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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What book did Reed and Donner use for guidance?
(a) California or Bust
(b) The Emigrants' Guide to Oregon and California
(c) Go West, Young Man - Memoirs of Daniel Boone
(d) The Oregon Trail

2. How did Patrick Breen contribute to the fires at night?
(a) He shared his coal.
(b) He told tales.
(c) He chopped firewood.
(d) He played the violin.

3. How did Reed react to Clyman's message?
(a) He told everyone they should move out as quickly as possible.
(b) He started making weapons.
(c) He hugged the man for the good news.
(d) He brushed off the warnings.

4. What did Stanton recommend that the group do before crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains?
(a) Rest
(b) Pray
(c) Grab more water
(d) Eat

5. What wild animal almost broke into the camp?
(a) Hog
(b) Buffalo
(c) Wolf
(d) Bear

6. What happened to Virginia's aunt according to her stories?
(a) She fought against the Indians.
(b) She became an Indian princess.
(c) She was held hostage by Indians.
(d) She learned how to become a tracker from the Indians.

7. How long did it take the group to prepare to travel?
(a) A week
(b) Several months
(c) Two years
(d) Two days

8. What West Hastings' occupation?
(a) Shopkeeper
(b) Accountant
(c) Doctor
(d) Lawyer

9. What did the first group find that pioneers had left the winter before?
(a) A cabin
(b) Maps
(c) Food
(d) Weapons

10. What reputation did the 40 mile desert have?
(a) It was a death trap.
(b) It was a graveyard for abandoned wagons.
(c) It was more beautiful than other deserts.
(d) It was forgiving for a desert.

11. How did the Native Americans describe the Sierra Nevada?
(a) The protective wall
(b) Entry to a new world
(c) Rock upon rock
(d) Beauty and tragedy

12. What happened to Mr. Wolfinger?
(a) He went off to find help.
(b) He was found murdered.
(c) He became ill.
(d) He died from an infection on his leg.

13. How many people were in the group when it was at its full strength?
(a) 87
(b) 142
(c) 63
(d) 41

14. What did James Clyman tell the travelers?
(a) There were hostile Indians up ahead.
(b) He told them to stay away from the Hastings shortcut.
(c) The shortcut was clear for them.
(d) The weather was perfect for travel.

15. Where was the family going to move to?
(a) Texas
(b) Oregon
(c) Missouri
(d) California

Short Answer Questions

1. What did the travelers eat for lunch?

2. Who possessed the west?

3. What was the hardest part of the trip?

4. How far into the established route did Hastings Cutoff appear?

5. What happened to the letters that Bryant sent Reed?

(see the answer keys)

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