Question

read the passage
in the 1500s, the spanish arrived in the land that is now called mexico. the aztec people who lived in this area introduced them to a new kind of round, flat bread. the spanish called these cakes tortillas, meaning \little cakes.\ the tortillas were made of corn, but they didnt look like they were. that is because the aztecs had developed a special way of preparing the corns hard grains. first, they cooked and soaked the grains overnight in water mixed with cooking fire ashes. then, they rinsed the grains and ground them into flour between two stones. grinding the corn allowed the aztecs to change it into something new.
based on clues in the passage, what is the most likely reason that the aztecs soaked the grains overnight?
it helped to make the grains cleaner.
it changed the grains into a tasty drink.
it made the grains easier to grind.
it allowed the grains to keep growing.

Explanation:

The passage states the Aztecs had a special method for preparing hard corn grains: soaking them overnight, then rinsing and grinding. Soaking hard grains softens them, which makes the subsequent grinding step easier. The other options are not supported: rinsing (not soaking) would clean them, soaking doesn't make a drink, and soaking doesn't support growth here.

Answer:

It made the grains easier to grind.