Grasshopper Plague of 1874

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1. Part A What is the meaning of the word descended as it is used in paragraph 2 of “Grasshopper Plague of 1874”?

• A. surprised
• B. destroyed
• C. came down
• D. went below

2. Part B Which evidence from paragraph 2 best helps the reader understand the meaning of descended?

• A. “. . . began in late July when without warning . . .”
• B. “. . . arrived in swarms so large they blocked out the Sun . . .”
• C. “. . . were eaten out of the ground . . .”
• D. “. . . have been several inches deep on the ground . . .”

3. Part A Select a statement that includes main ideas of “Grasshopper Plague of 1874.”

• A. Many farmers found ways to fight the grasshopper invasion, and newer farms suffered more than older farms.
• B. Grasshoppers were thick on the ground, and trains had difficulty because the rails were slippery.
• C. The grasshoppers only stayed for a few days, and western Kansas was hit harder than anywhere else.
• D. People asked for help after the grasshopper invasion, and grain was provided for planting.

3. Part B Which two details from the passage support the answer to Part A?

• C. “Inventive citizens built hopper dozers. . . .” (paragraph 3)
• D. “. . . areas hit the worst were where most of the settlers were new arrivals. . . .” (paragraph 4)
• A. “. . . hopes of finding inexpensive land and a better life.” (paragraph 1)
• B. “. . . reported to have been several inches deep . . .” (paragraph 2)
• E. “The legislature determined that it did not have the power. . . .” (paragraph 5)

4. Select two sentences from paragraph 5 that best support the author’s point that the government considered whether it could assist the settlers.

• " In September the governor convened an extra session of the legislature hoping to find a way to help Kansans survive the calamity."
• "The legislature determined that it did not have the power to take money directly from the state's treasury to help with the emergency."
• "The plea for help went across America."
• "Soon aid for the destitute Kansans began to arrive."
• "Railroads provided free transportation of the barrels, boxes, and bales of supplies such as beans, pork, and rice."

How did the people of Kansas try to stop the grasshoppers? Write in complete sentences describing the efforts that were taken.

Which of the following was a consequence of the grasshopper plague in Kansas?

• increased population growth
• development of new agricultural technology
• destruction of crops and food shortages
• improved trade with neighboring states

What did the settlers primarily rely on for survival during the grasshopper plague?

• community support and resource sharing
• hunting and gathering
• government aid
• importing food from other states

What was one method settlers used to protect their crops from grasshoppers?

• installing electric fences
• building scarecrows
• planting more trees
• using hopper dozers