All of the following aided in providing opportunities for farming in Texas EXCEPT:
a. railroad expansion
b. availability of cheap land
the end of cattle ranching
d. new and improved technologies

c. the end of cattle ranching (assuming this is choice "C" option on the assignment, as there is no identifier in the question to the right)

Explanation:

This answer is gotten by process of elimination. The 3rd choice would logically accomplish the opposite of giving help for providing farming opportunities, as it would take away one of the major reason for Westward Expansion.

The correct answer is C. I asked him if Mitchell could go with us. "He's right good with horses now," I said. "He's gentle with them, and they trust him."

Explanation:

Direct characterization can be identified because characters are described through adjectives or precise details that let you known how a character is. This does not occur in indirect characterization that implies presenting the words and actions of the character to indirectly show the personality of the character.

Direct characterization occurs in the third excerpt because Mitchell is described as "gentle"; also, this occurs in the detail "He's good with horses now" because these show the personality of Mitchell and his abilities with horses. Also, in other options, Mitchell's personality is presented through his actions or words, which is indirect characterization.