GED Social Studies : GED Social Studies

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Social Studies

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Political Cartoons

Kingandrew-page-001

Based on this political cartoon it is likely that _________________.

Possible Answers:

Andrew Jackson was born in Britain

Andrew Jackson supported the British war effort in the War of 1812

Andrew Jackson was friends with the British King at the time

Andrew Jackson was not afraid to use the Presidential veto

Andrew Jackson did not enjoy much popular support

Correct answer:

Andrew Jackson was not afraid to use the Presidential veto

Explanation:

Just because Andrew Jackson is dressed as the King of England does not mean there is any evidence to suggest he was born in Britain, supported the British war effort, or was friends with the British King. Nor does it directly suggest that Andrew Jackson did not enjoy much popular support; however, in his hand Jackson is holding a piece of paper that says “veto,” which suggests he was not afraid to use the Presidential veto when given the opportunity.

Example Question #2 : Political Cartoons

Kingandrew-page-001

This political cartoon is primarily suggesting that _________________.

Possible Answers:

Andrew Jackson will not win in the coming Presidential election

Andrew Jackson is acting as an authoritarian ruler rather than a President

Andrew Jackson does not enjoy the popular support of the electorate

Andrew Jackson is harming American interests by fostering close ties with Britain

Andrew Jackson is leading the United States into a war it cannot win

Correct answer:

Andrew Jackson is acting as an authoritarian ruler rather than a President

Explanation:

In the cartoon Jackson is dressed as a King, an authoritarian ruler, and standing on a ripped-up copy of the United States’ Constitution. The author of this cartoon is clearly suggesting that Jackson should not be considered a truly democratic leader, but as something approaching a totalitarian ruler.

Example Question #6 : Political Cartoons

Biggame-page-001

The cartoon centers around Theodore Roosevelt’s reputation as a(n) _________________.

Possible Answers:

environmentalist

war hero

trustbuster

imperialist

political figurehead

Correct answer:

trustbuster

Explanation:

President Theodore Roosevelt’s domestic policies were in part defined by his opposition to large corporations, called “trusts.” His presidency was also defined by his imperialist and environmentalist (at least by the standards of the day) policies; but, in this cartoon Roosevelt is pictured as a hunter going after the standard oil trust, the beef trust, and the hard-coal trust. So, it seems logical to answer that the cartoon centers around his reputation as a “trustbuster.”

Example Question #7 : Political Cartoons

Kingandrew-page-001

The principle tone of this cartoon is _________________.

Possible Answers:

urging support

affectionate

mocking irony

demonstrating support

demanding change

Correct answer:

mocking irony

Explanation:

In this cartoon Andrew Jackson, one-time President of the United States, is shown dressed as a King and standing atop ripped-up copies of the United States’ Constitution and the Internal Improvements Bill. The headline reads “Born to command.” The tone is therefore meant to be mocking and ironic. The author is suggesting that Jackson believes he is born to command and thinks of himself as a ruler closer to a King than a President.

Example Question #8 : Political Cartoons

Childlabor-page-001

The primary message of this cartoon is that __________.

Possible Answers:

child labor is the primary reason why the East of the United States is much wealthier than the rest of the country

the use of child labor is a stain on American society and an affront to American values

child labor laws are too strict in the United States

child labor laws are too lenient in the United States

the use of child labor is concentrated in the Eastern manufacturing centers of the country

Correct answer:

the use of child labor is a stain on American society and an affront to American values

Explanation:

The primary meaning behind this cartoon is that the use of child labor represents an affront to American society and to American values. The cartoon depicts a map of the United States with a big "blot" or "stain" on the map represented by child labor. The man is most likely meant to be Uncle Sam, looking disdainfully at the use of child labor.

Example Question #1 : Elections And Politics

On a traditional political spectrum, which of these groups would appear furthest to the left?

Possible Answers:

Conservatives

Reactionaries

Moderates

Liberals

Radicals

Correct answer:

Radicals

Explanation:

The traditional political spectrum (from left to right) goes like this: Radical; Liberal; Moderate; Conservative; Reactionary. So the furthest to the left would be a radical. A radical would support complete, dramatic, and immediate overhaul of existing social or political norms. Radicals might resort to violence in order to achieve their goals.

Example Question #2 : Elections And Politics

In the contemporary American political landscape, the number of independent voters is __________.

Possible Answers:

falling rapidly

falling steadily

climbing rapidly

climbing steadily

fairly consistent

Correct answer:

climbing steadily

Explanation:

For many Americans, party loyalty is the least pronounced it has ever been. Recent elections have seen a greater and greater number of voters who would declare themselves independent. This mirrors another contemporary trend in the American political landscape: more and more Americans are voting based on the candidate and his orher policies rather than simply voting along party lines; however, it is worth nothing that the majority of voters still vote very consistently for the same party.

Example Question #3 : Civics And Government

Which of these political parties has never existed in United States history?

Possible Answers:

Whigs

Federalists

Democratic-Republicans

Liberal-Democrats

Progressive

Correct answer:

Liberal-Democrats

Explanation:

Of these answer choices, only the Liberal-Democrats (a British political party) have never existed in United States political history.

Example Question #3 : Elections And Politics

Which American political party passed the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Possible Answers:

Whigs

Republicans

Democratic-Republicans

Democrats

Federalists

Correct answer:

Federalists

Explanation:

The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed by the Federalists in 1798 during the presidency of John Adams. The stated reason for passing the Alien and Sedition Acts was to provide greater security for the young nation in the wake of rising tensions with the French. The Alien Act made immigration more difficult for people from certain nations, and the Sedition Act made it illegal to speak out against the government or to incite rebellion against the government. The Acts were heavily criticized by Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans.

Example Question #4 : Elections And Politics

On the traditional political spectrum, which of these groups would appear furthest to the right?

Possible Answers:

Liberals

Reactionaries

Radicals

Moderates

Conservatives

Correct answer:

Reactionaries

Explanation:

The traditional political spectrum (from left to right) goes like this:

Radical - Liberal - Moderate - Conservative - Reactionary

So, the furthest to the right would be a reactionary. Someone who holds reactionary ideas passionately (and sometimes violently) opposes some kind of political or social change. Reactionaries may even want to return to a previous social or political order.

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