Question

read the following passage, then answer the question.
john rockefeller might get his oil cheaper now and then, they said, but he could not do it often. he might make close contracts for which they had neither the patience nor the stomach. he might have an unusual mechanical and practical genius in his partner. but these things could not explain all. they believed they bought, on the whole, almost as cheaply as he, and they knew they made as good oil and with as
what is the main idea of the argument presented in the text?
standard oil made higher profits than its competitors because it was able to buy oil for less.
standard oil made higher profits because it received better shipping rates from railroad companies
standard oil made the same profits as competing companies

Explanation:

The passage discusses John Rockefeller's ability to get oil cheaper, and how Standard Oil made as good oil as others but almost as cheaply. This implies that Standard Oil made the same profits as competing companies.

Answer:

Standard Oil made the same profits as competing companies.