Read the excerpt from “Tools of the Spymaster." James Jay's invisible ink did not become visible by heating. As he described it, his ink "would elude the generally known means of detection, and yet could be rendered visible by a suitable counterpart." Jay's invisible ink consisted of two chemicals. An agent used one chemical to write an invisible message. To read the message, the reader had to brush a second chemical on the paper; that chemical made the message visible. The two-bottle system, supplied by Jay, gave Washington the secure form of writing that he wanted. Which statement is best supported by text evidence from the excerpt?
Answer
A
Heating was a generally known means of reading invisible ink.
B
James Jay was widely considered a hero for his invention.
C
Both the British and the Americans used James Jay’s invisible ink.
D
Washington helped James Jay develop the two-bottle system.
Explanation
The excerpt says Jay’s ink would “elude the generally known means of detection,” but it became visible when a reader applied a suitable second chemical. It also specifically says the ink did not become visible by heating, supporting the idea that heating was a generally known way to reveal invisible ink. The excerpt does not say Jay was widely considered a hero, that the British used his ink, or that Washington helped develop it.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.