Lewis & Clark's excellent adventure: a game for two or more players

Current Events, May 2, 2003

Welcome aboard! You're the latest crew member to join Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on an important expedition. You're going to explore the newly acquired lands of the Louisiana Purchase, discover new types of plants and animals, and with any luck, find a land route to the Pacific Ocean. But beware; the trip won't be easy. You'll have to prepare for your journey by reading about the famous explorers in an encyclopedia or on the Internet. You'll also need to pick out a small object you can use to mark your progress. Once you're ready, head to Monticello. Answer the question there correctly, and hit the trail. To move forward, flip a coin: heads to move one square; tails to move two. Answer the questions and follow the directions on the spaces where you land. If you answer a question incorrectly, stay on that space the number if turns it takes you to get it right. Lewis and Clark took more than two years to reach the Pacific. How long will it take you? Westward ho!

Welcome to Monticello

START

1. Which president was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase?

a. Abraham Lincoln

b. Thomas Jefferson

c. George Washington

If you answered this question correctly, meet up with Captain Meriwether Lewis in Pittsburgh to begin your journey.

2. Lewis spends the last several months building a keelboat and gathering supplies for the trip. Which of the following supplies does he pack the most of?

a. toilet paper

b. meat

c. paper

Pittsburg

Lewis departs August 31, 1803.

The current is swift. Float along to Louisville to pick up Clark.

The keelboat gets stuck. Lose a turn while you dig it out.

Oops! Lewis forgot his dog, a black Newfoundland he got just for the trip. Go back to Pittsburgh.

3. Both Lewis and Clark were originally from which southern state?

a. Florida

b. Georgia

c. Virginia

Clark comes aboard October 15, 1803.

You're making record time! Advance to St. Louis.

4. Lewis and Clark set up camp for the winter and buy more supplies in St. Louis. What do they buy to trade with Native Americans?

a. horses

b. colorful beads

c. board games

You forgot Clark! Go back to Louisville!

5. Lewis and Clark were the first Europeans to encounter North American porcupines and

a. coyotes.

b. Bigfoot.

c. chipmunks.

If you answered this correctly, catch up with the crew at the next question.

Ouch! You encounter a North American porcupine. The prickly fellow chases you off the trail. Answer the question above to get back on.

6. By how much did the Louisiana Purchase increase the size of the United States

a. 1/3 b. 1/2 c. 2/3

Sergeant Floyd isn't feeling well. Row faster! Move ahead one square.

Sergeant Floyd dies--the only corps member who doesn't return. Bury him and skip a turn in his honor.

7. Oh no! Your first encounter with hostile Native Americans--a fierce tribe of Sioux. Clark draws his sword, and Lewis aims the boat's guns at the tribe. What happens?

a. They don't shoot until they see the whites of their eyes.

b. Lewis is captured and forced to dress as a squaw.

c. Nothing! Its just a close call; that's all.

It's getting colder. You're anxious to make camp for the winter. Move ahead one square.

8. At Fort Mandan you pick up Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian, and her French Canadian husband. Their primary role on the journey will be to

a. translate

b. lead the expedition

c. amuse the expedition with Canadian jokes.

Sacagawea has a baby. Go back to Fort Mandan for diapers.

9. Lewis and Clark were not the first people to encounter a grizzly bear, but they were the first to record it for science. What is the scientific name for the grizzly?

a. Ursus nouiblis

b. Ursus smursus

c. Ursus arctos horribilis

Run! It's a grizzly bear.

It takes two weeks to maneuver around the Great Falls. Lose a turn.

You meet up with Sacagawea's long-lost brother. He gives you horses. Speed ahead one square.

10. After 11 days in the mountains, you're starving and out of food. What must you eat to survive?

a. Lewis's dog

b. horses

c. Lewis--he's the one who brought more paper than food.

You forgot your hat! Go back one square.

You're tired, but full! Lose a turn.

11. You're almost there! By journey's end, how long are your journals?

a. 10,000 words

b. 100,000 words

c. 1,000,000 words

Sacagawea misses her brother. Go back five squares.

FINISH

12. You're there! What does Clark write in his journal the day he first sees the Pacific?

a. O! the joy!

b. Oh yeah!

c. That's it? It looks just like the Atlantic.

ANSWERS

1. b, 2. c, 3. c, 4. b, 5. a, 6. b, 7. c, 8. a, 9. c, 10. b, 11. c, 12. a

Answer appear in the Teacher's Guide that accompanies this issue. Copyright [c] 2003 by Weekly Reader Corporation. Weekly Reader is a federally registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Written by Laura McClure and Clara Colbert. Art direction by Chris Moroch. Illustration by Dave Clegg.