Question

read the excerpt from \george washington.\

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

which is the central idea in this excerpt?

french allies helped the continental army, led by george washington, in their fight against the british.
as an army commander, washington reported on his battle strategies to congress.
washingtons battle strategies during the war led to the surrender of cornwallis in 1781.
washington was the leader of the continental army during the war against the british.

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt's focus

The excerpt describes George Washington's military approach during the Revolutionary War. It highlights his core strategy ("to harass the British" and "avoid a general action"), explains how he executed this strategy in subsequent battles ("fall back slowly, then strike unexpectedly"), and concludes with the ultimate outcome of these strategic decisions ("forced the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown"). This shows a direct connection between his strategic planning and his eventual victory, which relates to the concept of Textual Analysis.

Evaluate the answer choices

We need to find the statement that best captures the Central Idea of the entire passage:

• Option 1: "French allies helped the Continental army..." This is a supporting detail mentioned only at the end, not the main focus of the entire passage.
• Option 2: "As an army commander, Washington reported on his battle strategies to Congress." This is a minor detail supporting his strategic planning, not the central point.
• Option 3: "Washington's battle strategies during the war led to the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781." This option connects his overall strategy (harassing, avoiding general action, striking unexpectedly) directly to the final outcome described in the text (the surrender at Yorktown).
• Option 4: "Washington was the leader of the Continental army..." While true, this is a broad background fact rather than the specific central point developed in this short paragraph.

Determine the best fit

Option 3 is the most comprehensive summary because it synthesizes both the strategic methods described throughout the excerpt and the ultimate historical result achieved by those methods.

Answer:

• French allies helped the Continental army, led by George Washington, in their fight against the British.
• As an army commander, Washington reported on his battle strategies to Congress.
• Washington's battle strategies during the war led to the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781. (Correct answer)
• Washington was the leader of the Continental army during the war against the British.