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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 3.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did the men do to the wagon wheels after crossing the Platte?
(a) They sanded them down.
(b) They re-greased and re-set them.
(c) They added metal to them.
(d) They completely dried them out.

2. When did James Reed think they would hit the Sierra Nevada?
(a) By January
(b) By October
(c) By September
(d) By July

3. How did the Murphy clan and the Reeds and Donners get along?
(a) They seemed wary of each other.
(b) They were outrightly hostile to each other.
(c) They were like a big family.
(d) They were constantly bickering.

4. What did the note from Hastings on the stick say?
(a) He told them to turn around and go back.
(b) The trail ahead was very bad, and they should wait for Hastings.
(c) He said he would be with them shortly.
(d) His party had gotten ill so they were delayed.

5. Independence, Missouri known for all of these except what?
(a) It was the crossroads for pioneers heading west to Oregon.
(b) It was the crossroads for pioneers heading west to California.
(c) It was the crossroads for pioneers heading south along the Santa Fe Trail.
(d) It was the crossroads for pioneers heading east to New York.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the Hastings Cutoff trail like?

2. How fast was the Donner Party moving as they blazed through the Wasatch?

3. What did the travelers use instead of firewood to keep their fires going?

4. What wild animal almost broke into the camp?

5. What was George Donner's occupation?

(see the answer key)

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