Question

1. by diverse (line 14) places, the author probably means

places that differ a great deal from each other
places that at a great distance from his home state of missouri
places that are at a distance but little to offer
places that have little to offer

Explanation:

The word "diverse" means varied or different. So "diverse places" likely refers to places that differ a great deal from each other.

Answer:

places that differ a great deal from each other