The Story of the Pony Express

What is the relationship between paragraph 1 and paragraph 6 in the passage?

• Both paragraphs describe the spirit embodied by the Pony Express riders.

• Both paragraphs emphasize the speed and expertise of the riders.

• Both paragraphs describe the excitement of citizens at both ends of the route.

• Both paragraphs stress that the riders were experts at traveling on water as well as on land.

Which detail from paragraph 1 describes the excitement of citizens at the end of the route.

• "A pause of seconds, and a cannon booms in the distance..."

• "The rider leaps to his saddle and starts."

• "A ferry boat under a full head of steam is waiting."

• "The crowd behind breaks into tumultuous applause."

Which detail from paragraph 6 describes the excitement of citizens at the end of the route.

• "...two most important towns in the far West, ..."

• "...the first outgoing and incoming mails."

• "...the eastbound mail was placed on board a steamer at San Francisco and sent up the river..."

• "...accompanied by an enthusiastic delegation of business men."

How does the author present information in the passage?

• The author begins by explaining general ideas then gives additional specific details.

• The author lists the least important ideas first then concludes with the most important ideas.

• The author describes the reaction geo graphically, starting in the east and moving to the west.

• The author gives the history chronologically from the first event that occured to the final celebration.

Which claim is presented at the beginning of the passage.

• "The rider leaps to his saddle and starts. In less than a minute he is at the post office where the letter pouch, square in the shape with four padlocked pockets, is awaiting him." (paragraph 1)

• "A ferry boat under a full head of steam is waiting. With scarcely checked speed, the horse thunders onto the deck of the craft." (paragraph 1)

• "Some scream themselves hoarse; others are strangely silent; and some- strong men- are moved to tears..." (paragraph 1)

• "The managers of the Central Overland, California and Pike's Peak Express Company had laid their plans well." (paragraph 2)

Which sentence BEST expresses a central idea of the passage?

• The Pony Express was the first mail delivery system in the United States.

• The Pony Express, despite meeting with some early criticism, became a showcase for American ingenuity.

• The Pony Express, despite the dangers its riders faced, was welcomed by the people of the West as an important addition to their lives.

• The Pony Express was a contributing factor in the increasingly poor relations between Western settlers and Plains Indians.

What does the word dissenting mean as it is used in paragraph 5?

• disrespectful

• disappointed

• disagreeing

• disbelieving

What is the relationship between paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 in the passage?

• Paragraph 4 gives supporting details to explain why many Californians planned to use the Pony Express.

• Paragraph 4 gives supporting details to explain how organized the entire Pony Express system turned out to be.

• Paragraph 4 gives supporting details to explain why Californians had conflicting points of view about the enterprise.

• Paragraph 4 gives supporting details to explain why Californias were united in their belief that the enterprise was a good thing for their state.

Select the detail from paragraph 5 that best shows its relationship to paragraph 4.

• "...the opening of the line was likewise awaited with the keenest anticipation."

• "...there had been at the outset a few dissenting opinions, ..."

• "A vast majority of the people favored the enterprise and clamored for it, ...."

• "....all classes were united in the conviction that they could not do without it."

What does the word privation mean as it is used in paragraph 4?

• division

• hardship

• tedium

• stamina