The most dangerous eight seconds in sports is considered to be bull

The “most dangerous eight seconds in sports” is considered to be bull riding, in which a rider attempts to stay seated on a bucking bull for that length of time. Rules are strict: The rider must hold on with one hand and not touch the other hand to the bull for the length of the ride. The bull and rider begin the ride in a chute. In preparation for the ride, the rider rosins one hand, wraps a braided bullrope around the bull’s neck, and then wraps the remainder of the rope around the rosined hand. When the rider signals readiness, the chute is opened, and the bull and rider fly out into the ring. The bull, selected for orneriness and speed, tries to buck the rider off before the allotted time is up. Two judges score both bull and rider on a scale of 0 to 50 points. Bulls are scored on agility and strength, and riders earn points for control and balance. Then the scores are added together. Scores above 90 are rare; rider scores of 0 (because of a fall) are common.

Certain bulls do well enough in competition to attain a measure of fame. One example is Little Yellow Jacket from North Dakota, who was voted best bucking bull two years in a row. Another is the enormous bull known as Outlaw, out of Calgary. It took 58 tries by 58 different riders before one rider was able to hang on to Outlaw for the required eight seconds. A third was Red Rock, from Texas, who apparently went his entire career without a successful ride, bucking off 309 riders between 1984 and 1987. Of course, there are dozens of famous bull riders, new ones for every generation. There are a number of rodeo circuits, and riders may work their way up to the level of Professional Bull Riders. There they are guaranteed regular work and the possibility of many thousands in prize money. PBR bull riding is televised widely, with each event featuring the top 45 professional riders of the year.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) suggest reasons why bull riding should be outlawed
(B) compare bull riders to athletes in other endeavors
(C) describe and explain the rules of a popular sport
(D) list a few beloved heroes of the sport of bull riding
(E) review and elucidate the history of bull riding


2. Based on information in the passage, what could you assume if a rider scored a 20?

(A) He fell off the bull before eight seconds was reached.
(B) He showed unusual agility and strength on the bull.
(C) His agility was less than average, but his balance was good.
(D) He exhibited little control but did not fall off the bull.
(E) His balance was not up to par, but he looked strong and agile.


3. In the second paragraph of the passage, the first sentence introduces the topic, and the other sentences provide

(A) examples in support
(B) examples in refutation
(C) reasons for an opinion
(D) causes and effects
(E) comparisons and contrast