Question

Passage 1
Sybil Ludington: The Female Paul Revere

Not many 16-year-old girls took part in the Revolutionary War, but Sybil Ludington is certainly one of the few.
Sybil Ludington was born in Fredericksburg, New York, in 1761. Her father, Henry Ludington, was a colonel in the Dutchess County Militia, a division of the Continental Army. He was also the commander of the militia's 7th Regiment.
Two thousand British soldiers were spotted in Fairfield, Connecticut, on April 25, 1777. They quickly traveled to Danbury, Connecticut. By the next day, they were burning stores and homes hiding Continental Army supplies. Word was sent that the British has descended upon the area and that parts of Danbury were being destroyed.
A messenger from Danbury arrived at Colonel Ludington’s late that night. Unfortunately, the colonel's soldiers were not together in an army camp. They were in their own homes, spread out for miles and miles. The messenger was unfamiliar with the area. He could not be trusted to locate all 400 members of the 7th Regiment.
So Colonel Ludington's daughter took up the task. At only 16 years of age, Sybil hopped on her horse, Star, and rode through the night. She rode for 40 miles in the rain. Some reports say that Sybil could see Danbury burning as she rallied her father’s soldiers. Some people say she called out, "Muster at Ludington’s!" so the men would know to gather at the Ludingtons’ farm. Her ride was not only long, it was treacherous. British soldiers were scattered throughout the area, as well as dangerous outlaws called "skinners." As long as Sybil was on her horse, she was in jeopardy. Sybil left her home around 9:00 p.m.; she didn’t return home until dawn.
As a result of Sybil’s bravery, the 7th Regiment rode to Danbury and fought the British troops. Sybil’s part in the battle didn’t go unnoticed by the Continental Army. She received a very special honor: being congratulated by General George Washington. She is now known by many as the female Paul Revere.


Passage 2

Sybil Ludington’s Ride

There were many heroes during the Revolutionary War. One of the lesser-known heroes was a farm girl who tried to save Danbury, Connecticut, from being burned to the ground.

The Burning of Danbury
On April 25, 1777, the residents of Fairfield, Connecticut, were terrified when they witnessed six British warships and 20 transports arrive on the Saugatuck River. However, the 2,000 soldiers didn’t harm Fairfield. They continued inland. The next day, they reached their target: Danbury, Connecticut. The British were hunting for Continental Army supplies that had been moved there. Fortunately for the British, the supplies were not very well guarded and were easily discovered. The soldiers found many important provisions, such as beef, flour, tents, cots, and clothing. They planned on destroying the supplies but didn’t want to hurt anyone loyal to the British crown. They cleverly marked the properties of British loyalists with chalk; all properties without these marks would be set on fire. By 4:00 p.m., Danbury was burning.

Sybil Ludington Rides Into Action
Colonel Henry Ludington was the commander of the Dutchess County Militia’s 7th Regiment. Although he and his men resided in New York, they were close enough to ride to Danbury to aid in the fight against the British.
When a messenger arrived at Colonel Ludington's house that night, the colonel’s eldest daughter, Sybil, was trusted with the task of riding out and gathering her father's troops. Some people say the 16 year old rode for 20 miles in the rain; others say it was 40 miles. Regardless of the distance, Sybil rode until sunrise, calling her father's troops into action.
Although they could not save Danbury, the men fought in what is now known as the Battle of Ridgefield. What is also known is that it could not have been done without the courage of an ordinary farm girl.

11
Read the following from Passage 2.

What is also known is that it could not have been done without the courage of an ordinary farm girl.

What does the author's use of the phrase an ordinary farm girl imply?

A.
that ordinary people can do extraordinary things
B.
that most of those fighting the British were farmers
C.
that ordinary people are rarely courageous
D.
that a young girl can do anything that a man can

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. that ordinary people can do extraordinary things

The phrase "an ordinary farm girl" implies that Sybil Ludington, despite her seemingly typical background, performed a remarkable and courageous act during a significant historical event.