Read the following passage and answer the question below. The wheel is often cited as one of the most transformative inventions in human history, fundamentally changing transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. Archaeological evidence suggests that the wheel was first developed in Mesopotamia around five thousand years ago, initially used not for transportation but as a potter's wheel to shape clay vessels more efficiently. It was only later that the wheel was adapted for use on carts and chariots, dramatically improving the speed and efficiency of transporting goods and people over land. The invention of the wheel also spurred related innovations, such as the development of roads and axles, which were necessary to make wheeled transport practical and durable. Interestingly, several advanced ancient civilizations in the Americas, such as the Aztec and Maya, are known to have understood the concept of the wheel, using it in small toys, but did not adopt it for practical transportation, likely due to a lack of suitable draft animals and challenging terrain. Question: What is the passage primarily about?
- A. The construction of ancient roads in Europe
- B. The invention and evolution of the wheel and its impact on human civilization ✓
- C. The history of pottery making
- D. The domestication of draft animals
Correct answer
B. The invention and evolution of the wheel and its impact on human civilization
Explanation
The passage traces the wheel's invention, early uses, and eventual adoption for transportation.