Final answer:
The central idea of the passage is that the Inca Empire developed sophisticated methods for collecting and interpreting weather data to make important decisions about agriculture and other aspects of their society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of the passage regarding the exchange of information and weather predictions in the Inca Empire is that the Inca Empire developed sophisticated methods for collecting and interpreting weather data, and they used this knowledge to make important decisions about agriculture and other aspects of their society.
One example of this is the Chaski network, a system of relay runners who carried messages and weather information throughout the empire. This allowed the Inca to quickly respond to changes in weather conditions and make adjustments to their farming practices.
Another example is the use of quipus, a system of knotted cords used for record-keeping. The Inca used quipus to store information about weather patterns and predictions, allowing them to make long-term plans and preparations.