Read the excerpt from "A Byte Out of History."

The FBI learned of the crime in flight and immediately opened an extensive investigation that lasted many years. Calling it NORJAK, for Northwest hijacking, we interviewed hundreds of people, tracked leads across the nation, and scoured the aircraft for evidence. By the five-year anniversary of the hijacking, we’d considered more than 800 suspects and eliminated all but two dozen from consideration.

How does this excerpt help develop the central idea of the passage?

It explains the process of investigating the hijacking.
It describes the toll the investigation took on the FBI.
It demonstrates Cooper’s role as a hijacker.
It shows why the investigation is still unsolved.

The correct answer is: It explains the process of investigating the hijacking.

The excerpt from "A Byte Out of History" helps develop the central idea of the passage by explaining the process of investigating the hijacking. It mentions that the FBI immediately opened an extensive investigation after learning of the crime in flight. The passage further elaborates on the investigation by stating that the FBI interviewed hundreds of people, tracked leads across the nation, and scoured the aircraft for evidence. It also mentions that the investigation lasted many years and that by the five-year anniversary of the hijacking, more than 800 suspects were considered and all but two dozen were eliminated from consideration. This information helps to develop the central idea by illustrating the thoroughness and complexity of the investigation into the hijacking.

The excerpt helps develop the central idea of the passage by explaining the process of investigating the hijacking. It mentions that the FBI opened an extensive investigation, interviewed hundreds of people, tracked leads across the nation, and scoured the aircraft for evidence. This provides insight into the steps taken by the FBI in their efforts to solve the crime. Therefore, the correct answer is: It explains the process of investigating the hijacking.