- 1. During Colonial America, a variety of obsolete units of measurement were used that reflected the blend of cultures and traditions from Europe and the indigenous peoples of the land. These units included the rod, a measurement of length equivalent to 5.5 yards, often used in land surveying, and the furlong, which measured 1/8 of a mile, primarily in agricultural contexts. The colonial economy also leaned on the ancient weighing system of pounds and ounces, but with local adaptations leading to variations such as the 'New York pound' which differed slightly from the British pound. Additionally, volume measurements included the gallon, with differences in definitions leading to the 'wine gallon' and 'ale gallon,' illustrating the variance in trade practices. The 'hogshead' and 'barrel' were common terms for larger quantities of goods, especially in tobacco and lumber trade. As the colonies grew and began to establish their own identity, many of these measurements became impractical and were gradually replaced by more standardized measurements, culminating in the eventual adoption of the imperial and metric systems in the centuries that followed. This transition not only reflects the evolving nature of commerce and trade but also serves as a historical testament to the dynamic cultural exchanges that shaped early American society.
Which unit was used to measure land area in colonial America?
A) Square Mile
B) Square Foot
C) Acre
D) Hectare
- 2. How many feet are in a fathom?
A) 9
B) 3
C) 6
D) 12
- 3. The term 'gill' is a measurement of what?
A) Length
B) Weight
C) Volume
D) Area
- 4. One 'stone' is equal to how many pounds?
A) 12
B) 16
C) 14
D) 10
- 5. A 'cord' is a measurement of what?
A) Liquid volume
B) Land area
C) Wood volume
D) Grain weight
- 6. How many inches are in a 'nail'?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 3
D) 1
- 7. What unit of length is equal to 1/100th of a chain?
A) Link
B) Rod
C) Foot
D) Yard
- 8. The measurement 'chain' is commonly used to measure what?
A) Weight
B) Volume
C) Time
D) Land
- 9. The 'inch' was derived from which body part?
A) Foot
B) Ear
C) Thumb
D) Hand
- 10. What unit did colonial Americans use to measure the weight of produce?
A) Yard
B) Pound
C) Bushel
D) Gallon
- 11. In colonial times, what was 'a hogshead'?
A) A type of fish
B) A large cask or barrel
C) A weight measure
D) A length measure
- 12. What does 'furlong' measure?
A) Weight
B) Distance
C) Volume
D) Area
- 13. What measurement was commonly used for dry volume in the colonies?
A) Fluid Ounce
B) Cubic Meter
C) Peck
D) Liter
- 14. In colonial measurements, 1 league is approximately equal to how many miles?
A) 4 miles
B) 2 miles
C) 5 miles
D) 3 miles
- 15. The ‘ell’ is a unit of measurement primarily used for what?
A) Height of a building
B) Length of cloth
C) Volume of liquid
D) Weight of grain
- 16. How many pints are in a gallon?
A) 8 pints
B) 10 pints
C) 4 pints
D) 6 pints
- 17. What is the equivalent of 1 chain in feet?
A) 66 feet
B) 200 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 100 feet
- 18. What unit is equivalent to 12 inches?
A) Chain
B) Rod
C) Yard
D) Foot
- 19. What is the standard weight of a ‘carat’ in jewelry?
A) 200 milligrams
B) 300 milligrams
C) 400 milligrams
D) 100 milligrams
- 20. What unit signified a measure of length equal to 1/10 of a mile?
A) Yard
B) League
C) Furlong
D) Rod
- 21. A ‘gallon’ in the US is how many fluid ounces?
A) 256 fluid ounces
B) 64 fluid ounces
C) 128 fluid ounces
D) 96 fluid ounces
- 22. What unit of weight was commonly used for bulk goods?
A) Hundredweight
B) Stone
C) Ounce
D) Pound
- 23. A ‘pint’ is equal to how many fluid ounces?
A) 8 fluid ounces
B) 20 fluid ounces
C) 16 fluid ounces
D) 12 fluid ounces
- 24. What is the standard measurement for a 'gill' in fluid ounces?
A) 4 fluid ounces
B) 2 fluid ounces
C) 6 fluid ounces
D) 5 fluid ounces
- 25. What length is equivalent to 1 rod?
A) 16.5 feet
B) 20 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 18 feet
- 26. What measurement is used for the volume of grain, equivalent to 32 quarts?
A) Bushel
B) Pint
C) Sack
D) Gallon
- 27. An ‘ell’ is approximately equal to how many feet?
A) 36 inches
B) 30 inches
C) 45 inches
D) 60 inches
- 28. What unit of length is equal to 3 feet?
A) Rod
B) Fathom
C) Chain
D) Yard
- 29. A ‘gill’ is a measurement of what?
A) Area
B) Liquid
C) Length
D) Weight
- 30. What was a ‘span’ used to measure?
A) Width of a hand
B) Height of a person
C) Length of a rope
D) Distance between feet
- 31. A ‘troy ounce’ is primarily used to measure what?
A) Precious metals
B) Food items
C) Liquid
D) Textiles
- 32. How many cubic inches are there in a gallon?
A) 300 cubic inches
B) 231 cubic inches
C) 250 cubic inches
D) 200 cubic inches
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