In regards to how linen was made in the colonial period, flax stalks had to age for several days or more to soften enough to pound and later hackle to sort the strands. Fibers in the stalk caused the flax to stretch when it was spun. As a result, weavers had to pull the fibers steadily to create an even thread.

Some weavers added water to threadwork in hopes of improving their weaving and discouraging tangles, usually with mixed results. Other weaving fibers such as cotton, wool, and angora provided warmth and equally unlimited mobility, while being affordable for their wearers.
What we generally think of as flax is a durable plant that can be used as both food and fabric. In essence, flax is a fiber that has highly nutritious seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids and stalks that are used as a textile.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR ANSWER!
1. With which statement would the author likely agree?
a. Flax seeds have greater benefits than the stalks.
b. Flax is difficult to transform into thread.
c. Flax has many uses.
d. Flax maintains its shape when spun.
2. The first paragraph
a. explains how linen is created
b. compares the varieties of fibers
c. explains why flax is stretched
d. tells the benefits of flax

1. c. Flax has many uses.

2. c. explains why flax is stretched

1. With which statement would the author likely agree?

Answer: c. Flax has many uses.

2. The first paragraph
Answer: a. explains how linen is created

1. With which statement would the author likely agree?

c. Flax has many uses.

To get to this answer, we can analyze the information provided in the passage. The passage states that flax can be used as both food and fabric, and that it has highly nutritious seeds and stalks that are used as a textile. This implies that flax has multiple uses, aligning with option c.

2. The first paragraph
a. explains how linen is created

To answer this question, we can examine the content of the first paragraph. The paragraph discusses the process of making linen from flax stalks, such as aging the stalks, pounding and hackling the softened stalks to sort the strands, and the need for weavers to pull the fibers steadily to create an even thread. This provides information on how linen is created, supporting option a.