Amid rumors that there were prehistoric mammoths wandering around the unknown
region and that somewhere in its wilds was a mountain of rock salt 80 by 45 miles in
extent, the two captains set out. The date was May 14,1801. Their point of departure
was the mouth of the Wood River, just across the Mississippi from the entrance of the
Missouri River. After toiling up the Missouri all summer , the group wintered near the
Mandan villages in the center of what is now North Dakota. Resuming their journey in
the spring of 1805. the men worked their way along the Missouri to its source and then
crossed the mountains of western Montana and Idabo. Picking up a tributary of the
Columbia River , they continued westward until they reached the Pacific Ocean, where
they stayed until the following spring.
Lewis and Clark brought back much new information, including the knowledge that
the continent was wider than originally supposed. More specifically, they learned a
good deal about river drainages and mountain barriers. They ended speculation that an
easy coast-to-coast route existed via the Missouri-Columbia River systems, and their
reports of the climate, the animals and birds, the trees and plants, and the Indians of the
West -- though not immediately published -- were made available to scientists.
34.With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?
(A)The river systems of portions of North America
(B)Certain geological features of the North America
(C)An exploratory trip sponsored by the United States government
(D)The discovery of natural resources in the United States
35.According to the passage, the primary purpose of finding a water route across the continent was to
(A)gain easy access to the gold and other riches of the Northwest
(B)become acquainted with the inhabitants of the West
(C)investigate the possibility of improved farmland in the West
(D)facilitate the movement of commerce across the continent
36. The river Meriwether Lewis was instructed to explore was the
(A) Wood
(B) Missouri
(C) Columbia
(D) Mississippi
37. According to the passage ,the explorers spent their first winter in what would become
(A) North Dakota
(B) Missouri
(C) Montana
(D) Idaho
38. The author states that Lewis and Clark studied all of the following characteristics of the
explored territories EXCEPT
(A) mineral deposits
(B) the weather
(C) animal life
(D) native vegetation
39. The phrase "Picking up" in line 20 could best be replaced by which of the following?
(A) Searching for
(B) Following
(C) Learning about
(D) Lifting
40. It can be Inferred from the passage that prior to the Lewis and Clark expedition the size of the
continent had been
(A) of little interest
(B) understimated
(C) known to native inhabitants of the West
(D) unpublished but known to most scientists
41. Where in the passage does the author refer to the explorers failure to find an easy passageway
to the western part of the continent?
(A) Lines 1-3
(B) Lines 7-9
(C) Lines 18-20
(D) Lines 23-25