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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What did James Clyman tell the travelers?
(a) He told them to stay away from the Hastings shortcut.
(b) The weather was perfect for travel.
(c) There were hostile Indians up ahead.
(d) The shortcut was clear for them.

4. What did the families do in the evening?
(a) They hunted.
(b) They went to bed very early.
(c) Relaxed
(d) Prepared for the next day.

5. How many people were in the group when it was at its full strength?
(a) 41
(b) 87
(c) 63
(d) 142

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

7. What did the travelers encounter as they climbed the Sierra Nevada?
(a) A burning sun
(b) Illness
(c) New friendships with the Native Americans
(d) Snow

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

9. Where was the family going to move to?
(a) California
(b) Texas
(c) Oregon
(d) Missouri

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

11. How close were the travelers to the summit when they decided to rest and got snowed in?
(a) 1/4 mile
(b) Three miles
(c) 20 miles
(d) 50 miles

12. What is caching, according to the emigrants?
(a) Removing furniture and burying it to prevent theft
(b) Dumping items out of the wagon
(c) Storing food they found on the trail
(d) Putting food aside in rations

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

14. How did Reed react to Clyman's message?
(a) He hugged the man for the good news.
(b) He brushed off the warnings.
(c) He started making weapons.
(d) He told everyone they should move out as quickly as possible.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What happened to 13-year-old Edward Breen?

2. Where did the children sleep?

3. How many times had George Donner emigrated?

4. Who helped with the chores?

5. What reputation did the 40 mile desert have?

(see the answer keys)

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