Question

reading progress check
2
how does the author develop the theme that \strength comes from empowering others\?
a. william’s rescue shows true knightly behavior.

b. nesta’s fear in the cave shows her initial lack of courage.

c. the knights’ storytelling reveals how they defeat danger.

d. ned’s choice allows nesta to achieve her knighthood.

(the passage text: early the next morning, while gathering elderberries for the king, ned the knight got caught in a thunderstorm and darted into a nearby cave. though big and brawny and burly, ned was as timid as a kitten. so much did he quiver and quake and quail that everyone in the castle called him ned the knock - kneed knight.
\is someone there?\ whispered a ladys voice. \are you, by chance, a knight come to rescue me, the poor lady nesta?\
ned stammered, \well, my lady...\
\oh, thank goodness!\ lady nesta gasped, explaining, \i ran in here after my little dog, but such is my terror of the enveloping darkness that i find myself unable to move. perhaps you could be so kind as to fetch a couple of torches?\
\i am sorry, dear lady, but i cannot fetch a torch, for i, too, am terrified of the dark.\
lady nesta whispered, \what shall we do?\
ned offered his hand and whispered, \sweet lady, here, take my cowards hand,\ and off they went hand in hand toward the opening of the cave.
as ned and nesta exited the cave, they found william, the boldest knight of all, waiting. \we have been searching for you, my lady, as the boasting banquet is about to begin,\ william announced, scooping lady nesta up and galloping away.
ned continued to the banquet on his own, sliding into an empty seat in the great hall while the knights continued their boasting. \i rescued the queens cousin from a fire - breathing dragon!\ boasted one. \i swam the stormy seas to save a burly knight. the boasts continued until there was but one knight left... ned.
nervously, ned stood up, threw back his shoulders, and announced, \i made the lady nesta feel brave!\
\you?\ cried the king and queen in unison.
\yes!\ lady nesta agreed.
ed made me feel brave because even though he was as scared as i, he still gave me all he had to give—his own cowards hand. therefore,\ lady nesta proclaimed, her voice ringing through the hall, \i declare ned the victor of this boasting banquet. now, ned, name your prize!\
ned turned to lady nesta, who stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear.
then lady nesta stepped forward and knelt before the king as he tapped her on each shoulder, proclaiming, \arise, dame lady nesta. from this day forward, you are one of the royal knights!\
although ned and nesta were both still afraid of mice and bats and of other things besides, they managed every now and then to perform a brave deed. and always, beforehand, they would stretch out their hands to one another and whisper, coward, take my cowards hand. )

Explanation:

To determine how the author develops the theme "strength comes from empowering others", we analyze each option:

• Option A: William's rescue is a typical knightly action but doesn't show empowerment of others to gain strength. Eliminate.
• Option B: Nesta's fear shows her initial state, not how strength comes from empowering others. Eliminate.
• Option C: The knights' storytelling is about their own deeds, not empowering others. Eliminate.
• Option D: Ned chooses to offer his hand (empowering Nesta), and this allows Nesta to achieve knighthood (gaining strength through being empowered). This matches the theme.

Answer:

D. Ned’s choice allows Nesta to achieve her knighthood.