DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully. Then read each question and fi ll in the bubble

next to the correct answer.

Railroads to the West

During the 1850s, many people believed that a railroad could not be built across

the United States. They said the western mountains and deserts could not be crossed.

But Theodore Judah believed that it was possible. Judah was an experienced railroad

builder in the East. He was sure that the job could be done. Judah started laying tracks

eastward from California. These were the tracks of the Central Pacific Railroad. Tracks

for another railroad were being laid from the East. This railroad was the Union Pacific

Railroad. The tracks of the two railroads would be joined somewhere in the middle of

the country.

Building the Central Pacific Railroad was a challenge. The Sierra Nevada

Mountains were in the path of the route. In the Sierra Nevada, sharp cliffs dropped into

steep canyons. The workers had to figure out how to lay tracks through this rugged

territory. First, workers were lowered in baskets over the cliffs. They swung hammers

to carve paths into the sides of the mountains. Then, these paths were widened enough

to lay railroad tracks. It was slow work.



What is the main idea of paragraph 2?

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully. Then read each question and fi ll in the bubble

next to the correct answer.

Railroads to the West

During the 1850s, many people believed that a railroad could not be built across

the United States. They said the western mountains and deserts could not be crossed.

But Theodore Judah believed that it was possible. Judah was an experienced railroad

builder in the East. He was sure that the job could be done. Judah started laying tracks

eastward from California. These were the tracks of the Central Pacific Railroad. Tracks

for another railroad were being laid from the East. This railroad was the Union Pacific

Railroad. The tracks of the two railroads would be joined somewhere in the middle of

the country.

Building the Central Pacific Railroad was a challenge. The Sierra Nevada

Mountains were in the path of the route. In the Sierra Nevada, sharp cliffs dropped into

steep canyons. The workers had to figure out how to lay tracks through this rugged

territory. First, workers were lowered in baskets over the cliffs. They swung hammers

to carve paths into the sides of the mountains. Then, these paths were widened enough

to lay railroad tracks. It was slow work.



Which sentence contains strong verbs?

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully. Then read each question and fi ll in the bubble

next to the correct answer.

Railroads to the West

During the 1850s, many people believed that a railroad could not be built across

the United States. They said the western mountains and deserts could not be crossed.

But Theodore Judah believed that it was possible. Judah was an experienced railroad

builder in the East. He was sure that the job could be done. Judah started laying tracks

eastward from California. These were the tracks of the Central Pacific Railroad. Tracks

for another railroad were being laid from the East. This railroad was the Union Pacific

Railroad. The tracks of the two railroads would be joined somewhere in the middle of

the country.

Building the Central Pacific Railroad was a challenge. The Sierra Nevada

Mountains were in the path of the route. In the Sierra Nevada, sharp cliffs dropped into

steep canyons. The workers had to figure out how to lay tracks through this rugged

territory. First, workers were lowered in baskets over the cliffs. They swung hammers

to carve paths into the sides of the mountains. Then, these paths were widened enough

to lay railroad tracks. It was slow work.



Which sentences below best describe the railroad route by showing?

Judah and his crew faced many obstacles. During the first winter, the wind piled

snow into drifts 50 feet high. Wooden snow sheds were built to protect the workers and

the tracks. Even so, there were problems. Some workers were affected by the cold. The

crew inspector often ordered these workers to be sent down to Sacramento to rest.

The slowest work was digging Summit Tunnel. Day and night, hammers and

chisels bit into the rock. The workers were able to remove only two inches of rock a

day. It was the most expensive quarter mile of railroad track in history.



What was one of the effects of the first winter?

Judah and his crew faced many obstacles. During the first winter, the wind piled

snow into drifts 50 feet high. Wooden snow sheds were built to protect the workers and

the tracks. Even so, there were problems. Some workers were affected by the cold. The

crew inspector often ordered these workers to be sent down to Sacramento to rest.

The slowest work was digging Summit Tunnel. Day and night, hammers and

chisels bit into the rock. The workers were able to remove only two inches of rock a

day. It was the most expensive quarter mile of railroad track in history.



Why was Summit Tunnel "the most expensive quarter mile of railroad track in history"?