To dye wool, Navajo (Diné) weaver Lillie Taylor uses plants and vegetables from Arizona, where she lives. For example, she...

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To dye wool, Navajo (Diné) weaver Lillie Taylor uses plants and vegetables from Arizona, where she lives. For example, she achieved the deep reds and browns featured in her 2003 rug In the Path of the Four Seasons by using Arizona dock roots, drying and grinding them before mixing the powder with water to create a dye bath. To intensify the appearance of certain colors, Taylor also sometimes mixes in clay obtained from nearby soil.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

Reds and browns are not commonly featured in most of Taylor's rugs.

Taylor draws on local resources in the approach she uses to dye wool.

Taylor finds it difficult to locate Arizona dock root in the desert.

In the Path of the Four Seasons is widely acclaimed for its many colors and innovative weaving techniques.

Solution

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Create Passage Analysis Table

Text from Passage	Analysis
To dye wool, Navajo (Diné) weaver Lillie Taylor uses plants and vegetables from Arizona, where she lives.	What it says: Taylor = Navajo weaver, uses AZ plants/veggies for wool dye What it does: Introduces Taylor and her basic approach to dyeing What it is: Opening context/introduction
For example, she achieved the deep reds and browns featured in her 2003 rug In the Path of the Four Seasons by using Arizona dock roots, drying and grinding them before mixing the powder with water to create a dye bath.	What it says: Specific example: AZ dock roots processed into dye for reds/browns in 2003 rug What it does: Provides a specific example of her local resource use What it is: Concrete example/evidence
To intensify the appearance of certain colors, Taylor also sometimes mixes in clay obtained from nearby soil.	What it says: Sometimes adds local clay to make colors more intense What it does: Explains an additional technique using local materials What it is: Additional supporting detail

Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Navajo weaver Lillie Taylor creates wool dyes using plants and materials sourced from her local Arizona environment.

Argument Flow: The passage introduces Taylor's general practice of using local Arizona resources for dyeing, then provides a specific example of how she processed dock roots for a particular rug, and concludes by mentioning another local resource (clay) she uses to enhance her dyes.

Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely

What's being asked? The main idea of the text

What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central theme or primary focus of the entire passage

Any limiting keywords? "best states" - we need the most accurate representation of the main idea

Step 3: Prethink the Answer

The passage is entirely focused on how Taylor uses materials from her local Arizona environment - plants, vegetables, dock roots, and clay from nearby soil
Every detail supports this theme of using regional/local resources
The right answer should capture this central focus on local/regional resource use rather than getting distracted by specific techniques, particular rugs, or claims not made in the passage

Answer Choices Explained

Reds and browns are not commonly featured in most of Taylor's rugs.

✗ Incorrect

Claims reds and browns are "not commonly featured" in most of Taylor's rugs
The passage doesn't discuss what colors are common across her work - only mentions one specific rug
This makes an unsupported generalization

Taylor draws on local resources in the approach she uses to dye wool.

✓ Correct

Captures that Taylor uses "local resources" in her dyeing approach
Perfectly matches our analysis showing she uses Arizona plants, vegetables, dock roots, and nearby clay
This is exactly what every detail in the passage supports

Taylor finds it difficult to locate Arizona dock root in the desert.

✗ Incorrect

Claims Taylor "finds it difficult" to locate dock roots
The passage never mentions any difficulty in finding materials
This introduces information not present in the text

In the Path of the Four Seasons is widely acclaimed for its many colors and innovative weaving techniques.

✗ Incorrect

Claims the rug is "widely acclaimed" with "innovative weaving techniques"
The passage only mentions the rug as an example of her dyeing, not its reputation or weaving methods

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