8th Grade Social Studies Pre Test

1.

1 point

To raise revenue, the United States government has decided to impose a new tariff on coffee imported from Brazil. What is a possible consequence involved in this economic decision?

coffee farms increase damage to the rain forest in Brazil

The price of coffee increases in the United States

the popularity of coffee increases in the United States

coffee farms increase the standard of living in Brazil

2.

1 point

Which part of a research paper provides an organized list of the sources used?

title page

intro

bibliography

table of contents

3.

1 point

European nations set up colonies in the Americas to enrich their economies. Which economic benefit did England receive from its North American colonies?

markets and goods to support trade

laborers to keep its factories running

entrepreneurs to lead its thriving businesses

inventors to keep its industries competitive

4.

1 point

Before the American Civil War, Congress passed laws that were intended to solve problems caused by the expansion of slavery. What happened as a result of the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

slave rebellion in the border states

extension of the missouri compromise

violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers

announcement of the emancipation proclamation

5.

1 point

A person at a city political meeting is holding up a sign that reads "Fair Taxes : Vote for Davis." What type of government does this city have?

absolute monarchy

direct democracy

representative democracy

dictatorship

6.

1 point

Which of the following crops was primarily responsible for the financial success of Virginia in the 17th century?

wheat

cotton

tobacco

corn

7.

1 point

The environment influences the way people live and work. Which is one way that Incan farmers living in mountainous regions were affected by their environment?

they terraced their fields

they created paddy fields

they used horses for plowing

they invented the slash-and-burn technique

8.

1 point

How did the arrival of Europeans change American Indians' agricultural practices?

american indians learned how to herd buffalo without using horses

american indian tribes developed trade in foods among themselves

american indians began to raise new crops and animals, such as rice and chickens

american indians begain raising corn wen europeans brought it over from England

9.

1 point

An increase in gasoline tax would benefit which private sector industry?

shipping

home heating

electric automobile

trucking

10.

1 point

Miguel must write a paper on the American Revolution. He must use one primary source and one secondary source. Which sources should he choose?

the journal of a Revolutionary War leader and an eye witness account of a battle

a colonial patriot's speech and the autobiography of a lawyer who lived during the war

articles on the revolutionary war from an encyclopedia and a US history textbook

Letters of a revolutionary war patriot and a biography of a revolutionary war leader

11.

1 point

Manufacturing was first developed in which economic region of the United States?

midwest

northeast

southeast

northwest

12.

1 point

The term "secession" refers to which action taken by Southern states before the Civil War?

leaving the union

voting to be slave or free

eliminating the Constitution

compromising about slavery

13.

1 point

What provision in the Bill of Rights protects people accused of a crime?

checks and balances

separation of powers

due process

federalism

14.

1 point

Which of the following was NOT a challenge faced by the original settlers in the Jamestown Colony.

hostile native americans

unfair taxation

mosquitos carrying disease

swampy land

15.

1 point

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress passed the NW Ordinance. What did the legislation provide?

a plan for slavery in new settlements

a plan for voting rights for all men in new states

a plan for the exploration of washington and oregon

a plan for the orderly settlement of new territory

16.

1 point

Which right found in the Magna Carta is also included in the US Constitution?

right to vote

freedom of the press

right to a trial by jury

freedom of assembly

17.

1 point

During the 19th century, why were the largest cities in the United States all located beside rivers, lakes, or oceans?

people used these bodies of water for sanitation

these bodies of water supported transportation and commerce

these bodies of water created mild, humid climates

large cities needed huge supplies of fresh drinking water

18.

1 point

What is one benefit of international trade?

governments can ensure that unemployment stays low

workers can remain in the same job throughout their working lives

nations can specialize in goods and services that they produce most efficiently

businesses can focus on providing limited products to customers

19.

1 point

Which phrase describes all four of these factors? (war, trade, writing systems, transportation systems)

factors that weaker democracy

factors that discourage entrepreneurship

factors that help lesson poverty and unemployment

factors that spread goods and ideas from place to place

20.

1 point

In the 19th century, why did large numbers of Americans who migrated to the Great Plains become involved in economic activities relation to agriculture?

The land was generally flat and had fertile soil

there was no suitable means of transportation for other forms of commerce

the american indians who lived there had already cleared the land

the region lacked resources to support manufacturing activities

21.

1 point

Which phrase is directly associated with the American colonists' reaction to the Stamp Act?

live free or die

all mean are created equal

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

no taxation without representation

22.

1 point

The articles of confederation allowed each state to determine the tax on goods imported from other nations. The national government had no power to raise or lower taxes. How did this situation affect the early economy of the United States?

state residents were overtaxed by the national government

state governments refused to print their own paper money

entrepreneurs to lead its thriving businesses

inventors to keep its industries competitive

23.

1 point

The northwest ordinance was passed by the United States in 1787. What did the Northwest Ordinance make possible?

the creation of several new states

the establishment of public hospitals

the discovery of gold in the Yukon Territory

the purchase of oregon and washington territories

24.

1 point

Which of the following best describes the concept of imperialism?

The policy of gaining political and economic control over other nations with their consent

The policy of gaining political and economic control over other nations against their will

The policy of gaining ONLY economic control over other nations against their will

The policy of colonizing other nations in order to benefit the economy

25.

1 point

In 1620, the Mayflower Compact created a basis for written laws in the New England Colony of Plymouth. Why did the Pilgrims create the Mayflower Compact?

to declare independence from England

to guarantee universal religious tolerance in the colony

to establish an orderly community

to ensure peace with American Indians

26.

1 point

Merchants from the Ancient West African kingdom of Ghana prospered by controlling the trade of which goods?

gold and salt

dates and wine

grain and camels

timber and olive oil

27.

1 point

Which historical region of the United States contained the present-day states of Ohio and Indiana?

New Spain

Oregon Country

Louisiana Territory

Northwest Territory

28.

1 point

Which phrase characterizes the development of the Renaissance in Europe?

the exchange of important agricultural techniques

the rebirth of interest in classical art, architecture, and literature

the desire to modernize the styles of paintings and sculptures

the announcement of corruption in the medieval church

29.

1 point

The Quakers emigrated from England to the American colonies in the late 1600s. The Quakers' experiences in England led them to adopt which policy in their new colony of Pennsylvania?

discouraging industrialization

tolerating different religions

prohibiting Catholics from owning property

allowing women to vote in elections