View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How many times did the company end up fording the Truckee River?
(a) At least 22 times
(b) Twice
(c) At least 30 times
(d) 5 times

3. 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.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What reputation did the 40 mile desert have?

2. What did the travelers use instead of firewood to keep their fires going?

3. Why did they decide to take the cutoff?

4. What was the Hastings Cutoff trail like?

5. When did they think the summit would be snowed in?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was crossing the desert like?

2. What happened to Mr. Hardcoop?

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

4. What happened to John Snyder when his oxen team's yolks got tangled?

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

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

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

8. What did the note that Hastings left tell the travelers? Was his statement valid?

9. How were tasks divvied up on the wagon train?

10. Explain the idea behind "manifest destiny."

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 713 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample