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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. What did Powell find at Bright Angel River?

2. What is Sierra Escalante named after?

3. What did the men take from the Indian garden they found on August 26th?

4. Why might the expedition have to be cut short in Chapter XI?

5. Who lead the cult societies within clans?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the men find on July 29th?

2. Describe the rain ceremony Powell observed.

3. What made the crew sick at the beginning of Chapter IX?

4. Who did they meet at the end of Chapter VIII?

5. In Chapter XI, the boats were able to travel faster. Why?

6. Why did Powell not include a vivid description of the Grand Canyon in Chapter XIII?

7. After the crew left the Canyon of Desolation, what were the names of the features of the river in Chapter IX?

8. In mid July, how many months of rations did they have left? Why?

9. Describe the features of Glen Canyon.

10. How many men continued on after September 1st? What did the others do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book there are many instances where the group worked together as a team to survive the dangerous rapids. In particular, they worked as a team to get their boats over falls by using lines. Using examples from the text, analyze the importance of teamwork as shown in The Exploration of the of Colorado River and Its Canyons.

Essay Topic 2

Along the first trip down the Colorado, three men decide to leave Powell's party. In an essay, examine this scene and analyze the decisions made to stay or leave. What factors played a role in the decision making process? Do you agree with the decision?

Essay Topic 3

Powell's Colorado River expedition was unique in its purpose: to explore the Colorado and Green Rivers. These expeditions differed from others exploratory missions. How was Powell's exploration different than previous explorers in the same time period? Consider the role the government played, political motivations, purpose, and funding sources.

(see the answer keys)

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