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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. With what did the settlers beat back fires from their houses?

2. Many settlers found strength in ____________ when hardships came their way.

3. Many times the prairie could be a/an ____________ place.

4. What was the method of transportation chosen by single people or small families to get to Kansas?

5. Sarah White and _______________ were two young white women captured by Indians.

Short Essay Questions

1. What natural threats were ever present for prairie families?

2. Prior to the mid 19th century, as what was Kansas known and what happened in 1854 to change that?

3. Describe the devastation of "The Grasshopper Year" in 1874.

4. What were the major diseases that plagued the homesteaders and what role did women play in health care?

5. What was the priority of the homesteaders upon arriving at their land?

6. Explain the roles of children in the prairie family.

7. What did pioneer children do to amuse themselves?

8. What was the pioneer family's priority after establishing its homestead?

9. Describe what the pioneers would do on their favorite holiday.

10. Explain "water witching."

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why the accounts of the Kansas pioneer women had been overlooked for so many years. What value do they have for historians and students today? What value will you take away from this literary experience? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Name at least three environmental catastrophes that plagued the Kansas homesteaders. Then cite the reasons why each catastrophe was so devastating to the pioneers. If there were any preventative measures employed by the pioneers, state those also in your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how a frontier town was established. Where was it most likely to be located? What were the typical establishments in a frontier town? Why were frontier towns so volatile?

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This section contains 934 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample