Question

text 1
today the starchy root cassava is found in many dishes across west africa, but its rise to popularity was slow. portuguese traders brought cassava from brazil to the west african coast in the 1500s. but at this time, people living in the capitals further inland had little contact with coastal communities. thus, cassava remained relatively unknown to most of the region’s inhabitants until the 1800s.

text 2
cassava’s slow adoption into the diet of west africans is mainly due to the nature of the crop itself. if not cooked properly, cassava can be toxic. knowledge of how to properly prepare cassava needed to spread before the food could grow in popularity. the arrival of formerly enslaved people from brazil in the 1800s, who brought their knowledge of cassava and its preparation with them, thus directly fueled the spread of this crop.

based on the texts, the author of text 1 and the author of text 2 would most likely agree with which statement?

choose 1 answer:
a the climate of the west african coast in the 1500s prevented cassava’s spread in the region.

b several of the most commonly grown crops in west africa are originally from brazil.

c the most commonly used methods to cook cassava today date to the 1500s.

d cassava did not become a significant crop in west africa until long after it was first introduced.

Explanation:

• For option A: Text 1 and Text 2 do not mention climate affecting cassava's spread, so A is incorrect.
• For option B: The texts only discuss cassava from Brazil, not other crops, so B is incorrect.
• For option C: Text 2 says knowledge of proper preparation spread in the 1800s, not that 1500s methods are common today, so C is incorrect.
• For option D: Text 1 states cassava was brought in the 1500s but unknown until the 1800s, and Text 2 explains its slow adoption. Both support that cassava became significant long after introduction.

Answer:

D. Cassava did not become a significant crop in West Africa until long after it was first introduced.