Question

read the excerpt from the land, part 4.

\you could get thrown, you could get run over; in either case possibly get yourself seriously hurt. no, im not about to let you ride any horses except the ones we brought here.\

\well, i still say ive got a right to decide what i ride and for who. im not your slave anymore.\

i remember my daddy got real quiet. if i just hadnt added that last bit, maybe he would have taken the time to talk more to me. now his mind closed. \makes no difference about that. im still your daddy, and youre still a boy with a boys judgment. i say no about a thing, then its finished.\

based on this excerpt, which is a reasonable prediction?

paul will ask his father about sutcliffes horses again.
paul will change his fathers mind about sutcliffes horses.
paul will ride sutcliffes horses in the future.
paul will refuse to ride any of sutcliffes horses.

Explanation:

Analyze the father's stance

Using the Novel Comprehension and Textual Evidence knowledge points, we examine the father's dialogue. He states, "No, I'm not about to let you ride any horses except the ones we brought here." When Paul asserts his independence, the father shuts down the conversation, saying, "I say no about a thing, then it's finished." This shows the father's absolute refusal to let Paul ride Sutcliffe's horses.

Analyze Paul's motivation

Using the Character Motivation and Plot Analysis knowledge points, we look at Paul's reaction. Paul asserts, "Well, I still say I've got a right to decide what I ride and for who. I'm not your slave anymore." This declaration of independence and defiance indicates that Paul does not accept his father's absolute control and intends to make his own choices regarding which horses he rides.

Evaluate the predictions

Using the Textual Evidence knowledge point, we evaluate the choices:

• Paul asking again or changing his father's mind is unlikely because his father's mind is completely "closed" and "finished."
• Paul refusing to ride them contradicts his defiant statement that he has the right to decide.
• Therefore, Paul's defiance strongly predicts he will ride Sutcliffe's horses in the future anyway.

Answer:

• Paul will ask his father about Sutcliffe's horses again.
• Paul will change his father's mind about Sutcliffe's horses.
• Paul will ride Sutcliffe's horses in the future. (Correct answer)
• Paul will refuse to ride any of Sutcliffe's horses.