The Autobiography of a Horse.
Now that I am getting old and stiff in the joints, I like to meditate, while grazing in the pasture, on my foal days. I think that was the happiest part of my life. I had no work to do, and could run about after my mother, who was a fine white Arab mare, without any restraint. Most of my time was spent in the fields, where I nibbled the tender grass and capered about, while my mother was steadily grazing.
But that could not last for ever. When I was old enough, the trainer came and, to my great indignation, fastened a long rope to my head, and then began driving me round and round in circles with his long whip. I was frightened and angry, but he went on till I was so tired that I could scarcely stand. However, my mother told me that it was no use my resisting, and to make a long story short, I was at last thoroughly trained as a riding-horse.
I was bought by a young officer as a polo pony, and I soon got to love the game. He was a kind master, and a good rider; and in the end I would do anything for him, and was quite proud when his side won the game. But he got into debt, and had to sell me; and I was bought by a gentleman and a lady who kept a buggy, and was trained to run in shafts. I hated this work; and I am afraid I gave a lot of trouble, by going as slowly as I could. When my driver gave me the whip, I started shying at any object on the road. And then I found that jibbing was a very good trick, and whenever I was whipped, I simply backed. My owner got disgusted at last, and sold me to a gentleman who was fond of hunting.
I was delighted to get back to saddle-work; and thoroughly enjoyed my gallops with the hounds after the jackal in open country. But an accident put a stop to that jolly life; for one day my master pressed me to a big jump which I knew I could not do. I did my best but fell short, and fell. My master was thrown and broke his arm, and I badly sprained one of my legs.
I was in hospital for weeks, and then was sold to a gentleman who wanted a quiet riding- horse. He was a kind master, and used me well; and I was in his service for a good number of years. Now that I am old, he gives me very little work, and I spend most of my time grazing in the pasture, and leading a quiet, contented life.
Which trick, out of the options given below, was NOT a part of the horse's coping mechanism when he was whipped?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Galloping
To gallop is to run at full speed. Galloping was not one of the horse's tricks against the whip: he speaks of "my gallops with the hounds" later, as something he "thoroughly enjoyed" while working for the gentleman who was fond of hunting. When he was whipped, his tricks were shying, jibbing and backing.
Example: The horses galloped across the open field.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Jibbing — Incorrect. True in the passage: a horse jibs when it stops suddenly and refuses to go forward; the horse found "that jibbing was a very good trick".
Example: The pony jibbed at the gate and would not move.
Option 3: Shying — Incorrect. True in the passage: a horse shies when it jumps or turns aside suddenly, as if afraid; "When my driver gave me the whip, I started shying at any object on the road."
Example: The horse shied at the sound of the horn.
Option 4: Backing up — Incorrect. True in the passage: backing up is moving backwards; "whenever I was whipped, I ... backed."