Read passage 2 on the unit test reading passages page. then answer the question to improve elements of the passage, such as sentence structure, word choice, overall organization, tone, and voice.

which of the following best replaces the word its in sentence 12?

the continental congress's

the continental army's

george washington's

mount vernon's

(1) the first of america’s first ladies, martha dandridge, she was born near williamsburg, virginia in 1731. (2) when she was only 18 years old, she married her first husband daniel parke custis, a wealthy landowner who was twenty years her senior. (3) although the couple had four children, only two survived past infancy. (4) these two were still young children when custis died in 1757. (5) martha was only 26 years old.
(6) not long afterwards, martha met the young colonel george washington, who was several years younger than she was. (7) the two married in 1759 and with the new marriage, washington became a wealthy landowner and the family resettled at mount vernon. (8) martha and george never had children of their own, but washington was devoted to martha’s children. (9) sorrow struck the family again when martha’s daughter died at age seventeen.
(10) as political unrest in the colonies grew, george washington became more and more involved. (11) he was appointed commander-in-chief of the continental army at the second continental congress. (12) as its leader, washington was often far from home. (13) martha spent most of the revolutionary war at mount vernon. (14) but she took her place by her husband’s side when he was elected to the presidency and despite the hard work, she fulfilled her duties with dignity. (15) she outlived her husband by several years and is buried at mount vernon, which her husband is also buried at