What is Westward Expansion? - Worksheet 5

Read the article "What is Westward Expansion?" and answer the questions.

1. Look at the title and the first short paragraph, then explain, in your own words, to a partner the expression "Westward Expansion."

2. Read the first two paragraphs and identify the three main reasons which explain Westward Expansion, then discuss with a partner before sharing with the rest of the class.

3. Focus on the words highlighted in blue in paragraph 3 and 5 and answer the questions.
a. What lexical and semantic field do they belong to?
b. So, can you explain to a partner, in your own words, what Manifest destiny was?

4. Read paragraph 4.
a. Highlight in yellow the action taken by US legislation which made Westward Expansion easier.
b. Explain in your own words in what way Manifest Destiny helped justify that action.
c. In your own words, explain the consequences of that action as far as Westward expansion was concerned.

5. Read paragraph 6 and answer the questions.
a. Highlight in red the four ways to become rich in the American West in the 19th century.
b. The people attracted to the first way to become rich gave rise to one of the most significant events of the first half of the 19th century in the USA. Do you know what it was called? Discuss with a partner.

6. Now go back to the painting.
a. Say if you can match the elements of information you found in the article with visual details from the painting. 
b. Check your findings with your partner.

7.  With your partner, sum up why and how the Americans went West in the 19th century.
Underline the new words you have learnt in the article.