According to the passage about western Kansas and the author's memories of the prairie, what does the author feel proud about?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks whether you can pick out a direct statement from the passage. Near the end of the text, the author clearly states what makes her feel proud, linking it to her identity and origin on the plains of western Kansas.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The author talks about the romantic quality of the land and feeling moved by its expanse.
• She mentions that she feels enthralled by the size of the plains.
• She explicitly says that she takes pride in her identity as a plains daughter.
• Plains daughter refers to someone who comes from or belongs to the plains region.

Concept / Approach:
For such questions, it is important to focus on exact wording rather than overinterpret. The phrase plains daughter clearly indicates pride in being from the plains, which corresponds to being a native of Kansas in the context of the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the sentence in which the author mentions pride. Step 2: Note the expression I take pride in my identity as a plains daughter. Step 3: Interpret plains daughter as meaning someone whose origins lie in the plains, specifically western Kansas. Step 4: Match this understanding with the given options. Step 5: Select being a native of Kansas as the best match.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check whether the author mentions pride in being an American or in seeing romantic qualities. She does not state pride in those terms. The only explicit pride is linked to identity as a plains daughter, which clearly points to being from that region.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Being an American: The text does not mention national identity at all.
Being able to see the romantic quality of the land: The author does value this, but she does not say she takes pride in it; it is presented as a feeling, not as a source of pride.
The ability to unite well: No reference is made to unity or social cohesion; this option is unrelated to the passage.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students generalise pride to patriotism and assume the author is proud of being American. Others focus only on the romantic description and miss the exact phrase plains daughter, which is central to the answer.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is being a native of Kansas, because the author explicitly states taking pride in the identity as a plains daughter, meaning someone from the Kansas plains.