The best answer is B. The passage states that “None but the fearless and inventive, the most resourceful and curious, would dare to undertake such a venture,” which clearly suggests that this was a challenge. The passage later goes on to say that “All of the wonders of those states in the West are, in part, the result of this expedition.” This implies that western expansion was important. Answer choice A may appear to be correct; however, the passages tells us that fur traders and trappers had traversed the wilderness to reach the west prior to Lewis and Clark’s journey.

The best answer is F. The passage discusses many aspects of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and mentions several characteristic of the country, describing to the reader that the expedition led to “the unknown lands west of the Mississippi” and that “The path they were to carve out would be the first of its kind.” Answer choice H may appear to be correct, however, the passage mentions that the men on the expedition were volunteers for “North Western Discovery,” not the “Northwest Passage.”

The best answer is D. The passage states that, “The settlers who came after Lewis and Clark went forward with blind-devotion knowing then that it could be done.” This suggests that the Expedition gave other people confidence that they, too, could cross the United States because they knew that it had already been done by other travelers. Answer choice A is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that after Lewis and Clark’s historic journey, many people traveled by land. Answer choices B and C are beyond the scope of the passage.

The best answer is H. The passage explicitly states that the Lewis and Clark expedition was intended to “find the fastest water route across North America.” In addition, the passage states that previous to this journey, “virtually no one had attempted to cross the stretch of land between the mighty Mississippi and the vast Pacific Ocean using only water routes.” Although Lewis and Clark did catalogue new species of animals on their journey—answer choice G—this was not their primary objective in traveling across the United States.

The best answer is B. The second paragraph states that, “Months later, in May, the party gathered in St. Lewis. The forty some men were to travel ...” Answer choice B best fits the context of the paragraph. The previous statement does not support the idea that party means “a celebration,” “a segment of the population,” or a “meeting to discuss business,” so answer choices A, C, and D can be eliminated.

The best answer is G. In the third paragraph, the men on the expedition are told to have written of their “health and high spirits.” The statement is also made that the men were “all eager to explore,” in spite of the potential dangers they faced in their long journey. This best supports answer choice G.

The best answer is C. It is reasonable to infer that the word “forge,” as it is used in the passage – “the travelers continued to forge west in search of an efficient trade route using only the rivers”–refers to advancing on a path or journey, answer choice C. The other answer choices do not make sense within the context of the passage.

The best answer is J. The fourth paragraph mentions that “the Sioux and the Blackfeet tried to impede the group’s progress on more than one occasion.” This suggests that the Expedition would likely face danger in the form of conflict with indigenous people, answer choice J. The other answer choices are not supported by details in the passage.

The best answer is D. As stated in the passage, the men set out on three boats, “all of which were moved by sails, towropes, poles, or oars.” These methods involve man power, wind power, or rowing power. Although the passage indicates that steam power eventually replaced the boats, nowhere does it mention that steam power was used on the Expedition.

The best answer is F. According to the passage, “After receiving wilderness training in Washington D.C., Meriwether Lewis set out ...” This indicates that Lewis was the only member of the Expedition to have received wilderness training. All of the other answer choices are mentioned explicitly in the passage as having been done by all members of the Expedition.