The railroad was very important in encouraging westward movement. It also helped build up industry and farming by moving raw materials and by distributing products rapidly to distant markets. In linking towns and people to one another it helped unify the United States.
36. The major problems with America’s railroad system in the mid 19th century lay in _____.
(A) poor quality rails and unreliable stopping systems
(B) lack of financial support for development
(C) limited railroad lines
(D) lack of a transcontinental railroad
37. The building of the first transcontinental system _____.
(A) brought about a rapid growth of industry and farming in the west
(B) attracted many visitors to the construction sites
(C) attracted laborers from Europe
(D) encouraged people to travel all over the country
38. The best title for this passage would be ______.
(A) Settlements Spread Westward
(B) The Coast-to-Coast Railroad: A Vital Link
(C) American Railroad History
(D) The Importance of Trains in the American Economy
39. The construction of the transcontinental railroad took ______.
(A) 9 years (C) 4 years
(B) 7 years (D) 3 years
40. What most likely made people think about a transcontinental railroad?
(A) The possibility of government support for such a task.
(B) The need to explore Utah.
(C) The need to connect the east coast with the west.
(D) The need to develop the railroad industry in the west
Part III Vocabulary and Structure (20 minutes)
41. We had a party last month, and it was a lot of fun, so let’s have ______ one this month.
(A) another (C) the other
(B) more (D) other
42. It was difficult to guess what her _____ to the news would be.
(A) impression (C) comment
(B) reaction (D) opinion
43. I decided to go to the library as soon as I _____.
