Read the excerpt from The Land.At first I just walked the grey, letting him get used to me. Then I bridled and saddled him and finally I mounted. I let him get accustomed to my weight on his back as he walked around the pasture, then knowing our time was short, I put him through paces, first a trot followed by a gallop before slowing him down and taking him back to the cool of a shade tree. I gave him more apple wedges. I let him drink from a stream nearby before I brushed him again. All the while I never stopped talking to him.
Answer
A
to explain how Paul gets to know Sutcliffe’s horse
B
to provide backstory about Paul’s history with horses
C
to explain Paul’s motivation for participating in the horse race
D
to provide backstory about how Paul learned to ride horses
Explanation
Paul describes gradually helping the grey horse become comfortable with him: he walks beside it, puts on its bridle and saddle, mounts, and rides at different paces. He also gives it apples and water and keeps talking to it. These details show how Paul gets to know Sutcliffe’s horse, rather than explaining his past or his reason for entering a race.
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