What is it about these stories that made me read them over and over? i've never been to the dakotas, where the wilder book is set, and i've only driven through the catskills. yet something about these stories is universal. they are about survival, which everyone can relate to on some level. they are also about ordinary people who find themselves in difficult circumstances. we can all relate to that, too. but what keeps me and countless others coming back to the books is that incredible feeling of joy when the character triumphs over nature and survives in spite of the odds. it always makes me want to stand up and cheer. i find these books to be sources of comfort, as well. they tell me that if i were ever to get into such life-and-death circumstances, i could depend on my own wits and intelligence to get me through.

in the last paragraph, why does the author use the word "universal" to describe the stories?
a.
to make it seem like the author's opinion is really a fact
b.
to give the sense that there are millions of stories to be read
c.
to convince the reader that the author is an expert
d.
to suggest that survival stories can be enjoyed by everyone