Skills Test #2: Nonfiction Main Idea and Summarizing

In Source 1, which sentence shows the main idea of paragraph 2?

• The project began in 1863.

• Two railroad companies worked from opposite ends.

• The Union Pacific Railroad started in Nebraska and built west.

• The Central Pacific Railroad started in California and built east.

In Source 1, which sentence shows the main idea of paragraph 4?

• It also helped businesses ship goods more easily and brought more settlers to the western U.S.

• What once took months by wagon could now be done in about a week by train.

• The Transcontinental Railroad changed the country.

• It made travel faster and safer.

How do all of the paragraphs in the source work together to provide an overall main idea for Source 1?

• All of the paragraphs talk about something different.

• All of the paragraphs give different details about the Transcontinental Railroad that tell of its history and importance.

• All of the paragraphs tell important fun facts of the Transcontinental Railroad.

• All of the paragraphs give irrelevant information about the Transcontinental Railroad.

Which railroad companies are mentioned in both sources? Select 2 answers.

• Northern Pacific

• Union Pacific

• Central Pacific

• Southern Pacific

What is the main idea of Source 2?

• The diagram shows the different railroads and the routes they took.

• The diagram shows how the builders built the railroads.

• The diagram has a picture of what the train looked like.

• The diagram has the different geographical features (mountains, rivers, etc.) marked.

What is the best summary of how the Transcontinental Railroad impacted the United States?

• It helped people explore the West but had little effect on trade.

• It made travel across the country faster, helped businesses, and connected the nation.

• It was mainly used for transporting materials to the East.

• It helped settlers reach the West, but didn't affect national growth.

Which sentence best summarizes Source 1?

• The Transcontinental Railroad helped shape the growth of the United States by improving transportation and connecting the country.

• The Transcontinental Railroad allowed people to travel quickly and was built by two companies.

• The government built a railroad to help people and goods travel more easily.

• The railroad connected the East and West, helping settlers and businesses.

Which group of immigrants DID help build the Transcontinental Railraod?

(a)   (b)  

• German

• Irish
• Chinese
• Italian

Which group of immigrants did NOT help build the Transcontinental Railroad? ​ ​ ​ ​ (a)   ​ (b)  

• Chinese
• Italian
• Irish
• German

What were some challenges workers faced while building the railroad?

• Short work shifts and poor food

• Long hours, low pay, and dangerous conditions

• Delayed trains and poor track maintenance

• Limited tools and too many workers