Read the comprehension passage carefully and answer the following questions: - In 1848, gold was found in California. Thousands of people rushed there to get some. Many people liked living there and decided to stay. At that time there was no train line. In 1860 and 1861, the Pony express was the fastest way to get news to and from the West. It could make the trip in just ten days. The Pony Express had 184 stations along the trail. The stations were around ten miles apart. This is about how far a horse could run at a gallop before tiring. The rider would switch to a new horse at each station and before resting the would give his mail pouch to new rider. The mail never stopped moving, even while the horses and riders rested. Each rider had to weigh less than 125 pounds. Speed was the key. Most of the riders were teenage boys who rode at a fast pace for upto 100 miles a day. If there was an emergency one might have to ride 200 miles in a day. In its time running, the Pony Express only lost one mail pouch. The Pony Express played an important role for a time but it did not last. 1. Which best explains why Pony riders had to weigh less than 125 pounds? (A) Heavier men were more expensive (B) Horses were scared of heavier men. (C) Heavier men scared customers. (D) Horses could make quicker with lighter men. 2. How fast could the Pony Express take a letter from California to Massoorie? (A) 24 hours (B) Ten days (C) Twenty days (D) One month 3. About how far did Pony Express riders travel on a usual day? (A) 10 miles (B) 200 miles (C) 100 miles (D) 2000 miles 4. How many pouches did the Pony Express lose? (A) Never lost a pouch (B) One (C) Two (D) Too many to keep track