View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How close were the travelers to the summit when they decided to rest and got snowed in?

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

4. How with the group feeling by the time they reached the shore of the Great Salt Lake?

5. How old was Virginia Elizabeth Backenstoe Reed when the family left Illinois?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the Forty Mile Desert like?

2. How did the Native American treat William Eddy?

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

4. How did Virginia feel about her traveling clothes?

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

6. What happened to Mr. Hardcoop?

7. What did the families do in the evenings?

8. Why was Independence, Missouri so famous?

9. What did Clyman talk to Reed about?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in detail why James Reed was banished and what the team promised to his family. Then comment on how they treated the family in actuality.

Essay Topic 2

How did the journey to Independence, Missouri go, and what held them up? How did they feel about reaching the city?

Essay Topic 3

How has the story of the Donner Party affected people throughout history? Why is it pertinent to today's world?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 532 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample