Social studies released_items_oct_2011[1]

STAAR
TM

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

SOCIAL STUDIES

Grade 8

2011 Released Test Questions

These released questions represent selected TEKS student expectations for each
reporting category. These questions are samples only and do not represent all the
student expectations eligible for assessment.

Copyright © 2011, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited
without express written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

STAAR Grade 8 Social Studies 2011 Release
Released Test Questions

1

Your Highnesses . . . resolved to send me . . . to the said parts of India to see the said
princes, and the cities and lands, and their disposition, with a view that they might
?
__________; and ordered that I should not go by land to the eastward, as had been
customary, but that I should go by way of the west, whither up to this day, we do not
know for certain that any one has gone.

—Christopher Columbus

Which of the following completes the excerpt?

A teach us how to craft their goods

B be converted to our holy faith

C be brought to our country as slaves

D teach us about the stars and planets

2

Of the complicated European systems of national polity we have heretofore been
independent. From their wars, their tumults, and anxieties we have been, happily,
almost entirely exempt. Whilst these are confined to the nations which gave them
existence, . . . they can not affect us except as they appeal to our sympathies in the
cause of human freedom and universal advancement.
—President Franklin Pierce, inaugural address, 1853

These remarks best reflect a confirmation of which U.S. president’s foreign-policy goals?

A George Washington

B James Madison

C James Monroe

D John Quincy Adams

Page 2


3

Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory, and
shed American blood upon the American soil.

And whereas this House desires to obtain a full knowledge of all the facts which go
to establish whether the particular spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was
so shed was, or was not, our own soil, at that time . . .

This is no war of defence, but one unnecessary and of offensive aggression.

Such a “conquest,” stigmatize it as you please, must necessarily be a great blessing
to the conquered.

These excerpts offer different points of view about —

A the Texas War of Independence

B the admission of California to the Union

C the U.S.-Mexican War

D the acquisition of the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico

Page 3


4 In 1854, Anthony Burns, a fugitive slave from Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested in Boston
and returned to Virginia. Which federal legislation provided the basis for Burns’s arrest?

A The Kansas-Nebraska Act

B The Homestead Act

C The Compromise of 1850

D The Gadsden Purchase

5

1850 1870

KEY
City Population

10,000–250,000 Over 1 million
250,001–1 million State as of census day

Which of these best explains the change in population and distribution of U.S. cities from
1850 to 1870?

A The passage of homesteading legislation

B The admission of new states to the Union

C The expansion of the railroad system and increased industrialization

D The emancipation of slaves after the Civil War

Page 4


6

Erie Canal Aqueduct, Rochester, New York

Which of these resulted from the modification to the environment shown in this illustration?

A The surrounding area became more industrialized.

B Community parks were established to preserve wildlife.

C Property was damaged by increased flooding.

D Crop irrigation declined because of water pollution.

7 Although many farmers fought in the Civil War, farms in both the Union and Confederacy were
able to continue operating because —

A military officers assigned troops to work on farms

B new farm machinery was imported from overseas

C women often managed farm operations

D relief organizations provided emergency farm labor

Page 5


8 Which excerpt from the Constitution expresses the principle of federalism?

A “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United
States. . . .”

B “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the
Recess of the Senate. . . .”

C “The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during
good Behaviour. . . .”

D “The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the States
respectively. . . .”

9

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the
Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for
proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and
Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three
fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof. . . .
—Article V of the U.S. Constitution

Article V, excerpted above, is included in the U.S. Constitution to allow for the —

A adaptation of laws to reflect changes in society

B revision of laws by the executive branch

C resolution of conflicts through the judicial system

D validation of elections by a national authority

Page 6


10 A writ of habeas corpus requires an official to bring a prisoner before a civil court to justify
the prisoner’s arrest. President Abraham Lincoln authorized the suspension of habeas corpus
during the Civil War.

Ex parte Merryman

In 1861, John Merryman, a citizen of Maryland, was imprisoned by
military order and held without trial. He challenged the power of the
president to suspend habeas corpus.

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney reviewed the case and decided that
only Congress had the power to suspend habeas corpus.

President Lincoln and his administration continued to suspend
habeas corpus throughout the Civil War.

By ignoring Chief Justice Taney’s ruling, President Lincoln —

A exercised a constitutional check on judicial power

B disregarded the principle of judicial review

C upheld the concept of federalism

D invoked the principle of separation of powers

Page 7


11

N

W E

S

The two shaded states on this map were admitted to the Union under the terms of a
compromise involving the —

A resolution of a boundary dispute with Great Britain

B expansion of slavery into western territories

C relocation of American Indians to western territories

D counting of the slave population for purposes of representation

Page 8


12

• Canal networks
• Swiftly flowing rivers
• Extensive railroad systems
• Banking and investment centers

In the nineteenth century, the availability of the resources in this list resulted in —

A an increase in the number of factories in the Northeast

B the development of industrial labor unions in the South

C an increase in the number of immigrants moving to the South

D the expansion of commercial agriculture in the Northeast

13 How did the disruption in Atlantic shipping prior to and during the War of 1812 significantly
affect the U.S. economy?

A Imports of raw materials increased in the Northeast.

B Americans emigrated to Europe to find manufacturing jobs.

C Cotton sales from southern states to Europe increased.

D American industries expanded to provide replacements for foreign goods.

Page 9


14

Factors Contributing to the
Industrial Revolution in the
United States

• The flow of imported goods is cut
off during the War of 1812.
• Manufacturers invest in industrial
technology.
• River water provides power to run
factory machines.

• ?
Which of the following best completes the table above?

A Immigration expands the labor force.

B The government seizes control of factories.

C Overland trade routes become obsolete.

D A scarcity of raw materials causes prices to rise.

Page 10

Answer Key

Item Reporting Readiness or Content Student Process Student Correct
Number Category Supporting Expectation Expectation Answer
1 1 Readiness 8.2(A) 8.29(B) B
2 1 Readiness 8.5(E) 8.29(B) A
3 1 Readiness 8.6(D) 8.29(E) C
4 1 Readiness 8.7(C) C
5 2 Readiness 8.10(B) 8.29(J) C
6 2 Supporting 8.11(B) 8.29(C) A
7 2 Supporting 8.23(E) C
8 3 Readiness 8.15(D) D
9 3 Readiness 8.16(A) 8.29(B) A
10 3 Readiness 8.18(A) 8.29(C) B
11 3 Supporting 8.21(C) 8.29(C) B
12 4 Supporting 8.12(C) 8.29(B) A
13 4 Supporting 8.13(A) D
14 4 Readiness 8.13(B) 8.29(B) A

For more information about the new STAAR assessments, go to

www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/.

Page 11

STAAR
TM

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

U.S. History



Copyright © 2011, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this
work is prohibited without express written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

STAAR U.S. History 2011 Release

1 After the attacks on September 11, 2001, how did U.S. foreign policy change?

A The administration authorized preemptive strikes against nations sponsoring terrorism.

B A program to reduce military bases and personnel in Europe was announced.

C Military aid to Pakistan and Afghanistan was immediately cut off.

D Diplomatic efforts to negotiate peace between Israel and Palestine were abandoned.

2

Questions Asked of Japanese Americans in 1943

No. 27. Are you willing to serve in the armed forces of the United States on
combat duty, wherever ordered?

No. 28. Will you swear unqualified allegiance to the United States of America
and faithfully defend the United States from any or all attack by foreign or
domestic forces, and foreswear any form of allegiance or obedience to the
Japanese emperor, or any other foreign government, power, or organization?

Japanese Americans were required to answer these questions before they were —

A given a dishonorable discharge from the military

B allowed to contest deportation orders to return to Japan

C released from relocation centers

D allowed to apply for repatriation to Japan

Page 2


3

Cambodia
so
La
m
tna
rea Vie
Chin
a Ko

This drawing illustrates the U.S. rationale behind —

A entering agreements designed to prevent the use of nuclear weapons

B establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China

C implementing a free-trade agreement with the government of North Korea

D providing military aid to Ngo Dinh Diem’s government

Page 3


4 Which set of events is listed in chronological order?

1. The United States declares war against Japan.
2. President Richard Nixon resigns.
A 3. The Supreme Court upholds segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson.
4. Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected to a second presidential term.

1. The Supreme Court upholds segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson.
B 3. Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected to a second presidential term.

1. Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected to a second presidential term.
C 3. President Richard Nixon resigns.

D 3. Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected to a second presidential term.

5 During the early 1900s, Booker T. Washington supported a moderate strategy for attaining civil
rights for African Americans, while W. E. B. Du Bois called for a more aggressive approach. During
the 1960s, a similar difference emerged between —

A Medgar Evers and Thurgood Marshall

B Barbara Jordan and Alice Walker

C Rosa Parks and Marcus Garvey

D Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X

Page 4


6

House in Milton, North Dakota, 1898

Fred Hultstrand History in Pictures Collection, NDIRS-NDSU, Fargo
Homesteaders on the Great Plains found it necessary to build the type of house shown in the
photograph because —

A the ground was not stable enough to support heavier structures

B unpredictable weather conditions required settlers to build shelter rapidly

C access to timber was limited by distance and lack of transportation

D settlers lacked the skill required to build more-permanent structures

Page 5


7

1
Rural Urban
2

3 4

Suburban

Which arrow represents the heaviest volume of migration within the United States since 1960?

A 1

B 2

C 3

D 4

Page 6


8

Image courtesy of Cleveland State University

This informational poster illustrates —

A the resentment shown toward immigrants for taking U.S. jobs

B a government effort to implement quotas on immigration

C the movement to assimilate immigrants into U.S. culture

D the requirement that immigrants become U.S. citizens

Page 7


9

©Eugene Elderman, Washington Post

Which of the following does this 1937 political cartoon satirize?

A Congressional attempts to bypass the principle of separation of powers

B President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s attempt to reorganize the Supreme Court

C President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s refusal to cooperate with state governments

D Congressional attempts to undermine the principle of state sovereignty

Page 8


10 How did incidents like the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the secret bombing of Cambodia
eventually affect the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government?

A Presidents began to seek congressional approval of any military action.

B Congress attempted to limit the president’s ability to act unilaterally.

C The president relinquished to Congress the position of commander in chief.

D Congress called for the impeachment of a president following military failures in Vietnam.

11 The Supreme Court’s 1964 decision in Reynolds v. Sims significantly affected U.S. politics
by —

A limiting the use of the legislative filibuster

B regulating the amount of individual campaign contributions

C requiring that state legislative districts be roughly equal in population

D establishing term limits for elected government officials

Page 9


12 Which diagram shows how the completion of the transcontinental railroad contributed to the
closing of the western frontier?

Increased
Improved protection of
A
communications sites sacred to
American Indians

Higher demand
Greater ease
B for unclaimed
of travel
territory

Advances in Improved
C factory agricultural
technology processes

Faster shipping More profits
D of raw for timber
materials companies

13

Parents faced a great fear—the dreaded poliomyelitis, or polio as it is
commonly known. The disease had killed more than thirteen hundred
Americans . . . and crippled more than eighteen thousand more in the year
1954 alone. On April 12, 1955, America received the much-welcomed news
that Dr. Jonas Salk had ? .

—“Frontiers in History,” National Archives and Records Administration, 2001

Which of the following completes this excerpt?

A discovered a cure for infantile paralysis

B founded a private hospital for children with polio

C developed a vaccine against the frightening disease

D identified the mode by which the disease was transmitted

Page 10


14

I hold that a corporation does ill if it seeks profit in restricting production . . .
or seeking to achieve monopoly by illegal . . . treatment of its competitors. . . .
If, on the other hand, a corporation seeks profit solely by . . . treating the public
. . . and its rivals fairly: then such a corporation is behaving well. It is an
instrumentality of civilization operating to promote abundance by cheapening
the cost of living so as to improve conditions everywhere throughout the whole
community.

—Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography, 1913

The main strategy that President Roosevelt’s administration used to stop the type of business
practices criticized in this excerpt was to —

A establish the Federal Reserve System to regulate the money supply

B urge the Interstate Commerce Commission to decrease corporate regulations

C use the Sherman Antitrust Act to ensure competition in industry

D lobby Congress to loosen restrictions on foreign exports

Page 11

Answer Key



1 1 Readiness H.11(A) A

2 1 Readiness H.7(D) H.29(B) C
3 1 Readiness H.8(D) H.29(H) D

4 1 Supporting H.2(C) H.29(B) B

5 1 Supporting H.9(D) D

6 2 Readiness H.12(A) H.29(H) C

7 2 Readiness H.13(A) H.29(H) D

8 2 Supporting H.26(B) H.29(H) C

9 3 Readiness H.20(B) H.29(H) B

10 3 Supporting H.20(A) B

11 3 Readiness H.21(A) C

12 4 Supporting H.15(A) H.29(B) B

13 4 Supporting H.27(B) H.29(B) C

14 4 Readiness H.15(B) H.29(B) C



Page 12

STAAR
TM

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

World Geography




STAAR World Geography 2011 Release

1

2
1

4
3

In which location did merchants historically use monsoon winds to travel along trade routes?

A 1 C 3

B 2 D 4

2 The frequent changes in the political organization of Africa from the early sixteenth century to the
late nineteenth century reflected —

A attempts by European countries to establish colonies and gain control of certain regions

B an economic shift away from primarily agrarian activities toward primarily industrial ones

C the replacement of European trading partners with Asian ones

D efforts by territories to unite against potential colonizers

Page 2


3

Country 1

• Government controls all domestic broadcast media
• Two state-controlled television stations with one of the stations
controlled by the armed forces
• A third TV channel, a pay-TV station, is a joint state-private
venture
• Access to satellite TV is limited
• One state-controlled domestic radio station and six FM stations
that are joint state-private ventures

Country 2

• Two commercial television stations
• Cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels
• About 20 commercial radio stations broadcast

Which forms of government are best matched to the descriptions above?

A Country 1—Republic C Country 1—Constitutional monarchy
Country 2—Theocracy Country 2—Republic

B Country 1—Democracy D Country 1—Dictatorship
Country 2—Absolute monarchy Country 2—Democracy

4 In 1999, Turkey was recognized as a candidate for full membership in the European Union.
Turkey’s primary goal in making this membership bid is to benefit from —

A increased humanitarian assistance from member countries

B technological advances made by trading partners

C military assistance from member countries in times of conflict

D greater access to markets within the organization

Page 3


5

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and
entered into force on 16 February 2005. . . .

The Kyoto Protocol is generally seen as an important first step toward a truly global
emission reduction regime that will stabilize GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions, and
provides the essential architecture for any future international agreement on climate
change.

—United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website, http://unfcc.int
(accessed December 20, 2010)

Representing the United States, President Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto Treaty in 1998. However,
because of opposition in the U.S. Senate, the treaty has never been presented for ratification.

Which argument was most likely used by senators who opposed signing the treaty?

A The United Nations lacks the ability to enforce international agreements.

B The president has no authority to negotiate treaties on behalf of the United States.

C Congress had previously enacted much stricter environmental regulations.

D The United States should not submit to externally imposed environmental regulations.

Page 4


6

Annual Climatology of a National Capital:

Monthly Temperature and Precipitation

12
100

90

10

80

70

8

Temperature
Precipitation

60

Source: National Drought Mitigation Center
(in.)

(°F)
6
50

40

4

30

20
KEY
2

Precipitation
10

Temperature
0 0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Month

Which conclusion is best supported by the climograph?

A This city is part of a tropical rain forest.

B This city is subject to seasonal monsoons.

C This city is located in a high-latitude climate zone.

D This city is experiencing severe drought.

7 Which of the following typically occurs in the biosphere?

A Continuous circulation of hot and cold oceanic currents

B Regulation of the rate at which thermal energy leaves the planet

C The interaction of plants and animals within specific climate regions

D The recycling of the continental crust in subduction zones

Page 5


8 The deserts of the Middle East and North Africa are characterized by populations that —

A move to find resources that are thinly dispersed across a vast area

B work primarily in small cottage industries

C are nonviolent and practice ancient polytheistic religions

D organize their society around a matriarch

9

Poland in 2010
MALE FEMALE
100

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Data Base
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.4 0 0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2
Population
(millions)

Which conclusion about Poland is supported by the population pyramid?

A Citizens will spend less money on prenatal care in 20 years.

B The demand for gender equality in the workplace will increase.

C The need for care services for the elderly will increase.

D Government funding of public education will remain constant for the next 10 years.

Page 6


10

Selected Pull Factors
for Immigration

• Job opportunities
• Political freedom
• Access to education

In the twentieth century these factors encouraged migration primarily —

A by people with significant economic resources

B from one developed country to another

C from developing to developed countries

D among people with similar religious beliefs

11

Selected Characteristics of
Bolivia, Mexico, and Panama

Country Languages Primary Religion

• Spanish (official)
Roman
Source: The World Factbook, CIA

Bolivia • Quechua (official)
Catholicism
• Aymara (official)

• Spanish (official) Roman
Mexico
• Indigenous Catholicism

• Spanish (official) Roman
Panama
• English Catholicism

The common characteristics of these countries can be attributed to their —

A economic relationship with industrialized countries to their north

B past military alliances with one another

C preservation of Mayan and Aztec traditions

D history of colonization by a European country

Page 7


12 A geographer could place North Africa and Indonesia in the same category because most of the
people living in these regions —

A practice nomadic hunting

B rely on the monsoon season

C elect their own rulers

D adhere to the same religion

13

The number and diversity of fast-food restaurants across east China have mushroomed
in the past several years with no end in sight. From wonton to pizza to east China’s
favorite—fried chicken—, fast-food and chain restaurants are popular, partly because they
are more affordable than other types of restaurants to a great number of Chinese.

As recently as 1993, Chinese consumers had few fast-food choices. Restaurant food was
limited to five-star hotels, traditional Chinese restaurants, and street-side wonton, pulled
noodle, and tea-egg vendors.

Fast-food restaurants in east China can be defined as Western-style or those specializing
in Chinese food.

—Ag Exporter, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, July 1997

Which title would be most appropriate for the article excerpted above?

A The Diffusion of Cultural Food Practices

B The Convergence of Natural Resources

C The Globalization of Service Industries

D The Growth of Food-Service Monopolies

Page 8


14 Which of these has been a major development in global trade since the 1990s?

A The increased use of protective tariffs by industrialized countries

B An increased reliance on surface transportation

C The outsourcing of service-sector jobs to developing countries

D The growth of cottage industries and traditional methods of production

15

• Railroads
• Highways
• Airplanes

These modes of transportation have affected where economic activities are conducted throughout
the world by —

A requiring more population centers to develop near natural resources

B enabling productive regions to be less dependent on long-distance trade

C making access to water routes near settlements less necessary

D encouraging private businesses to invest more in the development of public infrastructure

16 One argument in favor of using genetically modified crops is that doing so —

A protects biological diversity on cultivated land

B reduces the use of pesticides on crops

C allows for the cultivation of native food sources

D guarantees high yields of cash crops

Page 9


17

Costa Rica ranks among the greenest countries on earth. It
promotes eco-tourism, operates vast national parks, and is
working to become the first carbon-neutral country.

Perhaps most impressive, the nation produces more than 80
percent of its electricity in hydroelectric plants. . . .

—Jon Hamilton, National Public Radio, February 11, 2008

Which of the following would have the greatest impact on Costa Rica’s ability to produce
electricity?

A A lack of business incentives for developing green technology

B The inability to collect fines for excessive use of utilities

C A change in climate resulting in less rainfall

D The inadequate enforcement of laws protecting conservation areas

Page 10

Answer Key



1 1 Readiness G.1(A) G.21(C) D

2 1 Readiness G.2(A) A

3 1 Supporting G.14(B) G.21(A) D

4 1 Readiness G.14(C) D

5 1 Supporting G.15(A) G.21(A) D

6 2 Readiness G.3(B) G.21(A) B

7 2 Supporting G.3(C) C

8 2 Readiness G.5(A) A

9 2 Supporting G.7(A) G.21(A) C

10 2 Readiness G.7(B) G.21(A) C

11 3 Readiness G.17(A) G.21(A) D

12 3 Supporting G.17(B) D

13 3 Supporting G.18(D) G.21(A) A

14 4 Supporting G.10(D) C

15 4 Readiness G.11(C) G.21(A) C

16 4 Readiness G.19(C) B

17 4 Supporting G.20(B) G.21(A) C



Page 11

STAAR
TM

State of Texas
Assessments of
Academic Readiness

World History




STAAR World History 2011 Release

1

Roman society . . . involved a system of patronage. Members of the upper
classes—the patroni—offered protection to freedmen or plebeians, who became
their “cliens.” Patronage might consist of money, food, or legal help.
Traditionally, any freed slaves became the cliens of their former owner.

In return, patroni received respect and political favors. During the empire,
cliens were required to offer daily greetings to their patroni, and the number of
these greeters helped determine social status.

—“Social Order,” The Roman Empire, PBS, www.pbs.org
(accessed February 25, 2010)

The system of patronage described in the excerpt is most similar to the —

A relationship between a guild master and his apprentice

B relationship between a noble and a wealthy merchant during the Enlightenment

C obligations of a monk to his abbot and to the pope

D alliance between a lord and his vassal in the Middle Ages

2 In the 1500s, European merchants arriving in China were restricted to the ports of Macao and
Canton and were required to pay in either gold or silver. What was one likely reason these policies
were enacted?

A Ming emperors needed precious metals to pay for the expansion of their navy.

B European monarchs feared for the safety of merchants traveling into the interior of China.

C Chinese farmers would suffer if cash crops from the Americas were allowed to enter the

country.

D European manufacturers were unable to produce goods that were valued in China.

Page 2


3

?
The trade in ____________ across the Sahara was probably next in importance to the

gold trade for the western Sudan, but not for the central Sudan. There, because there was

?
no gold, ____________ were the mainstay of the export commerce.

—William D. Phillips, 1985

This excerpt is from a description of Islamic trade from the seventh century to the fifteenth
century. Which word correctly completes this excerpt?

A camels

B dates

C weapons

D slaves

4

Event Outcomes

1 Ended the war with colonists and caused vast amounts of territory to be lost
2 Ended an autocracy and led to a civil war
3 Did away with the old social structure and implemented a caste system
4 Established a constitutional republic and privatized industry

Which event represents the Russian Revolution?

A 1

B 2

C 3

D 4

Page 3


5 American and French revolutionaries both rejected the rule of a monarch and attempted to
establish governments founded on the Enlightenment principles of liberty and equality. In the
United States, this resulted in a representative democracy based on the Constitution and the Bill
of Rights.

In 1799, how did the outcome in France differ from the outcome in the United States?

A French supporters of absolutism installed a new king who ruled by divine right.

B Unstable leadership in France allowed a military dictator to seize power.

C A weak central authority in France allowed provinces to form independent republics.

D French Jacobins formed a republican government in which the heads of state had only
limited powers.

6

Independent Arab and Jewish States and the Special
International Regime for the City of Jerusalem . . . shall
come into existence . . . not later than 1 October 1948.

—United Nations Resolution 181, 1947

Which of the following occurred in reaction to the resolution excerpted above?

A Egypt declared war on Israel.

B Lebanon became an independent nation.

C Syria suffered a series of military coups.

D Israel formed an alliance with Jordan.

Page 4


7 Which diagram best explains the historical significance of Joan of Arc?

Gained representation in
Led a bloodless
A the Estates-General
peasant uprising
for the working class

Became the first French
Led a rebellion against
B queen to rule in
her husband
her own name

Gained control Led the French to victories
C
of the French army over English forces

Was appointed Negotiated a treaty ending
D
ambassador to England the Hundred Years’ War

8 Which of the following best explains why the Chinese built the Great Wall and
the Grand Canal?

A The Great Wall and the Grand Canal were built to discourage Chinese peasants from
emigrating.

B The Great Wall was built to protect against invasions, while the Grand Canal was meant to
provide an alternative transportation route between the north and the south.

C The Great Wall and the Grand Canal were constructed to restrict the exchange of goods
with foreign merchants.

D The Great Wall was constructed to protect farming villages from seasonal floods, while the
Grand Canal was meant to improve access to coastal cities.

Page 5


9

Leonardo
da Vinci

Prominent Artists
of the Italian
Renaissance

Michelangelo Raphael

The artists shown above led a movement characterized by —

A the abstract depiction of human bodies

B the rejection of religious themes

C the use of single-point perspective

D the illumination of printed manuscripts

Page 6


10

Type of Government Characteristics of Leader Leader

• Inherited authority
• Centralized the

? government
• Believed a ruler
should be a servant
?
of the state

Which combination best completes this table?

A Totalitarianism; Josip Tito

B Parliamentary monarchy; Louis XIV

C Theocracy; Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini

D Enlightened absolutism; Maria Theresa

11

Here is a law which is above the King and which even he must not break.
This reaffirmation of a supreme law and its expression in a general charter is
the great work of ? ; and this alone justifies the respect in
which men have held it.

—Winston Churchill, A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, 1956

In this excerpt, Winston Churchill describes the continued importance of —

A the Domesday Book

B the Act of Supremacy

C the Magna Carta

D The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Page 7


12 Which headline best demonstrates an expansion of democracy?

D aily Times D a ily Time s

South Africa Holds Prime Minister Brown
Takes Office
Post-Apartheid Elections
A C in Great Britain

D aily Times Daily Times

Venezuelan President U.S. Presidential
Hugo Chávez Candidates Participate
B Reelected for Third Term D in Public Debate

Page 8


13

In the Andes, potatoes served as a staple as people came up with a unique
way of food preservation: potatoes were processed into chuñu, a dehydrated
foodstuff produced by trampling potatoes and alternately freezing and drying
them. This product was storable for years.

—Manfred Weissenbacher, Sources of Power:
How Energy Forges Human History, 2009

The process described above contributed most directly to —

A the development of new tracking and hunting techniques

B an increase in the size and number of permanent settlements

C improved fertility of the soil in mountainous regions

D the creation of a more varied diet through the introduction of new plant species

14 In a letter to a colleague, Isaac Newton wrote, “If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the
shoulders of giants.” Which earlier work made Newton’s scientific contributions possible?

A The research on population growth by Thomas Malthus

B The theory of planetary motion developed by Nicolaus Copernicus

C The use of the microscope to study cells by Robert Hooke

D The process for making stronger steel invented by Henry Bessemer

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15

A system of government therefore which shall prevent ignorance, and
consequently crime, will be infinitely superior to one, which, by encouraging
the first, creates a necessity for the last, and afterwards inflicts punishment on
both. . . .

That government, then, is the best, which in practice produces the greatest
happiness to the greatest number; including those who govern, and those who
obey. . . .

By adopting the proper means, man may by degrees be trained to live in any
part of the world without poverty, without crime, and without punishment; for
all these are the effects of error in the various systems of training and
governing error proceeding from very gross ignorance of human nature.

—Robert Owen, A New View of Society

These arguments most directly contributed to the development of —

A socialism during the Industrial Revolution

B communist economic programs during the Cold War

C totalitarianism during World War II

D liberal social programs during the French Revolution

Page 10

Answer Key



1 1 Readiness W.4(C) W.29(F) D

2 1 Readiness W.7(E) D

3 1 Supporting W.4(I) W.29(F) D

4 2 Readiness W.10(D) W.30(C) B

5 2 Readiness W.9(A) B

6 2 Supporting W.13(F) W.29(F) A

7 3 Supporting W.24(B) W.29(F) C

8 3 Readiness W.16(B) B

9 3 Supporting W.26(A) W.30(C) C

10 4 Readiness W.19(B) W.29(F) D

11 4 Supporting W.20(B) W.29(C) C

12 4 Supporting W.21(A) W.30(C) A

13 5 Readiness W.17(A) W.29(F) B

14 5 Supporting W.27(E) B

15 5 Readiness W.18(C) W.29(C) A



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