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 theocean and received the woman on his back without harm. the frightened woman looked around and all shecould see was water and sky. she felt helpless, but the animals were determined to save her. she told them thatif 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 animalswere 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 states that the animals were determined to save the woman. When she felt helpless (scared), they took action. There is no indication in the text that they were frightened by her (eliminating the first option). There is no mention of them hoping for land she would create (eliminating the third option) or wanting the roots (the roots were in her hands and she was going to plant them if she had soil - no indication of animal desire for roots, eliminating the fourth option). Their act of saving her when she was scared shows compassion.

Answer:

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