1. Which statement best explains why the United States is able to produce so much food.

a. The large mountain ranges provide ideal conditions for farming.

b. More than fifty percent of Americans are farmers.

c. The nation produces large quantities of oil and coal.

d. The nation has a wide variety of climates and technology.

I think the answer might be A: The large mountain ranges provide ideal conditions for farming.

Explanation:

the first phase of the government’s plan for settlement was building the transcontinental railroad. the railroad provided a way to bring settlers and manufactured goods west and ship their agricultural and mining produce east. the transcontinental railroad was an essential artery for rapid development of the frontier.

the second phase of the government’s plan was a liberal land distribution policy that made it possible for many people to homestead. with these two key elements—transportation and cheap land—the government rapidly achieved its goal of persuading people to move west, settle on farms, and push back the frontier.