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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 many miles would the cutoff save them?
(a) 30
(b) 400
(c) 750
(d) 100

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

3. How did Pike die?
(a) He died of illness.
(b) He died of infection.
(c) He was murdered.
(d) His pistol accidentally fired off as he reloaded it.

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

5. What reputation did the 40 mile desert have?
(a) It was forgiving for a desert.
(b) It was a graveyard for abandoned wagons.
(c) It was more beautiful than other deserts.
(d) It was a death trap.

Short Answer Questions

1. What wild animal almost broke into the camp?

2. What was the first bit of trouble the Donner Party encountered?

3. Why did Reed kill Snyder?

4. How many states were in the Union in the spring of 1846?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Virginia's father choose to take his family to California?

2. Describe what would eventually become known as the Pioneer Palace Car.

3. How many miles a day did the Donner Party plan to go, and what with their actual pace?

4. How did the women feel about the decision, and how was their opinion factored in?

5. What was crossing the desert like?

6. What type of obstacles did people on wagon trains frequently have to face?

7. How did the Reed wagons do on the journey?

8. How did Charles Stanton helped the traveling party?

9. Why did each family have three wagons?

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

(see the answer keys)

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