Question

e excerpt from \george washington.\

ized early that the best strategy was to harass ish. he reported to congress, \we should on all ons avoid a general action, or put anything to the , unless compelled by a necessity, into which we never to be drawn.\ ensuing battles saw him fall slowly, then strike unexpectedly. finally in 1781 the aid of french allies-he forced the surrender of wallis at yorktown.

which detail is most relevant to the central idea in this excerpt?

washington gave reports to congress in which he explained the reasons for his battle strategies.
washington was the commander of the continental army during the revolutionary war.
cornwallis was one of the commanders of the british army during the revolutionary war.
one washington battle strategy was to have his troops fall back slowly and then strike the british unexpectedly.

Explanation:

Identify the central idea of the excerpt

The excerpt describes George Washington's military strategy during the Revolutionary War. It states that his best strategy was to "harass [the British]" and "avoid a general action" unless absolutely necessary. It explains that he would "fall slowly, then strike unexpectedly," which ultimately led to forcing the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. Thus, the central idea focuses on Washington's specific, cautious, and tactical battle strategies that led to victory.

Evaluate the options against the central idea

• Option 1 mentions Washington reporting to Congress, which is a minor detail rather than a core reflection of his strategy.
• Option 2 is a general historical fact that is not the specific focus of this short excerpt.
• Option 3 mentions Cornwallis, which is a minor detail at the end of the passage.
• Option 4 directly describes Washington's specific battle strategy ("fall back slowly and then strike... unexpectedly"), which is the core focus and central idea of the entire text.

Answer:

• (A) Washington gave reports to Congress in which he explained the reasons for his battle strategies.
• (B) Washington was the commander of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.
• (C) Cornwallis was one of the commanders of the British army during the Revolutionary War.
• (D) One Washington battle strategy was to have his troops fall back slowly and then strike the British unexpectedly. (Correct answer)