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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How do people get across the great Salt Lake Desert in today's world?
(a) Stagecoach
(b) Interstate 80
(c) On country roads
(d) Walking

2. What did the Donners find along the trail when the groups were split up?
(a) The body of a man from Hastings' party
(b) Reed's body
(c) Berries
(d) Belongings from other wagon trains

3. What was the Reed wagon later called?
(a) Old Reliable
(b) Little One
(c) A monstrosity
(d) Pioneer Palace Car

4. How did the Reed women feel about the trip?
(a) It was going much better than they expected.
(b) They were very excited about the adventure.
(c) They braced themselves for the harshness of it.
(d) They thought they would regret it.

5. What did Stanton recommend that the group do before crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains?
(a) Pray
(b) Grab more water
(c) Eat
(d) Rest

6. What happened to 13-year-old Edward Breen?
(a) He was lost.
(b) He died from illness.
(c) He was murdered.
(d) He fell off his horse and broke his leg.

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

8. What was the Hastings Cutoff trail like?
(a) It was barely discernible.
(b) It was marked by Hastings.
(c) It was a clear path.
(d) It was beautiful every step of the way.

9. How did the Native Americans describe the Sierra Nevada?
(a) The protective wall
(b) Rock upon rock
(c) Entry to a new world
(d) Beauty and tragedy

10. How long did the travelers expect to be in the Great Salt Lake Desert?
(a) 1 very long and hard day
(b) 14 days
(c) 7-8 days
(d) 3-4 days

11. What did the travelers use instead of firewood to keep their fires going?
(a) Straw
(b) Coal
(c) Buffalo dung
(d) Paraffin wax

12. Who possessed the west?
(a) England
(b) Native Americans
(c) Mexico
(d) Californians

13. Where did the children sleep?
(a) On Grandma's bed
(b) Under the wagon
(c) In a second story loft
(d) Around the campfire

14. How fast was the Donner Party moving along the Humboldt?
(a) 20 miles a day
(b) 15 miles a day
(c) 2 miles a day
(d) 10 miles a day

15. What happened to James Reed after he killed Snyder?
(a) Nothing
(b) He was hung.
(c) He had to bury Snyder as punishment.
(d) He was banished.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What was used to wash the dishes?

3. What did Reed want out west?

4. Why didn't the Donner Party see other travelers?

5. What reputation did the 40 mile desert have?

(see the answer keys)

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