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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 men do to the wagon wheels after crossing the Platte?

2. How did Tamsen Donner women feel about the trip?

3. How did the Murphy clan and the Reeds and Donners get along?

4. How many people were in the group when it was at its full strength?

5. What did the children suck on to bring forth saliva?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What happened to Mr. Hardcoop?

3. What was the Forty Mile Desert like?

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

5. What did the Donner party find when they emerged from the Cutoff?

6. What happened to James Reed after he killed Snyder?

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

8. Why was Independence, Missouri so famous?

9. What did Clyman talk to Reed about?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How were the members of the Donner Party betrayed by people along the way? Cite at least two examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Why was Virginia so concerned about Indians? Were her worries valid? What was the Donner Party's experience with Indians the first time they came across them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 602 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample