What was the name of the bushranger who claimed to have discovered a large river called the Kindur?
- The Barber
- The Outlaw
- The Bandit
- The Rogue
Correct Answer: The Barber
Correct Answer Explanation: The bushranger, whose real name was George Clarke, was known as “The Barber” because he was a skilled barber. He was captured for cattle stealing and during his time in jail he told stories about his travels which included the claim that he had discovered a large river called the Kindur, although this was later found to be untrue.
What was the primary goal of Major T.L. Mitchell’s first expedition in 1831?
- To find a new route to the Pacific Ocean
- To discover a new mineral deposit
- To debunk the myth of the Kindur river
- To establish a trading post with the local tribes
Correct Answer: To debunk the myth of the Kindur river
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell’s first expedition was primarily motivated by the stories told by the bushranger, George Clarke, about a large river called the Kindur that he claimed to have discovered. Mitchell was skeptical of this claim, and set out to disprove it. He believed it was more likely that the rivers Clarke was talking about were smaller tributaries of already known rivers like the Darling.
Which of these rivers did Mitchell discover on his first expedition?
- The Murray River
- The Darling River
- The Namoi River
- The Lachlan River
Correct Answer: The Namoi River
Correct Answer Explanation: While Mitchell was debunking the myth of the Kindur River he discovered several new rivers, one of which was the Namoi, a river that flows into the Darling River.
What was the main objective of Major T.L. Mitchell’s second expedition in 1835?
- To establish a permanent settlement in the interior
- To explore the Great Barrier Reef
- To map the course of the Darling River
- To find a source of freshwater
Correct Answer: To map the course of the Darling River
Correct Answer Explanation: The second expedition undertaken by Mitchell, was commissioned by the British government, and focused on definitively tracing the course of the Darling River. This was important because it was a key part of establishing the boundaries of the Australian colony.
What tragedy occurred during Mitchell’s second expedition?
- Mitchell was captured by Aboriginal tribes
- His supplies were destroyed by fire
- His expedition was attacked by wild animals
- His botanist, Richard Cunningham, disappeared
Correct Answer: His botanist, Richard Cunningham, disappeared
Correct Answer Explanation: Cunningham was lost during the 1835 expedition to trace the Darling River, likely as a result of being separated from the party and lost in the harsh and unfamiliar landscape. This was a devastating loss for Mitchell and the expedition, as Cunningham was a highly skilled botanist and naturalist.
What was the name of the fort established by Mitchell during his second expedition?
- Fort Darling
- Fort Bourke
- Fort Mitchell
- Fort Cunningham
Correct Answer: Fort Bourke
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell established Fort Bourke as a base for future exploration of the Darling River and as a way to mark the progress of exploration and the growth of the Australian colony.
What did Mitchell’s expeditions reveal about the “Kindur” river?
- It was a large, navigable river
- It was a series of small tributaries
- It did not exist
- It was a secret route used by Aboriginal tribes
Correct Answer: It did not exist
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell was able to conclusively prove that the “Kindur” river, as described by the bushranger, was a myth. His systematic approach and careful observation led him to understand the natural landscape and the river systems that flow through it.
What significant geographical feature did Mitchell encounter during his explorations?
- The Great Dividing Range
- The Great Barrier Reef
- The Nullarbor Plain
- The Nundewar Range
Correct Answer: The Nundewar Range
Correct Answer Explanation: The Nundewar Range was a significant geographical feature that Mitchell encountered during his expeditions. It was a difficult obstacle to cross because of its steep slopes and challenging terrain. The range is a series of rocky hills that run through western New South Wales.
What did Mitchell’s observations reveal about the Darling River?
- It was a single, wide river channel
- It was a series of interconnected lagoons and channels
- It flowed directly to the sea
- It was only navigable during the wet season
Correct Answer: It was a series of interconnected lagoons and channels
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell’s explorations revealed that the Darling River is not a single, continuous river channel, but is rather a complex system of interconnected lagoons and channels. This is due to the dry climate and the seasonal variations in rainfall.
What impact did European colonization have on the Aboriginal population, according to Mitchell’s observations?
- It improved their access to food sources
- It had no significant impact
- It disrupted their traditional way of life
- It led to a decline in their population
Correct Answer: It disrupted their traditional way of life
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell’s observations during his expeditions revealed that the impact of European colonization on the Aboriginal population was significant, affecting their access to food sources, traditional hunting and fishing grounds, and their traditional way of life. This ultimately led to conflict and tensions between the Europeans and the Aboriginals.
How did Aboriginal tribes vary in their interaction with Europeans?
- They were all hostile
- They were all friendly
- They ranged from friendly to hostile
- They avoided contact with Europeans altogether
Correct Answer: They ranged from friendly to hostile
Correct Answer Explanation: Aboriginal tribes differed in how they reacted to European colonization. Some tribes were friendly and welcomed the Europeans as trading partners and sources of new resources. Others were hostile, fearing the Europeans and what their presence might bring. This difference in reaction was often determined by the history of the interaction between the particular tribe and the Europeans, the tribe’s perception of the European’s intentions, and the pressure they were under from the impact of the colonization on their traditional land and resources.
What valuable resource did Aboriginals use to make boomerangs and spearheads?
- Acacia pendula
- Eucalyptus wood
- Bamboo
- Stone
Correct Answer: Acacia pendula
Correct Answer Explanation: Acacia pendula, also known as “Myall” or “Currawang”, was a valuable resource for the Aboriginal people. It was used to make boomerangs, spearheads, and other tools and weapons. The wood of the tree is hard and strong, making it ideal for these purposes.
What natural phenomenon did Mitchell observe at the burning hill of Wingen?
- A volcanic eruption
- A meteor strike
- The combustion of bituminous shale
- A natural gas leak
Correct Answer: The combustion of bituminous shale
Correct Answer Explanation: The burning hill of Wingen, located in the Hunter Valley, is a natural phenomenon caused by the combustion of bituminous shale. The heat generated by the combustion is high enough to sustain a fire that has been burning for thousands of years, making it a unique and fascinating site for visitors and explorers.
What was the native name for the Peel River?
- Callala
- Conadilly
- Goonigal
- Calare
Correct Answer: Callala
Correct Answer Explanation: The native name for the Peel River was “Callala”. This name, along with other Aboriginal names for places and rivers, shows the deep knowledge and understanding of the land that Aboriginal people possessed.
What was the native name for the Namoi River?
- Callala
- Conadilly
- Goonigal
- Calare
Correct Answer: Conadilly
Correct Answer Explanation: The Namoi River was known to the Aboriginal people as “Conadilly”.
What did the native term “Goonigal” refer to?
- A river
- A mountain
- A plain
- A tribe
Correct Answer: A plain
Correct Answer Explanation: “Goonigal” was the native term used to describe a plain, like the Liverpool Plains, where Mitchell encountered diverse Aboriginal tribes.
Which mountain range did Mitchell find to be higher than the Blue Mountains?
- The Nundewar Range
- The Canobolas Mountains
- The Liverpool Ranges
- The Great Dividing Range
Correct Answer: The Canobolas Mountains
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell found the Canobolas Mountains to be higher than the Blue Mountains. He also noted that the Canobolas Mountains were covered in a dense forest, making them a more challenging obstacle for travel than the Blue Mountains.
What unusual feature did Mitchell observe on the surface of the plains under Croker’s range?
- A large salt lake
- A dense forest
- A volcanic crater
- Springs
Correct Answer: Springs
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell noted the unusual presence of springs on the surface of the plains under Croker’s Range, which he found unusual because the area was generally very dry. This showed the diversity of the landscape and the varied resources available in the Australian interior.
What did Mitchell’s observations reveal about the Aboriginal diet?
- They relied heavily on cultivated crops
- They relied heavily on wild honey
- They ate only meat
- They ate only vegetables
Correct Answer: They relied heavily on wild honey
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell noted that the Aboriginal people relied heavily on wild honey as a food source. They would extract the honey from hollow branches in trees, demonstrating their knowledge of the natural resources and how to find them.
What was the native term for the Lachlan River?
- Callala
- Conadilly
- Goonigal
- Calare
Correct Answer: Calare
Correct Answer Explanation: The native term for the Lachlan River was “Calare”.
What did Mitchell’s observations reveal about Oxley’s Tableland?
- It was a vast, flat plateau
- It was a series of rolling hills
- It was not actually a tableland
- It was a volcanic caldera
Correct Answer: It was not actually a tableland
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell found that Oxley’s Tableland was not a tableland at all, but a series of rolling hills. This reveals that the landscape of the interior is more complex and varied than previously thought, and that early explorers were often wrong about the true nature of the land.
What was the approximate width of the Hawkesbury River at Wiseman’s Ferry?
- 100 yards
- 200 yards
- 280 yards
- 350 yards
Correct Answer: 280 yards
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell noted that the Hawkesbury River was about 280 yards wide at Wiseman’s Ferry, which was a major crossing point for travelers and settlers.
What was the approximate height of the highest point of the Blue Mountains near King’s Tableland?
- 2,000 feet
- 2,800 feet
- 3,400 feet
- 4,000 feet
Correct Answer: 3,400 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The highest point of the Blue Mountains near King’s Tableland was estimated to be about 3,400 feet above sea level. This makes the Blue Mountains a formidable barrier to travel, even today.
What was the approximate height of the Canobolas Mountain?
- 3,500 feet
- 4,000 feet
- 4,461.6 feet
- 5,000 feet
Correct Answer: 4,461.6 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The Canobolas Mountain is a significant landmark in the landscape of New South Wales, and its height of 4,461.6 feet above sea level makes it a challenging climb for even experienced hikers.
What was the approximate depth of the Namoi River at one point?
- 5 feet
- 10 feet
- 11 3/4 feet
- 15 feet
Correct Answer: 11 3/4 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The average depth of the Namoi River was estimated by Mitchell to be 11 3/4 feet at the point where he measured it.
What was the estimated height of the Nundewar Range?
- 50 feet
- 100 feet
- 200 feet
- 300 feet
Correct Answer: 200 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell estimated the height of the Nundewar Range to be around 200 feet. The range presented a significant obstacle for Mitchell’s expedition, and he was forced to find a way to navigate through it in order to continue his journey westward.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal natives who remained in a savage state, distinct from the half-civilised natives?
- Myalls
- Coradje
- Cooey
- Witefellow
Correct Answer: Myalls
Correct Answer Explanation: Mitchell used the term “Myalls” to describe Aboriginal natives who remained in a savage state, distinct from the half-civilised natives who were more used to interacting with Europeans.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal huts that were often temporary shelters made from bark or other materials?
- Gunyas
- Cooey
- Waddy
- Woomera
Correct Answer: Gunyas
Correct Answer Explanation: “Gunyas” were the Aboriginal huts that were often temporary shelters made from bark or other materials, and were used by the people he encountered as he traveled through the Australian interior.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal stone hatchet?
- Mogo
- Uluguer
- Waddy
- Woomera
Correct Answer: Mogo
Correct Answer Explanation: “Mogo” was the term used by the Aboriginal people for the stone hatchet which was an important tool for many different tasks.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal headband?
- Mogo
- Uluguer
- Waddy
- Woomera
Correct Answer: Uluguer
Correct Answer Explanation: “Uluguer” was the term Mitchell used for the headband that was worn by the Aboriginal people.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal club?
- Mogo
- Uluguer
- Waddy
- Woomera
Correct Answer: Waddy
Correct Answer Explanation: A “Waddy” was the term for an Aboriginal club that was used for a variety of purposes, including hunting, fighting, and ceremonies.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal spear-thrower?
- Mogo
- Uluguer
- Waddy
- Woomera
Correct Answer: Woomera
Correct Answer Explanation: A “Woomera” is an Aboriginal spear-thrower, a tool that was used to increase the range and accuracy of a thrown spear.
What did Mitchell call the native call, used for communication?
- Mogo
- Uluguer
- Waddy
- Cooey
Correct Answer: Cooey
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Cooey” is a distinctive call used for communication over long distances and was a key part of how Aboriginal people kept in touch with each other and maintained their social structure.
What did Mitchell call the native term for the white man?
- Myalls
- Coradje
- Witefellow
- Cooey
Correct Answer: Witefellow
Correct Answer Explanation: “Witefellow” was the term used by the Aboriginal people to describe the white man. It is an interesting example of how language can reflect cultural differences and perceptions.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal dance, often with a warlike or ceremonial purpose?
- Myalls
- Corrobory
- Cooey
- Witefellow
Correct Answer: Corrobory
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Corrobory” is a traditional Aboriginal dance that was used for a variety of purposes, including storytelling, celebration, mourning, and warfare.
What did Mitchell call the Aboriginal priest or medicine man?
- Myalls
- Corrobory
- Cooey
- Coradje
Correct Answer: Coradje
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Coradje” was a respected figure in Aboriginal society, who was responsible for healing, spiritual guidance, and maintaining the balance between the natural world and the human world.