Question

select the correct answer.
read paragraphs 4 and 5 from the passage.
4 by the mid-19th century, mormon immigrants had made their way across the colorado river. legend has it that these pioneers named the tree after the biblical figure, joshua, seeing the limbs of the tree as outstretched in supplication, guiding the travelers westward. however, this tale is not substantiated in the historical record. some evidence suggests that the biblical figure joshua, and the joshua trees, represented the mormon conquest of the desert. instead of the branches resembling outstretched arms in prayer, perhaps the trees sharp, blade - like leaves brought to mind the arrayed forces of joshuas army.
5 concurrent with mormon settlers, ranchers and miners arrived in the high desert with high hopes of raising cattle and digging for gold. these homesteaders used the joshua trees limbs and trunks for fencing and corrals. miners found a source of fuel for the steam engines used in processing ore.
which sentence best states the central idea that is shaped by the underlined details?
a. immigrants to the high desert used the blade - like leaves of the joshua tree to protect their settlements.
b. the joshua tree symbolizes the determination of settlers and homesteaders in the high desert.
c. the joshua tree is adapted to survive in the high desert environment, but people are not.
d. there are stories about how the joshua tree was named, but they are not substantiated by specific evidence.

Explanation:

• Paragraph 4 discusses the naming of the Joshua tree by Mormon immigrants and how it might represent their conquest of the desert. Paragraph 5 talks about how homesteaders (including ranchers and miners) used different parts of the Joshua tree (limbs, trunks as fencing and fuel).
• Option A: The text does not mention using blade - like leaves for protecting settlements. The leaves are mentioned in the context of a possible symbolic connection to Joshua's army, not for protection of settlements.
• Option B: The Mormons named the tree (possibly symbolizing their conquest - a form of determination) and homesteaders (ranchers, miners) used the tree for practical purposes (fencing, fuel) which also shows their determination to make a life in the high desert. This option ties together the main ideas from both paragraphs related to the tree and the people.
• Option C: The text does not compare the adaptability of the tree and people in terms of survival in the high - desert environment.
• Option D: While there is a mention of an unsubstantiated legend about the naming of the tree in paragraph 4, paragraph 5 is about the practical use of the tree by homesteaders. So this option only focuses on part of the text.

Answer:

B. The Joshua tree symbolizes the determination of settlers and homesteaders in the high desert.