Without question america's greatest river, the mississippi, has made major contributions to the physical and economic growth of the nation. coursing through the heart of america, it supplies water for the cities and industries that have located along its banks. in 1705 the first cargo was floated down the river from the indian country around wabash. this was a load of 15,000 bear and deer hides.. the mississippi river is the main stem of a network of inland navigable waterways which form a system of about 12,350 miles in length. which best describes the difference of how the mississippi river is presented in each passage? a) the first passage is a part of a novel, while the second passage could be a part of an encyclopedia entry. eliminate b) the first passage has an exciting plot, while the second passage simply presents objective, factual information. c) the first passage is written from a personal, opinionated point of view, while the second passage does not have a specific tone or voice. d) the first passage presents factual information about the mississippi river, while the second passage simply uses the mississippi river for plot points and setting.