Question

Exploring the Rockies
Noel has always been interested in hiking. As a child, he often visited the Rocky Mountain range to explore. He took pictures of different plants and animals. When he got home, he compared his pictures to those he found online. Noel liked to learn about the things he encountered on his hikes. His mother was excited to find one of his journals about the hikes after Noel left for college. She missed him, and reading about one of his favorite activities made her smile. She was surprised, though, by one entry that discussed several dangerous animals Noel had seen on one of his hikes:

Today was the most exciting hike in a long time. The weather was perfect because it was just starting to get cold, and a lot of animals were getting ready for the winter. I got to see so many species that I don't normally come across, even though some of them could have been hunting me while I explored the trail.

Can you believe I got to see a mountain lion? Some people call them pumas or panthers, but I always liked the idea of them being lions. I know they're not really related to the lions in Africa and Asia, but America doesn't have any true lions, and it's the biggest cat you can see in the wild here. What made it most scary, though, is that people often say, "Once you see a mountain lion, you're already dead." I know it's not really true, but you couldn't fight a mountain lion if it wanted to hurt you. Luckily, I had my walking stick and a bear horn to scare it off.

I also got to see a black bear and several snakes, too. I even took pictures of a western diamondback rattlesnake and a scattered prairie rattlesnake! Most people think that rattlesnakes are mean, but really, they're just defensive. If you don't get too close to them, they won't hurt you. I made sure to keep my distance and use the zoom on my camera just in case they were grumpy.

Noel's mother was impressed with her son's bravery, but she had to admit that she may not have let him go on his adventures if she'd known the kinds of things he was running into on the trail!
Question
Which two details best reveal Noel’s character and how his hikes create meaning in the passage?
Responses
A Noel takes photos of plants and animals and compares them to pictures he finds online.Noel takes photos of plants and animals and compares them to pictures he finds online.
B Noel describes the mountain lion as the biggest cat in America, showing his mix of fear and fascination.Noel describes the mountain lion as the biggest cat in America, showing his mix of fear and fascination.
C Noel mentions that his mother missed him after he left for college.Noel mentions that his mother missed him after he left for college.
D Noel uses a walking stick and a bear horn when he sees the mountain lion, showing he prepares for dangers.Noel uses a walking stick and a bear horn when he sees the mountain lion, showing he prepares for dangers.
E Noel explains that rattlesnakes are “mean” animals who always attack hikers.Noel explains that rattlesnakes are “mean” animals who always attack hikers.

Answer 1

A and D

A shows Noel's curiosity and love of learning (he studies the plants and animals he photographs). D shows he's practical and prepared for danger on his hikes (walking stick and bear horn), revealing how his adventures are both meaningful and serious.