Question

read the excerpt from \george washington.\

he pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion. at 16 he helped survey shenandoah lands for thomas, lord fairfax. commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1754, he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the french and indian war. the next year, as an aide to gen. edward braddock, he escaped injury although four bullets ripped his coat and two horses were shot from under him.

which is the central idea in this excerpt?

as a young man, washington participated in land surveying and fought in the military.
washington escaped injury even though four bullets tore his coat and two horses were shot from under him.
at the age of sixteen, washington helped survey shenandoah lands for thomas, lord fairfax.
washington was part of skirmishes that eventually became the french and indian war.

Explanation:

Analyze the main thesis of the excerpt

The excerpt begins with a clear topic sentence: "He pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion." The subsequent sentences provide specific supporting details for both of these interests:

• Western expansion: "At 16 he helped survey Shenandoah lands..."
• Military arts: "...he fought the first skirmishes of what grew into the French and Indian War" and served "as an aide to Gen. Edward Braddock."

Evaluate the answer choices

• Option 1: "As a young man, Washington participated in land surveying and fought in the military." This directly summarizes both "intertwined interests" (land surveying represents western expansion, and fighting represents military arts) introduced in the first sentence.
• Option 2: "Washington escaped injury even though four bullets tore his coat..." This is a supporting detail about his military experience, not the central idea of the entire passage.
• Option 3: "At the age of sixteen, Washington helped survey..." This is a supporting detail about his early surveying work, not the central idea.
• Option 4: "Washington was part of skirmishes..." This is a supporting detail about his military career, not the central idea.

Determine the correct option

Option 1 is the only choice that encompasses both central themes (surveying/expansion and military service) presented in the excerpt.

Answer:

• (A) As a young man, Washington participated in land surveying and fought in the military. (Correct answer)
• (B) Washington escaped injury even though four bullets tore his coat and two horses were shot from under him.
• (C) At the age of sixteen, Washington helped survey Shenandoah lands for Thomas, Lord Fairfax.
• (D) Washington was part of skirmishes that eventually became the French and Indian War.