Question

read this excerpt from \the world on turtles back.\
the birds of the sea joined together to save the woman and they broke her fall. the great sea turtle floated in the ocean and received the woman on his back without harm. the frightened woman looked around and all she could see was water and sky. she felt helpless, but the animals were determined to save her. she told them that if they could find some soil, she could plant the roots from the great tree that were still tangled in her hands.
based on the animals behavior toward the woman, it is reasonable to conclude that the animals
were frightened by a creature they had never seen.
felt compassion for the woman because she was scared.
were hoping to live on land that the woman would create.
wanted the roots from the sacred great tree.

Explanation:

The text shows that the birds joined together to save the woman and break her fall, the sea turtle received her on his back without harm, and the animals were determined to save her despite her helplessness. This indicates a sense of care and compassion. There is no indication that the animals were frightened by her (they actively helped), no mention of them hoping for land she would create (the focus is on saving her now), and the roots are just something she could plant if soil was found - not the animals' main motivation for helping.

Answer:

B. felt compassion for the woman because she was scared.