option is incorrect as her home was for the Union, not the Confederacy. The second option only focuses on her passion and not her role as a spymaster. The fourth option is not supported by the text.

Answer:

Van Lew was a spymaster, a leading force in the espionage activities for the Union.