Historians credit repeated locust invasions in the nineteenth century with reshaping United States agriculture west of the Missi

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问题 Historians credit repeated locust invasions in the nineteenth century with reshaping United States agriculture west of the Mississippi River. Admonished by government entomologists, farmers began to diversify. Wheat had come to nearly monopolize the
line region, but it was particularly vulnerable to the locusts. In 1873, just before the locusts’
5 most withering offensive, nearly two-thirds of Minnesota farmland was producing wheat; by the invasions’ last year, that fraction had dropped to less than one-sixth. Farmers learned that peas and beans were far less vulnerable to the insects, and corn was a more robust grain than wheat. In addition to planting alternative crops, many farmers turned to dairy and beef production. Although pastures were often damaged
10 by the locusts, these lands were almost always left in better shape than the crops were.
Description
The passage explains how the damage caused by repeated invasions of locusts in the nineteenth century caused farmers west of the Mississippi River to diversify. Since wheat, the dominant crop in the region, was especially susceptible to damage from locusts, it made sense for farmers to lower their wheat production and raise their production of other crops and animals less vulnerable to locust invasions.
According to the passage, before the recommendations by the government entomologists, which of the following was true about farming west of the Mississippi River?

选项 A、Farmers focused primarily on growing wheat.
B、Peas and beans had not yet been planted in the region.
C、A relatively small portion of farmland was devoted to crops other than wheat.

答案A,C

解析 Choices A and C are correct.
Choice A is correct: according to the passage, "wheat had come to nearly monopolize the region" prior to the recommendations of government entomologists.
Choice B is incorrect: although wheat was the dominant crop, there is no indication that peas and beans had not been planted in the region prior to the admonishments of government entomologists.
Choice C is correct: given that wheat was the dominant crop, only a relatively small portion of farmland could have been devoted to other crops.
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