In addition to their military role, the forts of the nineteenth century provided numerous
other benefits for the American West. The establishment of these posts opened new
roads and provided for the protection of daring adventurers and expeditions as well as
established settlers. Forts also served as bases where enterprising entrepreneurs could
bring commerce to the West, providing supplies and refreshments to soldiers as well as to
pioneers. Posts like
natural highways toward new frontiers. Some posts became stations for the pony
express; still others, such as
of these functions, of course, suggest that the contributions of the forts to the
civilization and development of the West extended beyond patrol duty.
Through the establishment of military posts, yet other contributions were made to the
development of western culture. Many posts maintained libraries or reading rooms,
and some – for example,
for religious services and weddings. Throughout the wilderness, post bands provided
entertainment and boosted morale. During the last part of the nineteenth century, to
reduce expenses, gardening was encouraged at the forts, thus making experimental
agriculture another activity of the military. The military stationed at the various forts
also played a role in civilian life by assisting in maintaining order, and civilian officials
often called on the army for protection.
Certainly, among other significant contributions the army made to the improvement
of the conditions of life was the investigation of the relationships among health,
climate, and architecture. From the earliest colonial times throughout the nineteenth
century, disease ranked as the foremost problem in defense. It slowed construction of
forts and inhibited their military functions. Official documents from many regions
contained innumerable reports of sickness that virtually incapacitated entire garrisons.
In response to the problems, detailed observations of architecture and climate and their
relationships to the frequency of the occurrence of various diseases were recorded at
various posts across the nation by military surgeons.
Q&A:
1. Which of the following statements best
expresses the main idea of the
passage?
(A) By the nineteenth century, forts
were no longer used by the
military.
(B) Surgeons at forts could not
prevent outbreaks of disease.
(C) Forts were important to the
development of the American
West
(D) Life in nineteenth-century forts
was very rough.
2. The word “daring” in line 3 is closest
in meaning to
(A) lost
(B) bold
(C) lively
(D) foolish
3. Which of the following would a
traveler be likely be LEAST likely to
obtain at Fort Laramie?
(A) Fresh water
(B) Food
(C) Formal clothing
(D) Lodging
4. The word “others” in line 8 refers to
(A) posts
(B) wagon trains
(C) frontiers
(D) highways5. The word “boosted” in line 15 is
closest in meaning to
(A) influenced
(B) established
(C) raised
(D) maintained
6. Which of the following is the most
likely inference about the decision to
promote gardening at forts?
(A) It was expensive to import
produce from far away.
(B) Food brought in from outside
was often spoiled
(C) Gardening was a way to occupy
otherwise idle soldiers.
(D) The soil near the forts was very
fertile.
7. According to the passage, which of
the following posed the biggest
obstacle to the development of
military forts?
(A) Insufficient shelter
(B) Shortage of materials
(C) Attacks by wild animals
(D) Illness
8. The word “inhibited” in line 24 is
closest in meaning to
(A) involved
(B) exploited
(C) united
(D) hindered
9. How did the military assists in the
investigation of health problems?
(A) By registering annual birth and
death rates
(B) By experiments with different
building materials
(C) By maintaining records of
diseases and potential causes
(D) By monitoring the soldiers’ diets
10. The author organizes the discussion
of forts by
(A) describing their locations
(B) comparing their sizes
(C) explaining their damage to the
environment
(D) listing their contributions to
western life
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