Free GED Social Studies Exam

2.

A coral reef is an example of which type of ecosystem?

Tundra
Marine
Swamp
Rainforest

Correct Answer

A. Marine

Explanation

B. A coral reef is an ecosystem of plants and animals living in shallow tropical waters. Water ecosystems are also called marine ecosystems. See Lesson: Global Connections: Cultures & Society.

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3.

Why did the Framers create the Bill of Rights?

To give more power to the federal government
To strengthen protections of citizens’ individual rights
To fix mistakes the Founders made in the Constitution
To appease the Federalists who insisted on the amendments

Correct Answer

A. To strengthen protections of citizens’ individual rights

Explanation

B.The Founders wrote the 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights because several states argued that the U.S. Constitution should include stronger protection for citizens’ individual rights. See Lesson: Individual Rights and Civic Responsibilities.

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4.

The Founders wanted to create “a government of ______, not men.”

Law
Work
Paper
States

Correct Answer

A. Law

Explanation

A. John Adams said that America would “be a government of laws, not men.” In other words, all people are subject to the laws written in the Constitution, not the decisions of government officials. See Lesson: Principles of American Constitutional Democracy.

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5.

What is the purpose of a primary election?

To allow all citizens to register
To ensure all voting machines work
To elect the president of the country
To choose candidate to run for a party

Correct Answer

A. To choose candidate to run for a party

Explanation

D. Leading up to an election, parties hold a primary election to determine who will run for their party in the general election. See Lesson: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections in American Politics.

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6.

The following question is based on the passage below. The passage is an excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, his proposal for the peace system after World War I. “Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants. … A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. … A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.” Question: What is the general association of nations to which Wilson refers?

The United Nations
The European Union
The League of Nations
The Congress of Europe

Correct Answer

A. The United Nations

Explanation

A. The League of Nations was the result of Wilson’s desire for a supranational body. See Lesson: Becoming a World Power.

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7.

How is a representative democracy different from a direct democracy?

In a direct democracy, there is a president; in a representative democracy, there is not.
In a representative democracy, there is a constitution; in a direct democracy, there is not.
In a direct democracy, citizens can change their vote; in a representative democracy, a vote cannot be changed.
In a representative democracy, citizens elect people to vote for them; in a direct democracy, every person votes.

Correct Answer

A. In a representative democracy, citizens elect people to vote for them; in a direct democracy, every person votes.

Explanation

D. A representative democracy is a type of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions about laws. See Lesson: Types of Governments.

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8.

Which BEST defines individual rights?

Rights given to government officials
Freedoms granted to every human being
Rights given to people who apply and qualify for them
Freedoms granted when a citizen becomes 18 years of age

Correct Answer

A. Freedoms granted to every human being

Explanation

B. Individual rights are the freedoms granted to every individual. See Lesson: Individual Rights and Civic Responsibilities.

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9.

In product markets, who are the buyers?

Firms
Households
Governments
Banks and credit unions

Correct Answer

A. Households

Explanation

B. In product markets, households demand and buy goods and services. Firms supply and sell goods and services. See Lesson: Microeconomics.

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10.

The following question is based on the passage below. The passage is an excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, his proposal for the peace system after World War I. “Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants. … A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. … A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.” Question: Which of the following BEST explains what the effect of Wilson calling for an “impartial adjustment of all colonial claims” might have been?

Africa and Asia ignored this statement.
Colonies began to petition for independence.
Countries gave up most of their colonies peacefully.
European nations engaged in a scramble for new colonies

Correct Answer

A. Colonies began to petition for independence.

Explanation

B. Colonized countries began to agitate for independence in the wake of Wilson’s announcement. See Lesson: Becoming a World Power.

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11.

A community of organisms connected to their environment is a(n) ______.

Location
Ecosystem
Natural habitat
Biodiverse location

Correct Answer

A. Ecosystem

Explanation

B. An ecosystem is a community of organisms connected to their environment. See Lesson: Global Connections: Cultures & Society.

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12.

Who holds the most power in a democracy?

Citizens
Police officers
Government officials
Representatives of the president

Correct Answer

A. Citizens

Explanation

A. In a democracy, citizens—the people being governed—hold the ultimate power. See Lesson: Types of Governments.

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13.

Which of the following would be found in a freshwater ecosystem?

Forest
Coral reef
Lake Ontario
Pacific Ocean

Correct Answer

A. Lake Ontario

Explanation

C. A freshwater ecosystem has running streams and fresh water. Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, is part of a freshwater ecosystem. See Lesson: Global Connections: Cultures & Society.

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14.

A tundra is a cold, windy, treeless region. Which of the following states or countries has tundra?

Laos
Russia
Hawaii
Argentina

Correct Answer

A. Russia

Explanation

B. Russia has a tundra region. See Lesson: Global Connections: Cultures & Society.

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15.

The Second Industrial Revolution focused on which sector of the economy?

Steel
Canals
Textiles
Electronics

Correct Answer

A. Steel

Explanation

A. The second industrial revolution was made possible through techniques enabling the cheap mass production of steel. See Lesson: Civil War Times.

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16.

What happens when production costs increase?

More goods are produced.
There is deflation in the economy.
Price of goods produced increases.
Production is stopped, and resources are placed in a different product.

Correct Answer

A. Price of goods produced increases.

Explanation

C. Higher production costs increase prices, which may cause inflation. See Lesson: Macroeconomics.

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17.

When an explorer was successful, what happened to the economy of the country he represented?

It maintained equilibrium between supply and demand.
It became chaotic because of increased unemployment.
It grew stronger because of increased trade opportunities.
It experienced inflation because of the huge expense of financing a ship.

Correct Answer

A. It grew stronger because of increased trade opportunities.

Explanation

C. The capitalist economy of a European country improved with successful exploration. New trading routes and partners willing to be part of the free market in Europe were beneficial. See Lesson: Economics Through History.

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18.

What is the title of the people who elect the president of the United States?

Electors
Congress
Electorate
Governors

Correct Answer

A. Electors

Explanation

A. To become president of the United States, a candidate must earn at least half of the votes cast by the Electoral College, which is made up of electors. See Lesson: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections in American Politics.

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19.

Why did early Egyptian civilization prosper?

The Nile River valley provided rich soils and an abundance of fish.
The Amazon River basin provided the necessary ecosystem for survival.
The Indus River valley provided means of transportation for the Egyptians.
The Yangtze River established boundaries between Egypt and North Africa.

Correct Answer

A. The Nile River valley provided rich soils and an abundance of fish.

Explanation

A. The Nile River flows through Egypt. See Lesson: World Geography: Human/Environment Interaction.

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20.

Which BEST defines the job of the Speaker of the House?

Speaks for the Senate
Represents everyone in Congress
Advises the president on legal decisions
Presides over the House of Representatives

Correct Answer

A. Presides over the House of Representatives

Explanation

D. The Speaker of the House serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. See Lesson: The Structure of the United States Government.

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21.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance, signed in 1787. “So soon as there shall be five thousand free male inhabitants of full age in the district, upon giving proof thereof to the governor, they shall receive authority, with time and place, to elect a representative from their counties or townships to represent them in the general assembly: Provided, That, for every five hundred free male inhabitants, there shall be one representative...Provided, That no person be eligible or qualified to act as a representative unless he shall have been a citizen of one of the United States three years, and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three years; and, in either case, shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee simple, two hundred acres of land within the same; … And, for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions are erected; to fix and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said territory: to provide also for the establishment of States, and permanent government therein, and for their admission to a share in the federal councils on an equal footing with the original States, at as early periods as may be consistent with the general interest: … Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged…” Question: What kind of improvement or infrastructure does the document endorse?

Forts
Roads
Schools
Governments

Correct Answer

A. Schools

Explanation

C. The ordinance encouraged states to build schools. See Lesson: The American Revolution and the Growth of a Nation.

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22.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt of a document discussing Europe in 1948. In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines, and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that this visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy. For the past 10 years conditions have been highly abnormal. The feverish maintenance of the war effort engulfed all aspects of national economics. Machinery has fallen into disrepair or is entirely obsolete. Under the arbitrary and destructive Nazi rule, virtually every possible enterprise was geared into the German war machine. … The truth of the matter is that Europe’s requirements for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products—principally from America—are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character. … Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. … Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties, or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposition of the United States. Question: Based on this passage, what was the state of Europe in 1948?

Europe’s economy was strong after the war.
Europe was beginning to recover from the war.
Europe was well on the way to recovering from the war.
Europe’s economy remained badly damaged by the war.

Correct Answer

A. Europe’s economy remained badly damaged by the war.

Explanation

D. The European economy had been heavily disordered by the effects of the war. See Lesson: The Twentieth Century and Beyond.

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23.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance, signed in 1787. “So soon as there shall be five thousand free male inhabitants of full age in the district, upon giving proof thereof to the governor, they shall receive authority, with time and place, to elect a representative from their counties or townships to represent them in the general assembly: Provided, That, for every five hundred free male inhabitants, there shall be one representative...Provided, That no person be eligible or qualified to act as a representative unless he shall have been a citizen of one of the United States three years, and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three years; and, in either case, shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee simple, two hundred acres of land within the same; … And, for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions are erected; to fix and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said territory: to provide also for the establishment of States, and permanent government therein, and for their admission to a share in the federal councils on an equal footing with the original States, at as early periods as may be consistent with the general interest: … Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged…” Question: According to the excerpt, what was the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance?

Stopping further westward expansion
Purchasing land from Native Americans
Setting up governments in new territories
Establishing when the United States would acquire land

Correct Answer

A. Setting up governments in new territories

Explanation

C. The purpose of the Northwest Ordinance was to clarify how new territories should be settled and governed. See Lesson: The American Revolution and the Growth of a Nation.

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24.

The following question is based on the passage below. This is an excerpt from the Emancipation Proclamation. “That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free… “That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.” … And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. … And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.” Question: What is the MOST LIKELY reason why Lincoln only applied the Emancipation Proclamation to the Confederacy?

Lincoln didn’t want to alienate loyal states.
Lincoln didn’t want to offend other countries.
Lincoln didn’t want to completely end slavery.
Enslaved people in loyal states were needed for the war effort.

Correct Answer

A. Lincoln didn’t want to alienate loyal states.

Explanation

A. Several slaveholding states had remained in the Union, and Lincoln wanted these states to remain loyal. See Lesson: Civil War Times.

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25.

Which BEST defines a town hall meeting?

Citizens meeting to discuss non-political topics
Interest groups spreading their message to the public
Political party members meeting to discuss a campaign
Politicians speaking directly with voters about current issues

Correct Answer

A. Politicians speaking directly with voters about current issues

Explanation

D. At town hall meetings, politicians speak directly to voters about how they will govern. See Lesson: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections in American Politics.

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26.

What makes the circular flow in a circular flow model function?

Money
Exchanges
Consumers
Government

Correct Answer

A. Money

Explanation

A. Money is the medium of exchange in a market economy. See Lesson: Microeconomics.

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27.

The following question is based on the passage below. The following is an excerpt of Christopher Columbus’s journal from 1492. In it, he describes the indigenous people he encountered on his first voyage. In fine, they took all, and gave what they had with good will. It appeared to me to be a race of people very poor in everything. They go as naked as when their mothers bore them, and so do the women, although I did not see more than one young girl...They neither carry nor know anything of arms, for I showed them swords, and they took them by the blade and cut themselves through ignorance. They have no iron, their darts being wands without iron, some of them having a fish’s tooth at the end, and others being pointed in various ways. They are all of fair stature and size, with good laces, and well made...They should be good servants and intelligent, for I observed that they quickly took in what was said to them, and I believe that they would easily be made Christians, as it appeared to me that they had no religion, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses that they may learn to speak...The Admiral showed the Indians some specimens of cinnamon and pepper he had brought from Castillo, and they knew it, and said, by signs, that there was plenty in the vicinity, pointing to the S.E. He also showed them gold and pearls, on which certain old men said that there an infinite quantity in a place called Holito and that the people wore it on their necks, ears, arms, and legs, as well as pearls. Question: Why was Columbus interested in finding cinnamon and pepper?

He had given up on finding gold or silver.
He knew the Native Americans wanted them.
They were valuable and would sell well in Europe.
His men needed them for sustenance after the voyage.

Correct Answer

A. He knew the Native Americans wanted them.

Explanation

B. Spain sponsored Columbus’s voyages in the hopes of finding supplies of spices. See Lesson: The Earliest Americans and the Age of Exploration.

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28.

Why did Mark Twain describe the period following the Civil War as the Gilded Age?

He felt the wealth of the era was unseemly.
He believed that industrialization was a bad thing.
He believed that it was the wealthiest time in history.
He thought that the wealth of the time covered up ugly facts.

Correct Answer

A. He thought that the wealth of the time covered up ugly facts.

Explanation

D. Twain believed that the Gilded Age was superficially positive but covered up ugly realities. See Lesson: Civil War Times.

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29.

Using natural resources today while preserving them for future generations is an example of ______.

Recycling
Conservation
Sustainability
Going “green”

Correct Answer

A. Sustainability

Explanation

C. Sustainability is making good use of resources to meet current needs while protecting future needs. See Lesson: World Geography: Human/Environment Interaction.

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30.

The following question is based on the passage below. The following is an excerpt of Christopher Columbus’s journal from 1492. In it, he describes the indigenous people he encountered on his first voyage. In fine, they took all, and gave what they had with good will. It appeared to me to be a race of people very poor in everything. They go as naked as when their mothers bore them, and so do the women, although I did not see more than one young girl...They neither carry nor know anything of arms, for I showed them swords, and they took them by the blade and cut themselves through ignorance. They have no iron, their darts being wands without iron, some of them having a fish’s tooth at the end, and others being pointed in various ways. They are all of fair stature and size, with good laces, and well made...They should be good servants and intelligent, for I observed that they quickly took in what was said to them, and I believe that they would easily be made Christians, as it appeared to me that they had no religion, our Lord being pleased, will take hence, at the time of my departure, six natives for your Highnesses that they may learn to speak...The Admiral showed the Indians some specimens of cinnamon and pepper he had brought from Castillo, and they knew it, and said, by signs, that there was plenty in the vicinity, pointing to the S.E. He also showed them gold and pearls, on which certain old men said that there an infinite quantity in a place called Holito and that the people wore it on their necks, ears, arms, and legs, as well as pearls. Question: Why did Columbus suggest that the Native Americans would make good Christians?

To show that they would be efficient workers
To encourage the Spanish to claim the islands
To make sure the Spanish did not attack them
To try to keep other European powers out of the islands

Correct Answer

A. To encourage the Spanish to claim the islands

Explanation

B. Columbus was offering reasons for the Spanish monarchy to claim the islands. See Lesson: The Earliest Americans and the Age of Exploration.

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31.

What drives economic progress?

Trade barriers
Central planning
Entrepreneurial action
Government investment

Correct Answer

A. Entrepreneurial action

Explanation

C. Market economies are more effective than centralized economies. Resources are allocated through the decentralized decisions of many companies and individuals (entrepreneurs). See Lesson: The Fundamentals of Economics.

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32.

A company designs a smartphone with an extra-small screen. What should it do if the smartphone fails to sell?

Correct the problem that caused the failure
Look for new markets and new ways to trade
Direct resources away from extra-small screen production
Determine the cost of production to find a more appealing price

Correct Answer

A. Direct resources away from extra-small screen production

Explanation

C. If consumers don’t buy a product, there is no market for it. As a result, the company should move resources to a different product. See Lesson: The Fundamentals of Economics.

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33.

Why is it profitable for discount stores to sell elastic goods at a low price?

They sell more.
Consumers want the best deals.
Supply and demand reach equilibrium.
Production increases, so store supply increases.

Correct Answer

A. They sell more.

Explanation

A. With elastic goods, if the price decreases, quantity demanded increases a lot. Therefore, dropping the price can bring stores much more business. See Lesson: Microeconomics.

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34.

Which of the following is the BEST example of an enumerated power?

A responsibility assigned to the legislative branch
A leader who has been elected to office by citizens
A country that has become less powerful over time
A government whose power is limited by a constitution

Correct Answer

A. A responsibility assigned to the legislative branch

Explanation

A.The powers of Congress are outlined in the Constitution. Each power is explicitly explained. They are collectively known as the enumerated powers. See Lesson: The Structure of the United States Government.

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35.

Real GDP controls for changes in ______.

Price
Population
Goods and services
Consumer preferences

Correct Answer

A. Price

Explanation

A. Real GDP is the best measure of economic growth. It adjusts for inflation. See Lesson: Macroeconomics.

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36.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt of a document discussing Europe in 1948. In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines, and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that this visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy. For the past 10 years conditions have been highly abnormal. The feverish maintenance of the war effort engulfed all aspects of national economics. Machinery has fallen into disrepair or is entirely obsolete. Under the arbitrary and destructive Nazi rule, virtually every possible enterprise was geared into the German war machine. … The truth of the matter is that Europe’s requirements for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products—principally from America—are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character. … Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. … Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties, or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposition of the United States. Question: When the document refers to “possibilities of disturbance,” which of the following BEST explains what the authors are alluding to?

Creating a European Union
A return to Nazism in Germany
Embracing Japan as a world power
The possible rise of communism in Western Europe

Correct Answer

A. The possible rise of communism in Western Europe

Explanation

D. The authors are concerned by the possibility that communism might be more appealing if the economy does not improve. See Lesson: The Twentieth Century and Beyond.

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37.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance, signed in 1787. “So soon as there shall be five thousand free male inhabitants of full age in the district, upon giving proof thereof to the governor, they shall receive authority, with time and place, to elect a representative from their counties or townships to represent them in the general assembly: Provided, That, for every five hundred free male inhabitants, there shall be one representative...Provided, That no person be eligible or qualified to act as a representative unless he shall have been a citizen of one of the United States three years, and be a resident in the district, or unless he shall have resided in the district three years; and, in either case, shall likewise hold in his own right, in fee simple, two hundred acres of land within the same; … And, for extending the fundamental principles of civil and religious liberty, which form the basis whereon these republics, their laws and constitutions are erected; to fix and establish those principles as the basis of all laws, constitutions, and governments, which forever hereafter shall be formed in the said territory: to provide also for the establishment of States, and permanent government therein, and for their admission to a share in the federal councils on an equal footing with the original States, at as early periods as may be consistent with the general interest: … Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged…” Question: What is the purpose of the second paragraph?

To eliminate slavery in the new territories
To establish standards for new state legislatures
To allow states to develop their own constitutions
To ensure that states followed the federal Constitution

Correct Answer

A. To ensure that states followed the federal Constitution

Explanation

D. The purpose is to ensure that territories would follow the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution. See Lesson: The American Revolution and the Growth of a Nation.

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38.

The following question is based on the passage below. This is an excerpt from the Emancipation Proclamation. “That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free… “That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.” … And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. … And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.” Question: What was the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation?

It banned the domestic slave trade.
It banned slavery in the Confederacy.
It banned slavery in pro-Union slaveholding states.
It committed to abolishing slavery once the war was over.

Correct Answer

A. It banned slavery in the Confederacy.

Explanation

B. The Emancipation Proclamation only banned slavery in states that had seceded. See Lesson: Civil War Times.

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39.

How did the Agricultural Revolution change life in America?

The number of unemployed workers increased.
Urban centers like New York City decreased in size.
A decrease in population led to less demand for goods.
Americans began living in self-sustaining rural communities.

Correct Answer

A. The number of unemployed workers increased.

Explanation

A. Because of advances in technology, fewer workers were needed to work on farms. This left a large number of people in the labor force unemployed. See Lesson: Economics Through History.

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40.

Values that increase or decrease with inflation and deflation are called ______ values.

Real
Cyclical
Nominal
Consumption

Correct Answer

A. Nominal

Explanation

C. Nominal values are monetary values that include changes in price and growth. See Lesson: Macroeconomics.

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41.

Why were the 13 colonies established?

To supply raw materials
As a strategic location during war
As a midway point for further exploration
To act as a trading partner with European countries

Correct Answer

A. To supply raw materials

Explanation

A. The colonies were business ventures. Mercantilism, the economic policy of the time, was designed to make the mother country and its monarch rich. See Lesson: Economics Through History.

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42.

Which BEST defines federalism?

Federal officers training the leaders of state governments
Dividing power between a central government and smaller units
Splitting the power of the federal government into separate branches
Distributing power so that each branch of government monitors the others

Correct Answer

A. Dividing power between a central government and smaller units

Explanation

B. Federalism is the idea that the power of a country should be divided between the central federal government and smaller units, for example, states. See Lesson: Types of Governments.

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43.

The following question is based on the passage below. It is an excerpt of a document discussing Europe in 1948. In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe the physical loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines, and railroads was correctly estimated, but it has become obvious during recent months that this visible destruction was probably less serious than the dislocation of the entire fabric of European economy. For the past 10 years conditions have been highly abnormal. The feverish maintenance of the war effort engulfed all aspects of national economics. Machinery has fallen into disrepair or is entirely obsolete. Under the arbitrary and destructive Nazi rule, virtually every possible enterprise was geared into the German war machine. … The truth of the matter is that Europe’s requirements for the next 3 or 4 years of foreign food and other essential products—principally from America—are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social, and political deterioration of a very grave character. … Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. … Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties, or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposition of the United States. Question: Which of the following policies would the authors of this document have supported?

Détente
The Marshall Plan
The Truman Doctrine
Mutually Assured Destruction

Correct Answer

A. The Marshall Plan

Explanation

B. The Marshall Plan supported these policies. It provided financial support to struggling European governments. See Lesson: The Twentieth Century and Beyond.

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44.

When individuals increase their personal wealth by creating goods and services that they offer for trade, they ______

Increase the wealth of others.
Ensure economic prosperity for trading partners.
Reduce the wealth of others by charging for their product.
Rely on the government to create a strong economic system.

Correct Answer

A. Increase the wealth of others.

Explanation

A. By increasing their personal wealth, individuals increase the wealth of others. Adam Smith reasoned that the best economic benefit for all can usually be accomplished when individuals act in their own self-interest. See Lesson: The Fundamentals of Economics.

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45.

The idea that government officials’ power over citizens should be limited is known as ______.

Federalism
Rule of law
constitutionalism
Popular sovereignty

Correct Answer

A. constitutionalism

Explanation

C. One way the Founders sought to limit government was by structuring the government in a certain way and explaining the structure in a constitution, or document. This method of limited government is called constitutionalism. See Lesson: Principles of American Constitutional Democracy.

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46.

Which of the following is an enumerated power?

Impeaching a president
Declaring a law unconstitutional
Nominating Supreme Court justices
Signing treaties with other countries

Correct Answer

A. Impeaching a president

Explanation

A. Impeaching a president is an enumerated power of Congress. See Lesson: The Structure of the United States Government.

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47.

The following question is based on the passage below. The passage is an excerpt from Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points, his proposal for the peace system after World War I. “Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas, outside territorial waters, alike in peace and in war, except as the seas may be closed in whole or in part by international action for the enforcement of international covenants. … A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon a strict observance of the principle that in determining all such questions of sovereignty the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the equitable claims of the government whose title is to be determined. … A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.” Question: The appeal for free navigation of the seas was intended to resolve which dispute from the prewar period?

The colonization of Africa and Asia
The creation of an alliance system in Europe
The absence of the United States in global politics
The naval arms race between Germany and Great Britain

Correct Answer

A. The naval arms race between Germany and Great Britain

Explanation

D. Allowing for free navigation of the seas was intended to prevent the shipbuilding races that dominated prewar politics. See Lesson: Becoming a World Power.

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48.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a state?

A land with territory
An area with government
A land with political goals
A culturally defined group

Correct Answer

A. An area with government

Explanation

B. Statehood has four elements: territory, population, government, and political goals. An independent country or state has all four elements. See Lesson: World Geography: Human/Environment Interaction.

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49.

If a government has the consent of the governed, it is said to have ______.

Federalism
Natural rights
Constitutionalism
Popular sovereignty

Correct Answer

A. Popular sovereignty

Explanation

D. A major principle of the American government is popular sovereignty, the idea that the government is granted its power by the people being governed (also known as the consent of the governed). See Lesson: Principles of American Constitutional Democracy.

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Free GED Social Studies Exam

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are known as the ______.

Quiz Preview

A coral reef is an example of which type of ecosystem?

Why did the Framers create the Bill of Rights?

The Founders wanted to create “a government of ______, not men.”

What is the purpose of a primary election?

How is a representative democracy different from a direct democracy?

Which BEST defines individual rights?

In product markets, who are the buyers?

A community of organisms connected to their environment is a(n) ______.

Who holds the most power in a democracy?

Which of the following would be found in a freshwater ecosystem?

A tundra is a cold, windy, treeless region. Which of the following states or countries has tundra?

The Second Industrial Revolution focused on which sector of the economy?

What happens when production costs increase?

When an explorer was successful, what happened to the economy of the country he represented?

What is the title of the people who elect the president of the United States?

Why did early Egyptian civilization prosper?

Which BEST defines the job of the Speaker of the House?

Which BEST defines a town hall meeting?

What makes the circular flow in a circular flow model function?

Why did Mark Twain describe the period following the Civil War as the Gilded Age?

Using natural resources today while preserving them for future generations is an example of ______.

What drives economic progress?

A company designs a smartphone with an extra-small screen. What should it do if the smartphone fails to sell?

Why is it profitable for discount stores to sell elastic goods at a low price?

Which of the following is the BEST example of an enumerated power?

Real GDP controls for changes in ______.

How did the Agricultural Revolution change life in America?

Values that increase or decrease with inflation and deflation are called ______ values.

Why were the 13 colonies established?

Which BEST defines federalism?

When individuals increase their personal wealth by creating goods and services that they offer for trade, they ______

The idea that government officials’ power over citizens should be limited is known as ______.

Which of the following is an enumerated power?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a state?

If a government has the consent of the governed, it is said to have ______.