Question

read this excerpt from the world on turtles back.
the animals thought that perhaps there was dirt at the depths of the ocean, but they had never tried to reach the bottom before. one by one they tried to swim down, but their attempts were futile. finally, the muskrat disappeared into the cold depth of the ocean. after a lengthy amount of time, he drifted to the surface with a tiny speck of earth in his hand. he appeared to be dead, but the animals prayed and chanted, and finally he stirred. the earth - diver was successful in bringing forth the soil to make the earth grow.
which sentence from the excerpt best supports the idea that the muskrat was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of all?
○ finally, the muskrat disappeared into the cold depth of the ocean.
○ after a lengthy amount of time, he drifted to the surface with a tiny speck of earth in his hand. he appeared to be dead....
○ the animals prayed and chanted, and finally he stirred.
○ the earth - diver was successful in bringing forth the soil to make the earth grow.

Explanation:

The question asks for the sentence showing the muskrat's willingness to sacrifice for the group. The option where he drifts up appearing dead after retrieving earth shows he risked his life (nearly died) to get the soil needed for all the animals, directly demonstrating self-sacrifice. Other options either only show him diving, his recovery, or the end result without highlighting the sacrifice of his own safety.

Answer:

After a lengthy amount of time, he drifted to the surface with a tiny speck of earth in his hand. He appeared to be dead. . . .