Final answer:
By December 1776, General George Washington had achieved two notable victories since taking command: the Battle of Harlem Heights and the pivotal victory over the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey, making the correct answer b) 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
By December 1776, General George Washington had won two battles since taking command of the Continental Army. Despite the challenges faced by the Colonials, including the loss of New York City and military setbacks in the North, two pivotal victories had been achieved under Washington's leadership by the end of 1776.
These victories were at the Battle of Harvard Heights and a much-needed military and moral victory over the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey, on December 26, 1776, after a daring attack on Christmas night that caught the enemy by surprise.
Shortly thereafter, he replicated this victory at the Battle of Princeton. Thus, the correct answer to the student's question would be option b) 2.