Transcontinental Railroad History

Transcontinental Railroad History

Assessment

Interactive Video

History, Geography, Science

7th - 12th Grade

Hard

Created by

Aiden Montgomery

FREE Resource

In 1865, the vast Great Plains were a wilderness dividing America. To unite the East and West, President Lincoln approved a transcontinental railroad. This ambitious project faced immense challenges, including the Sierra Nevada mountains. Visionary Theodore Judah plotted a path, and construction began with laborers, including many Chinese workers, facing harsh conditions. Despite obstacles, the railroad was completed in 1869, transforming America by reducing cross-country travel from six months to six days.

Read more

10 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the primary reason for building the transcontinental railroad?

To unite the East and West of America

To create jobs for Civil War veterans

To improve trade with Europe

To explore the Great Plains

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Who was the key figure in plotting the path through the Sierra Nevada mountains?

James Howden

Theodore Judah

Hung Lay Wo

President Lincoln

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the government's solution to fund the railroad construction?

Borrowing from Europe

Raising taxes

Paying in federal land

Issuing bonds

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the main challenge faced by workers at the Donner Pass?

Extreme heat

Wild animal attacks

Lack of food supplies

Heavy snowfall and avalanches

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the estimated cost of the transcontinental railroad in modern money?

One billion dollars

Two billion dollars

Three billion dollars

Four billion dollars

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

Why were Chinese laborers chosen to work on the railroad?

They had experience building the Great Wall

They were considered more skilled than Americans

They were the only available workforce

They demanded higher wages

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What was the role of nitroglycerin in the construction of the railroad?

To power locomotives

To clear snow from tracks

To blast through tough granite

To build bridges

Create a free account and access millions of resources

Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
or continue with
Microsoft
Apple
Others
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Already have an account?