The Celestials' Railroads

The passage explains that the transcontinental railroad system would "span" the continent.

What does the word "span" mean as it is used in the passage?

• affect

• reach

• cross

• establish

Who were the “Celestials”?

• two companies that raised money to extend the railroad and mapped the new routes

• Chinese workers who were largely responsible for the first transcontinental railroad

• railroad tycoons who funded the railroad

• Charles Crocker’s office workers

What evidence from the passage best supports the idea that the Chinese workers were

treated unfairly?

• They worked for Charles Crocker.

• They left their families behind in China.

• They failed to strike it rich in the goldfields.

• They were left out of the photograph of the completed railroad.

Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

• Working on the transcontinental railroad was a popular job.

• Building the transcontinental railroad was dangerous and expensive.

• Two companies worked together to build the transcontinental railroad.

• Chinese workers played an important part in building the transcontinental railroad.

How is the information arranged in the passage?

• by presenting events in the order they happened

• by presenting questions followed by answers

• by comparing different events from the past

• by listing steps to find an answer