Dangers on the Oregon Trail — Reading Comprehension

The Oregon Trail was a long and tough path that many pioneers followed to reach the West. Each year, families packed their wagons to travel over 2,000 miles. They hoped for a better life, but the journey was full of danger.

One big problem was the rough land. Wagons had to cross rocky hills, muddy rivers, and wide plains. Sometimes, wheels broke or wagons got stuck. Pioneers had to fix them with little help. When rivers were deep, people and animals risked drowning. One traveler wrote, "We lost one ox today in the river." This shows how hard these crossings could be.

Weather made the trip harder. Storms, strong winds, and heat often slowed the wagon trains. Sometimes, there was no rain for days, and water became scarce. People had to share what they had. If they could not find water, both people and animals could get sick.

Disease was another big threat. Many got sick with cholera, a disease that spread fast and killed many. There were no doctors on the trail. People tried to help each other, but not everyone survived. Still, the pioneers kept going. They worked together and shared supplies. They showed great bravery and unity as they pushed on toward Oregon.

Animals, like buffalo and snakes, could also be a threat. A snake bite could be deadly. The pioneers learned to be careful and to help one another. When they reached Oregon, they had changed. They were stronger and had made new friends. Their hard journey helped build new towns in the West.

Interesting Fact: Some children on the trail walked almost the entire way because there was no room in the wagons!

How far was the Oregon Trail?

What disease spread on the trail?

What did wagons have to cross?

Why was water important?

How did pioneers show unity?

What happened if wagons broke?

Animals were never a danger. True or false?

What does 'scarce' mean?