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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. Because Lewis' iron-frame boat failed, Clark directed the men to
(a) Walk instead of float
(b) Make new canoes
(c) Store their belongings in a cave
(d) Pack themselves into the boats they had

2. Lewis feels that Native Americans will become civilized citizens, but
(a) Wishes they would first learn how to dress
(b) Thinks it will take many centuries
(c) Hopes he will not become involved in it
(d) Does not believe African Americans will

3. France, having transferred the Louisiana Territory to the US, allows the expedition to
(a) Include foreigners in the group of explorers
(b) Purchase guns from the French
(c) Travel through American territory wihout hostility
(d) Freely trap for fur along the way

4. Lewis tells Jefferson that the Snake Indians have large quantities of
(a) Horses
(b) Furs
(c) Buffalo
(d) Corn

5. Meriwether Lewis and Thomas Jefferson's families have this in common.
(a) They smoke fresh-picked tobacco
(b) They own plantations in Virginia
(c) They are second cousins
(d) They both are avid slaveowners

Short Answer Questions

1. The voyage down the Ohio River starts out slowly because of the party's

2. Lewis hoped that the Indians would accept

3. One of the unique "new" creatures found by Clark is the

4. Mriwether Lewis gathered his specimens by

5. The strange gunshot-type noise that came regularly from the northwest

Short Essay Questions

1. What in Lewis' childhood may have contributed to his later accomplishments?

2. The trip through the Bitterroot Mountains is a particularly gruesome time or the expedition. Starvation, rough terrain, cold and illness forces the men to take desperate measures. What were they and why didn't the expedition turn back?

3. Why was it fortuitous that the group encountered the Nez Perce Indians?

4. Why is Sacagawea's presence valuable to the expedition?

5. What is Lewis' goal in trying to make peace between the Arikaras and the Mandans? Why does he involve himself in their dispute?

6. What caused the expedition's "portage" period to be longer than expected?

7. Why did the Shoshones hesitate to go with Lewis to meet Clark and help the expedition over the Lemhi River?

8. Why was Jefferson so interested in exploring the West?

9. Given that he was an educated man, how can we account for Lewis' lack of spelling ability?

10. What may have convinced Lewis and Clark that they needed to double their crew?

(see the answer keys)

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