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 Homestead Act gave settlers 500 acres of free land.
Corrected: The Homestead Act gave settlers 160 acres of free land.
The corrected sentence is: "The Homestead Act gave settlers 160 acres of free land." The error was factual error — the Homestead Act offered 160 acres, not 500: the original sentence "The Homestead Act gave settlers 500 acres of free land." needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Most pioneer families traveled west by steamship.
Corrected: Most pioneer families traveled west by covered wagon.
The corrected sentence is: "Most pioneer families traveled west by covered wagon." The error was factual error — pioneers used covered wagons, not steamships: the original sentence "Most pioneer families traveled west by steamship." needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1845.
Corrected: The Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1869.
The corrected sentence is: "The Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1869." The error was factual error — the railroad was completed in 1869, not 1845: the original sentence "The Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1845." needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Pioneer homes on the Great Plains were often built from blocks of sod.
The answer is "sod." With almost no trees on the Great Plains, pioneers cut thick chunks of sod (grass-covered soil) and stacked them like bricks to build sturdy homes.
2. To keep their Homestead land, settlers had to live on it for five years.
The answer is "five." The Homestead Act required settlers to farm and live on their claim for five full years before they could own the land outright.
3. The Pony Express carried mail quickly between Missouri and California.
The answer is "Express." The Pony Express used relay riders on horseback to deliver mail between Missouri and California in about ten days, far faster than stagecoach routes.
4. The Oregon Trail ended in the Willamette Valley of present-day Oregon.
The answer is "Willamette." Settlers traveled roughly 2,000 miles along the Oregon Trail to reach the fertile Willamette Valley, which offered rich farmland and a mild climate.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Why did many families decide to move west under the Homestead Act?
Sample answer: The Homestead Act offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who would farm it and live on it for five years. Many families wanted the chance to own land and start a new life.
A good answer includes: The Homestead Act offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who would farm it and live on it for five years. Many families wanted the chance to own land and start a new life.
2. What challenges did pioneer families face when building homes on the Great Plains?
Sample answer: There were very few trees on the plains, so pioneers had to build sod houses from blocks of dirt and grass. They also faced harsh winters, droughts, and insect swarms.
A good answer includes: There were very few trees on the plains, so pioneers had to build sod houses from blocks of dirt and grass. They also faced harsh winters, droughts, and insect swarms.