Question

the article says:
sword fighting dates back to as early as about 1190 bce.
duels often ended with a fencer getting seriously wounded or even killed. around the 1400s ce, people began fencing as a sport. the sport spread all over the world. it has been part of the olympics since 1896.

the author uses these sentences mostly to help the reader understand ________.
a. how fencing got started
b. why fencers still wear helmets
c. how many countries have fencing teams today
d. why ibtihaj muhammad chose to start fencing

Explanation:

The provided text traces fencing's origins from 1190 BCE sword fighting, its evolution into a sport in the 1400s CE, and its inclusion in the Olympics in 1896. This focuses on the origins and development of fencing, which matches option A. Options B, C, and D are not addressed in the given passage.

Answer:

A. How fencing got started