Rethinking Jamestown

Which of the following statements best captures a central theme shared by Blood on the River and Rethinking Jamestown?

• The Jamestown settlers’ survival was largely due to their reliance on Native American assistance.

•  The struggles of the Jamestown colony were driven by poor leadership and insufficient resources.

•  The success of the Jamestown colony was guaranteed from the beginning due to careful planning.

•  Religion played a central role in the success of the Jamestown colony, according to both texts.

How is Rethinking Jamestown different from the portrayal of the Jamestown colony in Blood on the River?

• Rethinking Jamestown emphasizes the positive impact of the Native American relationship, while Blood on the River focuses on the negative aspects.

• Rethinking Jamestown provides a factual, historical perspective that corrects myths and misconceptions presented in Blood on the River.

• Blood on the River presents a purely historical account, while Rethinking Jamestown is more fictionalized in nature.

• Rethinking Jamestown supports the idea that the settlers' problems were due to their failure to follow English traditions, a view not supported by Blood on the River.

Which statement best conveys the central argument of the passage?

• The English settlers at Jamestown suffered due to their own poor decision-making.

•  The Jamestown colony initially failed because settlers were unprepared and lacked motivation.

•  New archaeological and climate evidence suggest that environmental factors, rather than incompetence, caused Jamestown’s struggles.

• The Powhatan people withheld food from the settlers, causing the collapse of the colony.

What was the initial belief about the settlers of Jamestown before recent archaeological findings?

• They were skilled farmers who thrived in the wilderness.  

• They were lazy and unprepared, interested only in finding gold.  

• They formed strong alliances with Native American tribes.  

• They faced no significant challenges in their new colony.  

Which statement from the passage provides evidence for the idea that the settlers actively worked to survive in Jamestown?

• "Many of the colonists fell ill, while others starved."

• "The lack of rain caused crops to fail."

• "Archaeologists have uncovered physical evidence that challenges these ideas."

• "These artifacts prove that the colonists were not simply wasting time searching for gold."

What can be inferred about the impact of the drought on the relationships between the settlers and the Powhatan people?

• The drought made the settlers more dependent on the Powhatan for food.

• The drought had no effect on their relationships.

• The drought improved trade between the two groups.

• The drought caused the Powhatan to trust the settlers more.

Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the settlers' initial expectations for the Jamestown location?

• They believed it would provide abundant food and fresh water.

• They thought they would have no conflicts with Native Americans.

• They expected it to be a secure and prosperous site for settlement.

• They were unsure about the area's potential for survival.

What evidence did archaeologists find that indicated the settlers faced dire circumstances during "The Starving Time"?

• Pottery from Native Americans

• Bones of animals they had eaten

• Tools for farming and hunting

• Gold and jewelry

What did archaeologists discover that contradicted the belief that settlers were lazy?

• Evidence of advanced cooking techniques

• Artifacts showing they were engaged in various industries

• Records of their gold discoveries

• Documents proving they traded with Spain

According to the passage, which of the following factors contributed to the hardships faced by the Jamestown settlers?

• Poor planning and lack of farming knowledge

• Scarce resources and friendly Native Americans

• The location being ideal for settlement

• A well-established government system