World History

What is the most likely reason for branding horses in Australia?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Rupert was born and raised in the vast, open interior of the Australian continent.

His only unpleasant childhood memory was when he was separated from his mother and brought in with many other young horses of his age and branded with a hot iron. The pain was only momentary: but the mark ….. 2GD/20 ….. remained on his nearside shoulder for the rest of his life. The brand indicated that Rupert’s birthplace was Gordon Downs Station in the Australian state of Queensland.

It was shortly after this experience that Rupert was driven to the coast and then put onboard a ship and sent to India. He showed the stamina to tread the rugged terrain with ease. Rupert was selected to be a cavalry horse in the Indian Army.

Rupert was a magnificent looking horse and was a great cavalry horse as he performed his duties extremely well. He was clever, brave, strong and fast.

On one occasion, the heir to the British throne – the Prince of Wales – was visiting India when he saw Rupert. The Prince was so taken by this beautiful black cavalry horse that he was determined to buy him: which he did. And he sent him to England by ship.

Eventually the Prince of Wales became King of England and Emperor of India. For the rest of his life, Rupert remained the King’s favourite charger and lived in the Royal Stables in London. What a story Rupert could have told had he been able to write it down!

When did Franklin return to America?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The French ministers were not at first willing to make a treaty of alliance, but under Franklin's influence they lent money to the struggling colonies. Congress sought to finance the war by the issue of paper currency and by borrowing rather than by taxation, and sent bill after bill to Franklin, who somehow managed to meet them by putting his pride in his pocket, and applying again and again to the French Government. He fitted out privateers and negotiated with the British concerning prisoners. At length, he won from France recognition of the United States and then the Treaty of Alliance.

Not until two years after the Peace of 1783 would Congress permit the veteran to come home. And when he did return in 1785 his people would not allow him to rest. At once he was elected President of the Council of Pennsylvania and twice re-elected in spite of his protests. He was sent to the Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution of the United States. There he spoke seldom but always to the point, and the Constitution is the better for his suggestions. With pride he axed his signature to that great instrument, as he had previously signed the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, and the Treaty of Paris.
Benjamin Franklin's work was done. He was now an old man of eighty-two summers and his feeble body was racked by a painful malady. Yet, he kept his face towards the morning. About a hundred of his letters, written after this time, have been preserved. These letters show no retrospection, no looking backward. They never mention "the good old times." As long as he lived, Franklin looked forward. His interest in the mechanical arts and in scientific progress seems never to have abated.

Under whose influence French ministers lent money to struggling colonies?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The French ministers were not at first willing to make a treaty of alliance, but under Franklin's influence they lent money to the struggling colonies. Congress sought to finance the war by the issue of paper currency and by borrowing rather than by taxation, and sent bill after bill to Franklin, who somehow managed to meet them by putting his pride in his pocket, and applying again and again to the French Government. He fitted out privateers and negotiated with the British concerning prisoners. At length, he won from France recognition of the United States and then the Treaty of Alliance.

Not until two years after the Peace of 1783 would Congress permit the veteran to come home. And when he did return in 1785 his people would not allow him to rest. At once he was elected President of the Council of Pennsylvania and twice re-elected in spite of his protests. He was sent to the Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution of the United States. There he spoke seldom but always to the point, and the Constitution is the better for his suggestions. With pride he axed his signature to that great instrument, as he had previously signed the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, and the Treaty of Paris.
Benjamin Franklin's work was done. He was now an old man of eighty-two summers and his feeble body was racked by a painful malady. Yet, he kept his face towards the morning. About a hundred of his letters, written after this time, have been preserved. These letters show no retrospection, no looking backward. They never mention "the good old times." As long as he lived, Franklin looked forward. His interest in the mechanical arts and in scientific progress seems never to have abated.

Which word in the third paragraph is a synonym for “disease”?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question.

The French ministers were not at first willing to make a treaty of alliance, but under Franklin's influence they lent money to the struggling colonies. Congress sought to finance the war by the issue of paper currency and by borrowing rather than by taxation, and sent bill after bill to Franklin, who somehow managed to meet them by putting his pride in his pocket, and applying again and again to the French Government. He fitted out privateers and negotiated with the British concerning prisoners. At length, he won from France recognition of the United States and then the Treaty of Alliance.

Not until two years after the Peace of 1783 would Congress permit the veteran to come home. And when he did return in 1785 his people would not allow him to rest. At once he was elected President of the Council of Pennsylvania and twice re-elected in spite of his protests. He was sent to the Convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution of the United States. There he spoke seldom but always to the point, and the Constitution is the better for his suggestions. With pride he axed his signature to that great instrument, as he had previously signed the Albany Plan of Union, the Declaration of Independence, and the Treaty of Paris.
Benjamin Franklin's work was done. He was now an old man of eighty-two summers and his feeble body was racked by a painful malady. Yet, he kept his face towards the morning. About a hundred of his letters, written after this time, have been preserved. These letters show no retrospection, no looking backward. They never mention "the good old times." As long as he lived, Franklin looked forward. His interest in the mechanical arts and in scientific progress seems never to have abated.

What was the least likely threat to soldiers encamped at Valley Forge?

With the arrival of winters in 1777, General George Washington decided to camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania which was about eighteen miles west of Philadelphia. It was located between high hills and Schuylkill River which made it easy to defend. Since the area was at a distance from the
British so it discouraged surprise attacks.

However, many of the 12000 soldiers of the Continental Army lacked supplies to survive the winter and others were starving. Thus, over 1000 huts were built to provide some relief to the soldiers.It was impossible for the soldiers to stay dry due to moisture from rain and melting snow. This also led to spread of diseases. the only food the soldiers received was \'firecake\' a mixture made from flour and water. Occasionally, soldiers received meat and bread. Soldiers dint get adequate food, lacked clothes and shoes. Due to the unsanitary conditions many soldiers died of diseases like pneumonia and typhoid.
Over 2000 people died of such sickness.

Why did General Washington choose Valley Forge as he site of his army's winter encampment?

With the arrival of winters in 1777, General George Washington decided to camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania which was about eighteen miles west of Philadelphia. It was located between high hills and Schuylkill River which made it easy to defend. Since the area was at a distance from the
British so it discouraged surprise attacks.

However, many of the 12000 soldiers of the Continental Army lacked supplies to survive the winter and others were starving. Thus, over 1000 huts were built to provide some relief to the soldiers.It was impossible for the soldiers to stay dry due to moisture from rain and melting snow. This also led to spread of diseases. the only food the soldiers received was \'firecake\' a mixture made from flour and water. Occasionally, soldiers received meat and bread. Soldiers dint get adequate food, lacked clothes and shoes. Due to the unsanitary conditions many soldiers died of diseases like pneumonia and typhoid.
Over 2000 people died of such sickness.

Which word best describes the state of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-1778?

With the arrival of winters in 1777, General George Washington decided to camp at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania which was about eighteen miles west of Philadelphia. It was located between high hills and Schuylkill River which made it easy to defend. Since the area was at a distance from the
British so it discouraged surprise attacks.

However, many of the 12000 soldiers of the Continental Army lacked supplies to survive the winter and others were starving. Thus, over 1000 huts were built to provide some relief to the soldiers.It was impossible for the soldiers to stay dry due to moisture from rain and melting snow. This also led to spread of diseases. the only food the soldiers received was \'firecake\' a mixture made from flour and water. Occasionally, soldiers received meat and bread. Soldiers dint get adequate food, lacked clothes and shoes. Due to the unsanitary conditions many soldiers died of diseases like pneumonia and typhoid.
Over 2000 people died of such sickness.