Whether mashed or roasted, white or sweet, potatoes had no place at the first Thanksgiving. After encountering it in its native South America, the Spanish began introducing the potato to Europeans around 1570. But by the time the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower, the tuber had neither doubled back to North America nor become popular enough with the English to hitch a ride. New England's native inhabitants are known to have eaten other plant roots such as Indian turnips and groundnuts, which they may or may not have brought to the party." What does the phrase "nor become popular enough with the English to hitch a ride" tell readers about the potato?

This question is missing the options. I've found the complete question online. I'll omit the passage, since it is the same:

What does the phrase "nor become popular enough with the English to hitch a ride" tell readers about the potato?

1. People in England preferred eating Indian turnips and groundnuts to eating potatoes.

2. People in England did not like the potato enough to bring it with them on the Mayflower.

3. People in England were planning to take the potato with them on the Mayflower but changed their minds.

4. People in England did not like eating potatoes because the potato had been introduced by the Spanish.

The phrase tell readers:

2. People in England did not like the potato enough to bring it with them on the Mayflower.

Explanation:

According to the excerpt, the potato did not reach the popularity it has nowadays for quite some time. It was introduced to Europeans around 1570, but it was not liked enough for the English to want to bring it with them on the Mayflower. That is what the phrase  "nor become popular enough with the English to hitch a ride" means. The potato did not "hitch a ride", meaning it was not taken back home with the English. As a matter of fact, even in America - watch out because option 1 tries to make us confuse England and New England - the native inhabitants would eat other plant roots, but not the potato.

i think that it is (line 11)

the purpose is to inform because for some reason they really want you to know about it.