Horse Heroes

What detail supports the inference that it was dangerous for the Pony Express traveling through Indian territory?

• “It cut down the time taken for mail to reach California to

  just eight days.”

• “‘Pony rider coming!’”

• “declared war on the invaders”

• “it was possible for the East and West coasts to keep

  in touch.”

In the following sentence, what is the meaning of the word “relay” ?

“The Pony Express was a horse relay designed to keep the mail moving day and night.”

• a race between teams of riders

• a special system of roads

• a passing along by stages

• a parade of horses and riders

What context clue helped you determine the meaning of the word "relay"?

• “Express”

• “keep the mail moving”

• “day and night.”

• “designed”

In the following sentence, what is meaning of the phrase “keep in touch” ?

“The success of the Pony Express teams proved that it was possible for the East and West coasts to keep in touch.”

• stay in contact

• outdo one another

• compete

• exist

What is the meaning of the word “ambush” in the passage?

• a celebration

• a surprise attack

• train whistle

• war chant

What does the word “mount” mean as it is used in the passage?

• a high hill or mountain

• an important project

• a supporting structure

• an animal used for riding

Choose the statement that is an opinion.

• “There were 157 relay stations,”

• “The final stop was Sacramento, California.”

• “One of the bravest riders was ‘Pony Bob’ Haslam.”

• “The Pony Express was a horse relay”

From the reading about the Pony Express, you can draw which inference about the riders?

• They were all over thirty.

• They were in good physical shape.

• They came from the East Coast.

• Most did not survive the job.

Which text detail best supports that the Pony Express was a milestone, or important advance, toward modern America?

• “The horses and riders that ran the Pony Express were real pioneers.”

• “galloped at top speed to the next station.”

• “bringing them their mail and newspapers.”

• “It cut down the time taken for mail to reach California to just eight days.”

Which event happened first in the passage?

• Haslam convinces station keeper to leave

• Haslam discovers dead keeper at Nevada Station

• Station is attacked the following evening

• Haslam heads to station many miles away