Question

A Pony Express Question!

(These questions are no fun) :(

Answer 1

The Pony Express was the first rapid transit and the first fast mail line across the continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast. It was a system by means of which messages were carried swiftly on horseback across the plains and deserts, and over the mountains of the far West. It brought the Atlantic coast and the Pacific slope 10 days nearer to each other.

It had a brief existence of only 16 months and was supplanted by the transcontinental telegraph. Yet it was of the greatest importance in binding the East and West together at a time when overland travel was slow and cumbersome, and when a great national crisis made the rapid communication of news between these sections an imperative necessity.

The Pony Express marked the highest development in overland travel prior to the coming of the Pacific railroad, which it preceded by nine years. It, in fact, proved the feasibility of a transcontinental road and demonstrated that such a line could be built and operated continuously the year around—a feat that had always been regarded as impossible.

The operation of the Pony Express was a supreme achievement of physical endurance on the part of man and his ever-faithful companion, the horse. The history of this organization should be a lasting monument to the physical sacrifice of man and beast in an effort to accomplish something worthwhile. Its history should be an enduring tribute to American courage and American organizing genius.

What is the central idea of the third paragraph?

A. Rail travel suffered due to funds spent on the Pony Express.
B. People did not use the Pony Express in the way they expected.
C. Pail travel was made possible in part by the Pony Express.
D. People wanted to extend the Pony Express to other regions.

Answer 2

So here's the third paragraph:
"The Pony Express marked the highest development in overland travel prior to the coming of the Pacific railroad, which it preceded by nine years. It, in fact, proved the feasibility of a transcontinental road and demonstrated that such a line could be built and operated continuously the year around—a feat that had always been regarded as impossible."

Is there anything that confuses you in this paragraph?

Answer 3

I have some difficulty finding what exactly it is that they're trying to say.... I've been reading on the computer all day and my brain is completely fried....

Answer 4

Okay, let me try to rephrase the paragraph to make things a bit clearer.

Answer 5

" The Pony Express marked the highest development in overland travel prior to the coming of the Pacific railroad, which it preceded by nine years."

Answer 6

What matches this thesis sentence in paragraph 3.

Answer 7

Think about it, just by looking at the first sentence, it should tell you what you need to grasp!

MissSmartiez, out.

Irrarion0al will help you with further questions.

Answer 8

Good job Irr, Medal.

Answer 9

The Pony Express marked the highest development in overland travel before the coming of the Pacific railroad, which was built 9 years after the Pony Express. The Pony Express proved how easy it could be to build a railroad across the whole continent which could be built and operated continuously the year round, which was something that had always been thought of as impossible.

Answer 10

Okay, would that make it C?

Answer 11

That's right.

Answer 12

Thank you so much!

Answer 13

You're very welcome! Let me know if you need help with anything else.