Funeral Service Practice Exam

What term describes traveling salesmen who sold their products from town to town?

1. peddlers

2. drummers

3. caravans

4. merchants

The correct answer is: drummers

The correct answer is that traveling salesmen who sold their products from town to town are referred to as "drummers." This term specifically denotes sales representatives who would travel to various locations to showcase and sell goods, often transporting their wares with them. Drummers were particularly common in the 19th and early 20th centuries and played an important role in the distribution of products to rural communities where conventional retail options might be limited. While "peddlers" also describes those who sell goods from place to place, the term generally applies to individuals selling smaller, often inexpensive items. "Merchants" usually refers to individuals or businesses engaged in wholesale trade or significant retail operations, rather than those who travel from town to town. "Caravans" refers to groups of travelers or traders journeying together, often in a more communal setup, rather than individual salespersons. Therefore, "drummers" is the most precise term for the type of traveling salesman described in the question.