Mustangs

閆月

What is a mustang？

Horses have played a very important part in American history. But there were no horses in this country until the Spanish brought them here about 400 years ago. These horses came to be called mustangs.

Native Americans found the mustangs in the western part of the country. They had run away from their owners and were roaming free. They had become tough and strong living in the wilderness， and were very fast. They were about the size of a pony and were very beautiful with their long， flowing manes and tails.

Native Americans looked after the mustangs well. They rode them to hunt， to get around， and just to enjoy the ride.

There are still herds of wild mustangs roaming free. Some are rounded up each year. They are then sold to be trained for some lucky person to ride.

I. Match the words with their meanings.

1. herds? ? ? ? ? ? ? （a） going from place to place

2. roaming? ? ? ? ? ? （b） groups of animals

3. wilderness? ? ? ? ? （c） of great value

4. flowing? ? ? ? ? ? （d） move about aimlessly or without any destination

5. important? ? ? ? （e） a wild place with no one living in it

II. Put the sentences in the correct order.

____ Native Americans took care of the mustangs.

____ They had run away and were roaming free.

____ Horses have played a very important part in our history.

____ They are then sold to be trained for some lucky person to ride.

III. Can you remember？

1. Who brought the mustangs to this country？

A. The English.? ? ? ? ? ? B. The Spanish.? ? ? ? ? C. The French.

2. In what part of the U.S. did Native Americans find the mustangs？

A. Southern.? ? ? ? ? ? ? B. Eastern.? ? ? ? ? ? C. Western.

3. What made the mustangs strong and tough？

A. Living in the wildness.? ? B. Eating a lot.? ? ? ? C. Carrying heavy loads.

4. Mustangs are not ____.

A. fast? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? B. beautiful? ? ? ? ? ? C. large

5. The passage as a whole is about ____.

A. cars? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? B. horses? ? ? ? ? ? ? C. food