Question

carvers creative crops
cotton was once the main cash crop of the southern united states, its cultivation and sale providing a reliable income for farmers. in the early 1900s, however, the south suffered a widespread infestation of boll weevils (beetles that feed on cotton), which annihilated cotton crops. many farmers were plunged into poverty, no longer able to eke out a living from cotton. george washington carver, an agriculture professor at alabamas tuskegee institute, addressed this situation by promoting crop diversification. he particularly advocated the cultivation of peanuts as a cash crop because they were easy to grow and had properties that helped replenish the cotton-depleted soil. as part of his campaign, carver developed many unexpected peanut-based recipes, such as peanut carrot fudge and peanut soup. his innovations went well beyond the culinary, however: carver also developed peanut-based soap, face powder, axle grease, printers ink, and numerous other products. peanut cultivation in the south increased rapidly, and the economy improved.
what is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
the boll weevil invasion revealed the souths risky overreliance on cotton as a cash crop.
george washington carver helped farmers diversify from cotton farming by promoting the cultivation of peanuts.
george washington carver, a professor of agriculture, promoted the cultivation of peanuts as a cash crop.

Explanation:

The passage first sets up the problem of the South's cotton crop failure due to boll weevils, then focuses on George Washington Carver's solution: promoting peanut cultivation as part of crop diversification, along with his related innovations that helped revitalize the economy. The first option only covers the problem, not the main solution focus. The third option is too narrow, as it does not mention the context of diversifying from cotton to address the crisis. The second option encompasses the problem, Carver's action, and the core purpose of his work.

Answer:

George Washington Carver helped farmers diversify from cotton farming by promoting the cultivation of peanuts.