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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why did Bridger promote the shortcut?
(a) He believed in Hastings.
(b) He was desperate for the business it would bring as people passed by his trading post.
(c) He heard good things about it.
(d) He had been on it himself and thought it was a wise plan.

2. How long did it take the group to prepare to travel?
(a) Several months
(b) A week
(c) Two years
(d) Two days

3. What did the travelers do before they headed across the desert?
(a) They prayed.
(b) They made hats to protect themselves from sand and sun.
(c) They rested for a few days in the beautiful valley.
(d) They wrote letters to send back to their relatives.

4. Why did they decide to take the cutoff?
(a) They didn't like the people going the other route.
(b) It was what they planned all along.
(c) Hastings joined them so they had a guide.
(d) They had a group vote, but they didn't allow the women to vote.

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

6. Why did Sarah Keyes join the wagon train?
(a) She would have been homeless if she stayed there.
(b) She was ready for a new adventure.
(c) She wanted to see her son who lived out west.
(d) She couldn't bear the thought of having her grandchildren leave her.

7. How many states were in the Union in the spring of 1846?
(a) 13
(b) 28
(c) 52
(d) 20

8. What was used to wash the dishes?
(a) Sand or gritty dirt
(b) They never washed dishes.
(c) Soap and water
(d) They were wiped out with leaves.

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

10. Who helped with the chores?
(a) Everyone over the age of five
(b) Grandma
(c) Only the men
(d) Only the women

11. What did the children suck on to bring forth saliva?
(a) Their fingers
(b) Rock candy
(c) Stones
(d) Flattened bullets

12. What was George Donner's occupation?
(a) He ran a grocery store.
(b) Farmer
(c) He ran mills and made furniture.
(d) Lawyer

13. Where was James Reed from originally?
(a) Missouri
(b) North Carolina
(c) New York
(d) Ireland

14. Why did Reed kill Snyder?
(a) Snyder was stealing from his family.
(b) He hated the man.
(c) Snyder attacked his wife.
(d) It was an act of self-defense.

15. What did the book they follow mostly consist of?
(a) Advice for travel
(b) Weather reports
(c) Packing lists
(d) Propaganda

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Hastings promise the Donner Party in his letter?

2. What happened to Virginia's aunt according to her stories?

3. How deep was the snow by the time they reached Truckee Lake?

4. What was James Reed's occupation?

5. What book did Reed and Donner use for guidance?

(see the answer keys)

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