A is the answer I think it is
Answer:
The central idea in this excerpt is:
A. As a young man, Washington participated in land surveying and fought in the military.
Explanation:
The problem with the other options is that they focus on only one aspect at a time. However, the excerpt makes it clear from the beginning that there are two aspects to be considered when it comes to Washington's life as a young man. That is why it states, right from the get-go: "He pursued two intertwined interests: military arts and western expansion." This sentence, placed before the others, reveals the theme of the passage. Washington participated in military battles and helped with the expansion to the West. For that reason, letter A is the best option.
Answer:
3. to give background information to help the reader make sense of the story
