Social Studies: Core Subjects Study Material Part 2

What is the primary advantage of using primary sources, such as diaries or letters, in historical research?

A. They are objective and unbiased.

B. They provide firsthand accounts of events.

C. They are easily accessible online.

D. They are always written in a clear and concise manner.

The correct answer is B. Primary sources offer a unique perspective on historical events because they were created by people who lived through or witnessed them. This firsthand account can provide valuable insights into the time period.

Where did the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review come from?

A. the Judiciary Act of 1789

B. an order by the president

C. an amendment to the Constitution

D. the court’s interpretation of the Constitution

The correct answer is D. The court gave itself the power of judicial review in the case of Marbury v. Madison. The Judiciary Act was the first law subjected to judicial review. The president does not have the power to change the powers of the Supreme Court. There is no amendment to the Constitution that concerns the Supreme Court.

Use the chart and your knowledge of Social Studies to answer the following question. 

What is the primary reason for the significant population growth in Dallas, Texas, over the past two decades?

A. A decline in the cost of living compared to other major cities.

B. An increase in government subsidies for new residents.

C. A decrease in job opportunities in other regions.

D. A natural disaster that forced people to relocate to Dallas.

A is correct. Dallas has experienced a significant population increase due to its relatively lower cost of living compared to other major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive destination for people seeking affordable housing and a better quality of life.

Which of the following statements best describes the differences between monetary and fiscal policy?

A. Monetary policy refers to government actions to control taxes and government spending, while fiscal policy involves adjustments to interest rates and the money supply.

B. Monetary policy involves adjustments to interest rates and the money supply, while fiscal policy refers to government actions to control taxes and government spending.

C. Both monetary and fiscal policy involve adjustments to interest rates and the money supply, with no distinction between the two.

D. Monetary policy and fiscal policy are unrelated to economic management and focus on other aspects of government control.

The correct answer is B. Monetary policy involves adjustments to interest rates and the money supply, while fiscal policy refers to government actions to control taxes and government spending. Monetary policy refers to actions taken by central banks, such as adjusting interest rates and controlling the money supply, to influence the overall economy. It aims to regulate inflation, unemployment, and overall economic growth. Fiscal policy, on the other hand, involves government decisions regarding taxes and government spending. It is typically determined by the legislative branch and is used to manage the overall demand in the economy and influence economic conditions.

Which mode of subsistence requires humans to hunt, fish and gather what food they could find?

A. Foraging

B. Pastoralism

C. Horticulture

D. Gathering

Answer A is correct because foraging is defined as hunting, fishing and gathering.

Answers B & C are incorrect because pastoralism requires humans to breed, keep, and herd animals, while horticulture requires humans to plant, tend, and grow their own crops.

Answer D is incorrect because gathering alone does not cover hunting or fishing.

Students are completing a cause & effect chart that asks them to look at the conflicts between the United States and the Comanche tribe. One of the causes included territory disputes, coupled with the strong trading capability of the Comanche with other tribes. This enabled the Comanche to continue to raid early Texas settlers and disrupt their ability to successfully move West. Which disciplines are being connected in this lesson?

Correct answer:

A. Geography, History & Economics

B. Civics, History & Economics

C. Geography & Economics

D. Civics & Geography

 The correct answer is A, because the cause and effect chart covers geography because students are looking at trade routes, and territorial disputes. It covers history as this topic falls within early United States history, and economics because it covers control of resources that hold monetary value.

When citizens choose their representatives and the President by voting in regularly held elections, this demonstrates which principle of the Constitution?    

A. Federalism

B. Popular Sovereignty

C. Checks and Balances

D. Limited Government

Answer B. Popular Sovereignty is correct because the definition of popular sovereignty is that the people choose their representatives, including the office of the President.

Which of the following documents established the United States as a new nation?    

A. The Mayflower Compact

B. The Magna Carta

C. The Declaration of Independence

D. The Emancipation Proclamation 

The correct answer is C: The Declaration of Independence. This document, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, declared the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain.

Which element of a map communicates the relative size or distance?

A. Legend

B. Scale

C. Figure

D. Title

 Answer B is correct because the scale of a map always communicates distance or size of elements on the map.

What are the steps required to make a federal law in the U.S.?   

A. proposal, debate, vote, presidential approval

B. proposal, committee review, debate, vote, presidential approval 

C. proposal, debate, committee review, vote, presidential approval 

D. proposal, presidential approval, committee review, debate, vote

The correct answer is B. This outlines the correct steps required to make a federal law in the U.S. First, a proposal is made by a member of Congress. Then, the proposal is reviewed by a committee, where it may be amended or rejected. After committee review, the proposal is debated and voted on by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If the proposal passes both chambers, it is sent to the President for approval or veto.

Referring to the sentence below, what is the definition of “roughneck” in this context?

 

“He gave up on college to roughneck on oil wells in west Texas.”

A. A rough or uncouth person

B. A gangster

C. An oil rig worker

D. A rascal

The correct answer is C. An oil rig worker.

What is the difference between adaptation and modification of the environment?

A. Adaptation involves changing an organism's physical or behavioral traits to better suit its environment, while modification of the environment involves altering the environment itself to suit human needs.

B. Adaptation refers to altering the environment to meet the needs of organisms, while modification of the environment refers to organisms changing their traits in response to environmental changes.

C. Adaptation and modification of the environment are essentially the same concept and can be used interchangeably.

D. Adaptation involves changing the environment to benefit organisms, while modification of the environment refers to organisms changing their traits to better survive in their habitat.

The correct answer is A. Adaptation involves changing an organism's physical or behavioral traits to better suit its environment, while modification of the environment involves altering the environment itself to suit human needs. Adaptation refers to the process by which organisms evolve traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment. This can involve changes in behavior, anatomy, or physiology. On the other hand, modification of the environment involves human activities that alter the natural landscape or ecosystems to meet human needs, such as building dams, clearing forests, or constructing cities.

When presenting a map to students it’s always important to have students identify which of the following?

A. the scale, the ground, and the legend

B. the scale, the figure, the legend, and the ground

C. the legend is the most important part of map analysis

D. the legend, the figure, the scale & the source/credits

Answer D is correct because students need to identify 4 main pieces of information to read a map carefully, this includes the legend, figure, scale and source.

Pull factors for migration include which of the following?

A. loss of economic opportunity and religious reasons

B. lack of educational opportunities

C. war or famine

D. economic and educational opportunities

D is the correct answer. Economic and educational opportunities can work to draw people from one location, region, or country to another.

What is the idea that if Vietnam fell to communism, then the other Southeast Asian countries would follow?

A. Domino Theory

B. Containment Theory

C. Manifest Destiny

D. Imperialism

The correct answer is A. Domino Theory.

Which of the following correctly describes weathering, erosion and deposition?

A. Weathering is movement of sediment, erosion is the breaking down of rock, and deposition is the dropping of sediment in a new place.

B. Weathering is the breaking down of rock, erosion is the movement of sediment, and deposition is the dropping of sediment.

C. Weathering is the dropping of sediment, erosion is the breaking down of rock, and deposition is the movement of sediment.

D. Weathering is the conditions of the atmosphere outside, erosion is the path water takes, and deposition is a mudslide. 

The correct answer is B. Weathering impacts rock (not sediment), while erosion and deposition impact sediment. Erosion is when sediment is moved, and deposition is when sediment is dropped.

Erosion is the action of surface processes that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Which of the following could cause erosion to occur?

A. Moonlight

B. Wind

C. Reforestation

D. Planting an apple orchard on a hill

The answer is B. Wind plays a huge part in erosion on Earth's surface.  Moonlight, Reforestation and planting a lone apple tree are not erosional factors.  

The United States can best be described as having which governmental system?

A. Direct democracy

B. Oligarchy

C. Republic

D. Representative Democracy

Answer D is correct because while the U.S. relies on democratic processes on some electoral outcomes, the U.S. also utilizes representatives for the majority of its legislative processes.

Which of the following show the successes of Reconstruction?

A. Birth of the KKK, Black Codes, and Jim Crow Laws

B. Black Codes, the 13th Amendment, and the 14th Amendment

C. The 13th-15th Amendments, African Americans elected to office

D. 13th - 15th Amendments, Black Codes, and the Plessy v. Ferguson Ruling

Answer C is correct because it’s the only answer where every option was a success of Reconstruction - amendments for the abolishment of slavery, equal protection under the law, citizenship, and the fact that hundreds of African Americans were elected to different offices around the country.

Which reference tool allows users to determine their precise location on the Earth's surface using satellite signals?

A. Global Positioning System (GPS)

B. Geographic Information System (GIS)

C. Computer Database

D. Almanac 

The correct answer is A. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a geographic reference tool that uses satellite signals to determine the precise location of a receiver on the Earth's surface. It is commonly used for navigation and location-based services.

Which event of the American Revolution gave the French the confidence they needed to join the war on the side of the colonists?

A. Battle of Saratoga

B. Battle of Yorktown

C. Battle of Lexington and Concord

D. Treaty of Paris

The correct answer is A. The Battle of Saratoga was an enormous win for the colonists and it was that huge British loss that gave the French the confidence to join the colonial Patriots against the British.

Which criteria should students consider when evaluating a research article that cites reputable sources and provides statistical data to support its claims?

A. Emotional Appeal

B. Unstated Assumptions

C. Logical Validity

D. Credibility

The correct answer is D.  In this scenario, students should assess the credibility of the sources cited in the research article to determine whether they are reputable and authoritative. By considering the credibility of the sources, students can gauge the reliability and trustworthiness of the information presented in the article.

A 4th-grade teacher has his students do some research on Native American tribes. The teacher has also given students direct instruction and has done group activities on the same topic. At the end of three weeks, the students will be turning in posters to assess their learning of these tribes. The poster is an example of which type of assessment?

A. Primary assessment

B. Tertiary assessment

C. Formative assessment

D. Summative assessment

 Answer D is correct because summative assessments check to see if students have learned a chunk of content over a longer length of time.

The United States Supreme Court cited the idea of separate but equal to justify the decision in which of the following cases?

A. Plessy v. Ferguson

B. McCulloch v. Maryland

C. Dred Scott v. Sandford

D. Texas v. White

 Answer A is correct. The Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine of separate but equal, first established by the Morrill Act of 1890.

Read the passage and answer the following question. 

 

"The concept of nationalism emerged in Europe during the 19th century, as people began to identify strongly with their nation and its culture."

 

How does the author refine the meaning of "nationalism" in this passage?

A. By defining nationalism as a sense of pride in one's country

B. By emphasizing the role of one's heritage in shaping nationalism

C. By connecting nationalism to the rise of nation-states

D. By contrasting nationalism with patriotism

The correct answer is B. The author refines the meaning of "nationalism" by highlighting the importance of customs and practices in fostering a sense of national identity. While nationalism is often associated with pride in one's country, the passage emphasizes the factors that contribute to this sense of belonging.

Which source contains detailed maps and charts that provide visual representations of geographical features, political boundaries, and topography?

A. Atlas 

B. Almanac

C. Satellite Images

D. Encyclopedia 

The correct answer is A. An atlas is a geographic reference source that contains detailed maps and charts, providing visual representations of geographical features, political boundaries, and topography.

When selecting investment securities, which of the following statements is true?

A. A priority should be given to explosive growth potential securities for all clients

B. Bonds are the most efficient way to achieve financial goals for all clients

C. Investments should be standardized no matter who the client is

D. Investment product should reflect the stage of life and risk tolerance of an investor

The correct answer is D because investors’ needs over time will change and need to be evaluated regularly. 

This economic shift that began in the 1500’s was characterized by a focus on exports while limiting imports. The idea was to make as many products at home as possible, while selling the excess for profit to other nations. What is being described in here?

A. Industrial Revolution

B. Feudalism

C. Merchant Capitalism

D. Mercantilism

Answer D is correct because mercantilism is the economic strategy that relies on an export economy, while limiting imports. This means citizens within the economic system are making almost everything they need.

A teacher is looking for primary resources to use for a lesson on the American Revolution. Which of the following would best fit the teacher’s needs?

A. The adopted textbook by the curriculum department. 

B. A historical article for a journal written and published in the last 5 years. 

C. The U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.

D. A historical fiction book taking place during the American Revolution.

 The correct answer is C. Primary sources of information are written during the time period you are researching. 

Consider the following 8th grade U.S. History standard,  8.1.(B) compare political, economic, religious, and social reasons for the establishment of the 13 English colonies. Which of the following is the best student objective (I can statement) for this standard?

A. I can identify the reasons why colonies were established in North America.

B. I can identify the political, economic, religious, and social reasons for England establishing colonies in North America.

C. I can compare the 13 colonies.

D. I can compare the political, economic, religious, and social reasons for the establishment of the 13 English colonies.

Competency 003: The correct answer is D. I can compare the political, economic, religious, and social reasons for the establishment of the 13 English colonies.

The image below is an example of …

A. WWI Propaganda

, Not Selected

B. 1950s Cold War Propaganda

, Not Selected

Correct answer:

C. WWII Homefront Propaganda

D. Civil War Homefront Propaganda

, Not Selected

The correct answer is C. WWII Homefront Propaganda. The home front effort of WWII included rationing and victory gardens as depicted in the propaganda picture above.

When teaching about a current event or issue, best practices in history include which of the following?

A. Teachers should present the material from multiple perspectives.

B. Teachers should create a pro-con list, forcing students to choose a side. 

C. Teachers should present the material in a way that encourages students to support only one perspective.

D. The teacher should share their personal opinions to ensure that students think the way their teacher does. 

Answer A is correct because best practices in history require that issues be looked at from multiple perspectives.

When asking students to conduct research, what is the best way to support them in the research process?

A. Have them use a graphic organizer or 3 Column-chart to track their learning

B. Have them verbally check in with the teacher each day to track their learning

C. Have them print out all their sources and keep them stapled together

D. Instruct them to only use primary sources as it’s the only safe way to find a credible source

 Answer A is correct because it teaches students to summarize and distill the learning that they have gained during research, while having them put the ideas into their own words.

What was the significance of the Battle of Palmito Ranch, fought in May 1865, in the context of the Civil War?

A. It was the first battle fought in Texas during the Civil War.

B. It was the last battle of the Civil War, occurring after Lee's surrender.

C. It was a decisive victory for Union forces, leading to the capture of Galveston.

D. It marked the beginning of Reconstruction in Texas.

B is correct because the Battle of Palmito Ranch occurred after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, marking the final significant conflict of the war.

What was a result of the service of the Tuskegee Airmen?

A. President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802 which opened national defense jobs.

B. President Truman issued  Executive Order 9981 which ended making judgements based on race in the military.

C. President Eisenhower issued the Civil Rights Act of 1957 prohibiting any person from keeping another person from voting.

D. The 24th Amendment was ratified which made poll taxes unconstitutional.

The correct answer is B. President Truman issued  Executive Order 9981 which ended making judgements based on race in the military.

Which region of the U.S. is categorized by a semi-arid climate, hot temperatures, and is home to the Mojave, Chihuahuan, and Sonoran deserts?

A. The West

B. The Southeast

C. The Southwest

D. Northwest

Answer C is correct because the Southwest is the only region that is home to three deserts, with climates that are mainly semi-arid and warm.

Which of the following is the best example of human-environmental interaction?

A. The Plains Indians participating in various Sun Dance rituals in order to reunite the earth with the spirits to renew life.

B. The Incan peoples practiced terraced farming allowing crops that succeed in warmer temperatures to be planted at the base of mountains (where it’s warmer), while planting hardier crops towards the top of the hillsides (where it’s drier and cooler).

C. The state government of Texas conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the TANF programs to alleviate poverty in the state.

D. When John Locke wrote about natural rights, he claimed that all humans are entitled to life, liberty and property. These rights were inalienable, and he called for the governments of Europe to consider these rights when ruling over their citizens.

Answer B is correct because it’s the only example where human beings interact with the environment in a way that supports their survival. By utilizing the different climate zones on hillsides the Incan people were able to produce higher quality and larger amounts of food to support a larger civilization.

What function does a producer serve within the realm of economics?

A. Sell goods to the consumer

B. Collect goods from the consumer

C. Purchase goods from the consumer

D. Create goods for the consumer

the correct answer is D. Producers make goods for the consumers to purchase. 

A-C do not accurately describe the role of the producer in economics. 

The founders borrowed this concept from the ancient Greeks. This concept dictates that the government will be made up of representatives who are supposed to represent the will of the people. Which of the following concepts is being described here?

A. Federalism 

B. Separation of Powers

C. Limited Government

D. Republicanism 

Answer D. Republicanism is correct because it is the term that our founders borrowed from ancient Greece, and the purpose of Republicanism is to allow the people to choose a representative who will enact rules and laws that benefit society.

Which economic era began in the 1700’s was characterized by mass production, the use of the combustion engine, and the creation of the division of labor?

A. Industrial Revolution

B. Tech Boom

C. Merchant Capitalism

D. Early Civilization

Answer A is correct because during the industrial revolution the world entered the phase of mass production, and the use of the combustion engine. This created a division of labor.

What was the main cause of the Córdova Rebellion of 1838?

A. Discontent among Tejanos and Native Americans against the Republic of Texas government

B. Opposition to the annexation of Texas by the United States

C. The refusal of Texas settlers to follow Mexican land grant laws

D. Disputes over boundary lines between Texas and Louisiana

A is correct because the rebellion, led by Vicente Córdova, was driven by dissatisfaction with the treatment of Tejanos and Native Americans by the Anglo-led Republic of Texas government. Córdova sought to restore Mexican influence in Texas.

Which European explorer was the first to write about the North American Indian way of life?

Correct answer:

A. Cabeza de Vaca

B. Coronado

C. Onate

D. La Salle

 Answer A is correct because Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to write about the daily life of Native Americans. Answers B-D are incorrect because they all explored the Americas after Cabeza de Vaca.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of comparative advantage in international trade?   

A. Countries should only specialize in producing goods for which they have an absolute advantage.

B. The country with the highest production costs should specialize in producing goods for which it has the lowest opportunity cost. 

C. Countries should not engage in trade if they have similar production capabilities.

D. Countries should specialize in producing goods that are most in demand in the domestic market.

 The correct answer is B. The country with the highest production costs should specialize in producing goods for which it has the lowest opportunity cost.

Use the map to answer the following question. Prior to Manifest Destiny, the majority of the population of the United States lived in which region?

A. Region A

B. Region B

C. Region C

D. Region D

The correct answer is A. Region A. Prior to Manifest Destiny, most of the population of the United States lived East of the Mississippi River.

Which U.S. president is credited with the ideology of Dollar Diplomacy, was adamantly against monopolies, and was responsible for breaking up the Standard Oil conglomerate?

A. William McKinley

B. Teddy Roosevelt

C. William Taft

D. Andrew Jackson

The correct answer is C. William Taft.

Which of the following terms is being described below?

Production of goods is directly for use, not sale. Government jobs focus on redistribution of wealth to decrease the gap between the rich and poor.

A. Socialism

B. Capitalism

C. Communism

D. Consumerism

The correct answer is A. Socialism is an economic and political system characterized by collective ownership of the means of production and distribution, with the goal of achieving social equality and eliminating class distinctions.

Referring to the map above, which continent would be found at 60 degrees West and 15 degrees South?  

A. North America

B. South America 

C. Africa

D. Asia

The correct answer is B. South America. If you follow the lines of longitude and latitude you would first find 60 degrees West (to the left of zero degrees) and then you would find 15 degree South (down from zero degrees - the equator).

When presenting a map to students it’s always important to have them identify:

A. the scale, the ground, and the legend.

B. the scale, the figure, the legend, and the ground.

C. the legend is the most important part of map analysis.

D. the legend, the figure, the scale & the source/credits.

Answer D is correct because students need to identify 4 main pieces of information to read a map carefully, this includes the legend, figure, scale and source.

Which of the following was significant because it offered representation in Colonial America?

A. Mayflower Compact

B. Virginia House of Burgesses

C. Declaration of Independence

D. Valley Forge

Answer B is correct because the first time colonists had representation in British Parliament was the creation of the Virginia House of Burgess.

Which of the following best describes an Autocratic government system?

A. A government system that is characterized by a concentration of power and authority in the hands of a single ruler or a small group, often without significant checks or participation from the broader population.

B. A government system that is characterized by the participation of citizens in decision-making processes through regular elections, respect for individual rights, and the rule of law.

C. A government system that is characterized by a single individual, often a hereditary position, holding supreme authority and acting as the head of state.

D. A government system that is characterized by the rule of religious leaders or institutions, where religious principles and beliefs guide political decision-making and governance.

The correct answer is A. Autocratic governments are controlled by one person or a small group and any threat to their authority is beaten down.