Westward Expansion — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The Oregon Trail was a short 200-mile route to the West.
Corrected: The Oregon Trail was a long 2,000-mile route to the West.
The corrected sentence is: "The Oregon Trail was a long 2,000-mile route to the West.". The original sentence "The Oregon Trail was a short 200-mile route to the West." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Gold was discovered in California in 1869 at Sutters Mill.
Corrected: Gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutters Mill.
The corrected sentence is: "Gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutters Mill.". The original sentence "Gold was discovered in California in 1869 at Sutters Mill." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
People who rushed to California for gold were called settlers.
Corrected: People who rushed to California for gold were called 49ers.
The corrected sentence is: "People who rushed to California for gold were called 49ers.". The original sentence "People who rushed to California for gold were called settlers." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Pioneers traveled west in covered wagons along the Oregon Trail.
Covered wagons (also called prairie schooners) were the primary transportation for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.
2. California became a state in the year 1850.
California's population boomed during the Gold Rush. It was admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.
3. The biggest dangers on the Oregon Trail were disease and bad weather.
Disease (cholera was the deadliest killer) and extreme weather were the main hazards of the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail.
4. James Marshall discovered gold at Sutters Mill in California.
James Marshall discovered gold flakes in the American River at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why did thousands of people travel to California in 1849?
Sample answer: Gold was discovered at Sutters Mill in 1848, and people rushed to California hoping to find gold and become wealthy. They were called 49ers.
The California Gold Rush brought over 300,000 people to California by 1855.
2. What hardships did families face on the Oregon Trail?
Sample answer: Families faced disease, harsh weather, rough terrain, limited food and water, and the journey took many months in covered wagons.
An estimated 1 in 10 pioneers died on the trail, mostly from disease.