Question

read the two texts.
text 1
the banjo is an instrument that comes from africa. evidence of the banjo being played in africa dates back to the early 1600s. back then, the instrument had a different name and a different look from the banjo we know today. the original banjo was made from materials such as dried gourds and goat skins.

text 2
in the 1940s, a young musician named earl scruggs developed a new way of playing the banjo. the technique used three fingers to quickly pick the instruments five strings. this created a different sound that led to a new style of music known as bluegrass. as a result, the banjo is a key instrument in bluegrass bands.

which sentence best combines the main, or central, ideas of both texts?
the musician earl scruggs created a new type of banjo using dried gourds and goat skins.
the banjo is an instrument that has african roots as well as connections to bluegrass music.

Explanation:

Text 1 focuses on the banjo's African origins, while Text 2 covers its key role in bluegrass music via Earl Scruggs' technique. The correct option must include both the African roots and bluegrass connection, which the second choice does. The first option incorrectly links Scruggs to creating a new banjo with traditional African materials, which is not stated in either text.

Answer:

The banjo is an instrument that has African roots as well as connections to bluegrass music.