Question

read the passage.
off the coast of maryland and virginia lies assateague island—a stretch of sandy beaches and salt marshes occupied by two herds of majestic horses. a feral population, these horses are descended from domesticated ancestors that were brought to the island around 300 years ago. the northern two thirds of assateague are part of maryland, and the herd there is managed by the national park service, a federal organization. the horses roam freely and can be found anywhere in the park. on the island’s southern end, which belongs to virginia, the herd is managed by a private company. the horses roam within large, fenced - in areas of a wildlife refuge. once a year, the company removes some of the horses to be domesticated on the mainland, helping to keep the island population from growing too large.
based on the passage, which best describes the relationship between the maryland and virginia herds?

• both herds have occupied assateague for centuries, but only horses on the maryland side are native to the island.
• both herds roam freely around the island, but only horses on the maryland side inhabit beaches and salt marshes.
• both herds are managed by people, but only horses on the virginia side are controlled by a private company.
• both herds are now considered wild animals, but only horses on the virginia side were once domesticated.

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Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The passage says both herds are descended from domesticated ancestors brought to the island ~300 years ago, so neither is "native" (implied as original to the island), so this is incorrect.
2. Analyze the second option: The Maryland herd roams freely anywhere in the park (including beaches/salt marshes), while the Virginia herd roams within large, fenced - in areas of a wildlife refuge, so they don't both roam freely around the island, and the beach/salt marsh claim is wrong.
3. Analyze the third option: The Maryland herd is managed by the National Park Service (a federal organization, i.e., people), and the Virginia herd is managed by a private company. This matches the passage details.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The passage states both herds are feral (descended from domesticated ancestors), so it's not only the Virginia side that was once domesticated.

Answer:

C. Both herds are managed by people, but only horses on the Virginia side are controlled by a private company.