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California Trail

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Throughout the passage, it tells us about the dangers and harsh conditions of the California Trail. Although the author talks a lot about the Trail, the main idea of this passage is

a)

Pioneers traveled west to find gold

b)

Pioneers wanted more land

c)

Wagon camps were dangerous at night

d)

Pioneers were brave and strong people that helped America grow

2.

How is the word "settled" used in the passage?

a)

To stop running around

b)

To travel back and forth

c)

start a new life and build a home

d)

Moving from place to place

3.

What is meant by the "American frontier"?

a)

Near Mexico

b)

East of the Mississippi

c)

the undeveloped land in the west that the pioneers traveled to

d)

Near Canada

4.

The passage is a non-fiction text, that is based on proven events and information. Which word best describes the type of evidence this passage uses?

a)

Opinions

b)

Facts

c)

Fairytales

d)

Fables

5.

The pioneers were brave but foolish people

a)

True

b)

False

6.

The California Trail was the deadliest pioneer trair.

a)

False

b)

True

7.

The pioneers strengthened America with their bravery

a)

True

b)

False

8.

Not many pioneers traveled west

a)

True

b)

False

9.

Which is the main idea of the passage?

a)

The landscape of the California Trail was harsh.

b)

Pioneers traveled west mostly for land.

c)

America's frontiers were settled by brave, strong people.

d)

Wagon trains were a dangerous way to travel.

10.

Which type of evidence does the author use


most


in the passage?

a)

personal opinions

b)

expert opinions

c)

stories

d)

facts

11.

Select a claim that the author makes in the passage.

a)

The pioneers were brave but foolish people.

b)

The California Trail was the deadliest pioneer trail.

c)

The pioneers strengthened America with their bravery.

d)

The California Trail had the fewest people on it.

12.

Read these sentences from paragraph 3.


"The water easily tipped the wagons over. This caused both people and oxen to drown."


Which claim is supported by these sentences?

a)

Pioneers had to travel in wagons pulled by oxen.

b)

The California Trail was very dangerous.

c)

Only brave, strong people traveled the California Trail.

d)

Pioneers were not prepared for the journey.

13.

Why is paragraph 4 important to the passage?

a)

It shows the health risks of traveling the California Trail.

b)

It emphasizes what a dangerous disease cholera is.

c)

It describes what being sick in a wagon camp was like.

d)

It lists every disease that pioneers faced on the California Trail.

14.

According to the passage, what was the government's role in settling the American frontier?

a)

The government built most of the California Trail.

b)

The government gave gold to people who moved west.

c)

The government offered land to the pioneers

d)

The government set up camps along the California Trail.

15.

Which detail does the author discuss first in the passage?

a)

Pioneers had to sell most their belongings to make the trip.

b)

Crossing a river along the trail could be dangerous

c)

Many pioneers started the trail near the Missouri River

d)

Diseases spread easily throughout camps along the trail.