SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 43

The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-06 was the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Thomas Jefferson. The success of that incredible project owes much to its two leaders, the scientific-minded Meriwether Lewis and the more practical-minded William Clark. What they accomplished—basically opening up all the possibilities of the vast land west of the Mississippi River to the people of the United States—has rightly been called one of the great achievements of exploration. But Lewis and Clark did not do it alone. Their most famous assistant during the transcontinental journey was a young Indian woman whose life remains largely a mystery but whose legend lives on as strong as ever—Sacagawea.

Early twentieth-century historians tended to glorify her role. Morerecent writers, however, tend to minimize her contribution, and even adopt a somewhat negative view of her assistance to the explorers. The truth no doubt lies somewhere in between. It certainly was not the "Sacagawea Expedition". She did not guide Captains Lewis and Clark all the way to the Pacific Ocean. But she did know some of the geography they passed through, and she did interpret for them when they came across Shoshone-speaking Indians. The U.S. government has not overlooked her accomplishments. A Sacagawea one-dollar coin is expected to replace the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin.

-Quig Nielsen

1. The passage is mainly about

• A. the strengths and limitations of a famous expedition.
• B. the role of Native Americans in U.S. exploration.
• C. the historical accomplishments of Lewis and Clark.
• D. the realization of a vision by President Jefferson.
• E. the extent to which Sacagawea helped an expedition.

2. According to the passage, it is reasonable to assume that

• A. Susan B. Anthony was of Native American ancestry.
• B. Lewis and Clark had different thinking styles.
• C. Early historians were very critical of Sacagawea.
• D. William Clark had visited the Pacific many times.
• E. Meriwether Lewis was born in Mississippi.

3. Which of the following is mentioned as a major accomplishment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

• A. It led to the discovery of the Pacific Ocean.
• B. It opened up trade relations with Native Americans.
• C. It charted unexplored land west of the Mississippi.
• D. It helped Americans learn the Shoshone language.
• E. It assisted the political career of Thomas Jefferson.

4. According to the passage, Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark in which of the following ways?

I. She allowed passage through restricted Indian land.

II. She bridged a language barrier with Native Indians.

III. She was familiar with some of the land they traveled.

• A. II only
• B. I and II only
• C. I and III only
• D. II and III only
• E. I, II and III

5. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the view held by "recent writers" (last paragraph) of Sacagawea?

• A. A journal entry by William Clark crediting Sacagawea.
• B. Sacagawea was not actually a member of the Shoshone tribe.
• C. A decision to not place Sacagawea on the one-dollar coin.
• D. Sacagawea had previously helped other American explorers.
• E. Hard evidence that Sacagawea was born near the Pacific Ocean.