Question

Which theory best describes the spread of maize as a staple crop through

the Native American populations?

(A) Maize was fi rst developed upon the Siberian Steppes and carried to

the Americas via the land bridge.

(B) Maize was developed in South America and slowly spread throughout

the rest of the Americas via pre-Columbian trade routes.

(C) Maize was developed by the nomadic tribes of North America but

was fi rst grown intensively as a staple crop by Native American

groups in Central and South America.

(D) The cultivation of maize occurred separately in isolated pockets

throughout the two continents.

(E) Maize was fi rst developed in the region that is now Mexico and

spread through the Americas in a slow and uneven process.

Answer 1

The theory that best describes the spread of maize as a staple crop through
the Native American populations would be that "(B) Maize was developed in South America and slowly spread throughout the rest of the Americas via pre-Columbian trade routes," since this crop was already being utilized to a great extent before Columbus reached the New World.