ACT English Practice Test 13

The following paragraphs may or may not be in the most logical order. Each paragraph is numbered in brackets, and Question 45 will ask you to choose where Paragraph 4 should most logically be placed.

Sacajawea: Girl Guide

[1]

Probably one of the most well-known members of the Shoshone Indian tribe, Sacajawea may have been Americas Q1 first introduction to the plight of the working mother. As depicted in numerous works of art, photos, and statues, Sacajawea is most famous for accompanying Q2 Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. From early April of 1805 until the summer of 1806, the 17-year-old Sacajawea and her infant son rode horseback across mountains and rivers from North Dakota to the west coast. She demonstrated a sense of calm and quiet determination throughout the trip, as reflected in their Q3 journals kept by the other members of the tireless group.

She was always described as being helpful and unobtrusive, caring for her child while at times aiding the party in obtaining supplies and finding easier pathways through treacherous territory. Q4

[2]

Sacajawea’s early life was traumatic; she Q5 was stolen as a young girl from her Shoshone home by a rival tribe. Soon after, however, French-Canadian Toussaint Charbonneau bought Sacajawea and made her his wife. At age 16, she gave birth to her son and with her husband, son, and the Lewis and Clark party, her trek began shortly thereafter. Q6

While historians often refer to Sacajawea as an official guide for this expedition, she was only included on it’s roster Q7 because she was married to Charbonneau, a well-known fur trapper. Along the way, because of her familiarity with her homeland, she was able to serve as both an interpreter and an aid for finding shortcuts and easier routes.

[3]

At one point on this historic journey, Sacajawea is reunited Q8 with her Shoshone home and family. Although she found that most – believe it or not – of her immediate family Q9 members had perished, her surviving brother, Cameahwait, had become the chief of the Shoshone tribe. Sacajawea was able to negotiate with her brother for horses and supplies, as well as Q10 for a map and guide so that they could press forward with their mission. Q11

[4]

Controversy surrounds the end of Sacajawea’s life. Some historians list the year of Q12 1812 as the year she died at the age of 25. Shoshone history, however, records Sacajawea as living the remainder of her life on the reservation where she was born and dying there at age 97.

[5]

Many of the personal narratives of this momentous trip refer to Sacajawea’s demeanor and the oftentimes subtle role she played in the trip’s success. One such account describes a river crossing in which Sacajawea’s boat nearly capsized during a storm. As the boat tipped onto its side, Sacajawea carefully and calmly began retrieving the many books and precious instruments that fell into them. Q13 Fortunately, the items had been wrapped in waterproof material and remained intact. The group was convinced that all would have been lost had it not been for Sacajawea’s methodical and composed actions.

[6]

Despite the questions surrounding her death, there is no 44 question that Sacajawea left her mark on American history. Q14

Q15