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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 reputation did the 40 mile desert have?

2. Why did Bridger promote the shortcut?

3. How many wagons did each family have?

4. What did Hastings promise the Donner Party in his letter?

5. Why didn't the Donner Party see other travelers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did each family have three wagons?

3. How did the Native American treat William Eddy?

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

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

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

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

8. What did the families do in the evenings?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

Explain the political situation in the United States when the Reeds decided to go to California. Where did the United States officially end and who had control of California?

Essay Topic 3

What did the travelers have to do to prepare for their journey, and how long did it take them?

(see the answer keys)

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