Answer:
A central idea in the article about the life of Susan Butcher is that a childhood passion for animals and the
outdoors became the focus of her entire life. The writer of the article develops this idea by describing some
important events of Butcher’s life and by inserting descriptions of intense moments in her Iditarod racing
experiences. These descriptions also make what could be a matter-of-fact article an exciting reading experience.
In addition to explaining how Butcher became interested in dog racing as a teen, the writer gives a history
lesson about how the famous Iditarod race actually grew out of a real event. The story of mushers racing through
winter storms to get an antitoxin serum to the people of Nome, Alaska, in 1925 sets the stage for some of the
dramatic experiences Butcher had as a musher. When Butcher learned of the Iditarod story, she decided to race in
the modern Iditarod race and began training herself and her dogs. The writer also explains how Butcher educated
herself with veterinary classes in order to care for sled dogs and other animals, how she lived independently in
Alaska for a time working hard to train herself and her dogs to build strength and endurance, and how her
experiences with her dogs taught her about the importance of building trust with her animals as well as about the
dangers of racing. All of this shows how Butcher stayed dedicated to what she loved—animals and the outdoors.
The writer also explains how Butcher’s determination helped her become a winner. The descriptions of
hardships such as living alone in the Alaskan wild show that Butcher was an extraordinary person who focused in
achieving her goal of racing in the Iditarod. The writer keeps the reader interested by adding descriptions of close
calls she experienced, like the one when her dog Tekla disobeyed her command but kept her from sliding into icy
waters. The article includes information about the times Butcher did not win the Iditarod but kept racing, and that
shows her determination to follow her passion.
Explanation:
this is the key so dont cop and paste
