A Desperate Trek Across America

Question 1

The author uses a quotation from Cabeza de Vaca in paragraph 2 to —

Answer 1

emphasize how bad conditions were for the group in Florida

Question 2

Read this sentence from paragraph 2 of the selection.
“I refrain here from telling this at greater length because each one can imagine for himself what could happen
in a land so strange.”
Why does the author use a primary source in his description of the expedition?

Answer 2

The author uses primary source quotes from Cabeza de Vaca to help make the point that the journey was difficult.
In this quote, Cabeza de Vaca is saying that he is keeping the description short because readers can think for themselves how difficult the journey must have been. The use of a primary source also lends authority to the writing, as they act as evidence from a first-hand account to provide support for statements made.

Question 3

In paragraph 4, the author explains that Cabeza de Vaca and his men didn’t negotiate with the Indians when they first arrived because —

Answer 3

the Indians were intimidated by the horses and weapons that Cabeza de Vaca and his men carried

Question 4

In paragraph 7, the word flotilla means —

Answer 4

a small group of military vessels

Question 5

In paragraph 7, the author’s use of words such as tormented, hunger, and drenched contribute to a mood that is best described as —

Answer 5

desperate

Question 6

Which word from the selection is closest in meaning to odyssey from paragraph 10?

Answer 6

expedition

Question 7

The author uses a rhetorical question in paragraph 13 to —

Answer 7

emphasize the confusion of the slavers

Question 8

The author organized the selection by —

Answer 8

describing the journey in the order in which it happened

Question 9

Which sentence from the selection best expresses how the attitudes of Cabeza de Vaca and his companions were changed by their experience?

Answer 9

No longer did the castaways view their companions as mere chattels, the rightful prize of Christian conquest.

Question 10

Had to be very creative just to survive

Answer 10

Conquistadors

Question 11

Were the first people to make it to the West Coast

Answer 11

Indians

Question 12

Thought the others were medicine men

Answer 12

Indians

Question 13

Became separated from the rest of their group

Answer 13

Conquistadors

Question 14

They become separated from their boat in Florida.

Answer 14

1

Question 15

They are taken as slaves across the Southwest.

Answer 15

3

Question 16

They are rescued by Spanish slavers at the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 16

4

Question 17

They float across the Gulf of Mexico on rafts.

Answer 17

2

Question 18

How does the author organize the selection to contrast the relationship between Cabeza de Vaca and the Indians at the beginning of the journey with his relationship with them at the end of the journey?

Answer 18

The author organizes the article in chronological order to show that at the beginning of the journey, Cabeza de Vaca and the other men used their armor and horses to intimidate the Indians into giving them anything that they needed. By the end of the journey, Cabeza de Vaca learned to treat the Indians with respect. He always returned what they gave him to use during the time he was enslaved by them, and he became an advocate for humane colonization
after his journey.