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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. What was Reed going on to do?
(a) Get food for the travelers
(b) Negotiate with the Indians
(c) Find Hastings
(d) He was racing ahead to bring back help.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why did Sarah Keyes join the wagon train?

2. When did the group reach the Humboldt Sink?

3. How many times had George Donner emigrated?

4. What did the travelers encounter as they climbed the Sierra Nevada?

5. What was in the middle of the desert?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did the families do in the evenings?

2. What happened to the oxen during the six days it took to get through the desert?

3. What happened to Mr. Hardcoop?

4. Why was Independence, Missouri so famous?

5. How did the Native American treat William Eddy?

6. What did Clyman talk to Reed about?

7. What was "The Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California" like?

8. What happened to the group as they reached near the summit of Sierra Nevada?

9. Even though Hastings didn't meet them at the Fort, why did they continue to go on to take the Cutoff?

10. What was crossing the desert like?

(see the answer keys)

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