Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given four alternatives. The Amazon basin experienced a rubber boom after technological advances such as vulcanisation and pneumatic tyres. The passage notes that in 1842 American Charles Goodyear developed vulcanisation, making natural rubber durable, and that in 1890 Ireland's John Dunlop patented pneumatic rubber tyres. This innovation led to a surge in demand for rubber in industrial countries. According to the passage, who patented pneumatic rubber tyres?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks about a key innovation mentioned in the Amazon rubber boom passage: the invention and patenting of pneumatic rubber tyres. The passage connects this development to growing global demand for rubber and subsequent exploitation in the Amazon region. Our task is to identify the correct person associated with this patent.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage lists two major technological steps: vulcanisation by Charles Goodyear in 1842 and pneumatic rubber tyres by John Dunlop in 1890.
• It explicitly states that Ireland's John Dunlop patented pneumatic rubber tyres.
• The other names in the options, Gonzalo Pizarro, Francisco de Orellana and Pedro Teixeira, are explorers associated with earlier centuries.
• The question requires only the name of the person who patented the tyres.

Concept / Approach:
This is a straightforward detail question. The approach is to focus on the section of the passage that discusses technological innovations in rubber usage, not the earlier sections about exploration. Students must resist confusion caused by the presence of several historical names in the text and options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Go to the sentence describing technological developments in rubber processing and usage.Step 2: Note that it credit Charles Goodyear with vulcanisation and John Dunlop with pneumatic tyres.Step 3: Identify that the question specifically asks who patented pneumatic rubber tyres.Step 4: Select John Dunlop from the options, as he is clearly linked with this patent in 1890.

Verification / Alternative check:
Double check by listing the roles of the names that appear in the passage: Pizarro and De Orellana are explorers from the Spanish expedition of 1541; Pedro Teixeira is a Portuguese explorer from the seventeenth century; Goodyear is responsible for vulcanisation; Dunlop is associated with pneumatic tyres. Only Dunlop fits both the invention and the patent mentioned.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Gonzalo Pizarro, led a Spanish expedition looking for supplies; he is not linked with rubber technology.
Option B, Francisco de Orellana, travelled down the Rio Napo and the Amazon; again, he had nothing to do with tyre patents.
Option C, Pedro Teixeira, is a Portuguese explorer who went up the river and back; his activities are separate from rubber processing.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes select the wrong historical figure when multiple names are presented in a passage. Another mistake is confusing Goodyear and Dunlop: Goodyear developed vulcanisation, whereas Dunlop patented pneumatic tyres. Keeping their contributions clearly separated avoids this confusion.

Final Answer:
The passage attributes the patenting of pneumatic rubber tyres in 1890 to an Irishman, John Dunlop. Therefore, the correct answer is John Dunlop.