Question

“he got sold,” i said. “they came and got him one day and took him off. he was a real valuable horse. pure quarter.”

she didn’t say anything else and i was glad. i couldn’t tell her that soda had bawled all night long after they came and got mickey mouse. i had cried, too, if you want to know the truth, because soda never really wanted anything except a horse, and he’d lost his.

from s. e. hinton, the outsiders. copyright 1967 by s. e. hinton

1. which of the following most accurately describes ponyboy’s reaction to soda losing mickey mouse?

1. ponyboy thinks not having a horse will be good for soda.

ponyboy is relieved the horse is finally gone.

ponyboy empathizes with soda’s loss.

ponyboy resents soda for selling the horse.

Explanation:

To determine Ponyboy's reaction, we analyze the text: "I had cried, too, if you want to know the truth, because Soda never really wanted anything except a horse, and he'd lost his." This shows Ponyboy understands and shares Soda's sadness over losing the horse, meaning he empathizes. The other options are incorrect: there's no indication he thinks it's good for Soda, relieved (he cried), or resents Soda (no such indication).

Answer:

Ponyboy empathizes with Soda’s loss.