GED Social Studies : Visual Representations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Social Studies

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

1000 Leif Ericson lands in Newfoundland.

1492 Columbus reaches the Caribbean.

1521 Hernán Cortés conquers Mexico for Spain.

1538 French settlement in St. Kitts is destroyed by the Spanish.

1565 Spanish settlement in Florida is founded.

1607 English settlement established at Jamestown.

1608 French settlement established at Quebec.

1620 Plymouth colony established by the English.

1625 Dutch colony established in New Amsterdam.

1769 Spanish colony established at San Diego.

1776 Spanish colony established in San Francisco.

1776 The United States declares independence.

This timeline supports the argument that ______________.

Possible Answers:

the Spanish were dominant in the New World in the first wave of European colonialism

the independence of the United States marked the end of European colonialism in the New World

the Spanish and English fought many conflicts in the New World

the English settlements in the New World were not successful

the Germans never settled colonies in the New World

Correct answer:

the Spanish were dominant in the New World in the first wave of European colonialism

Explanation:

There is no evidence to suggest that the Spanish and English fought many conflicts in the New World, nor is there any evidence to suggest that the English settlements in the New World were not successful. Additionally, just because the timeline does not mention any German colonies, you cannot necessarily conclude that that means the Germans never settled in the New World. Finally, because Spain established a colony in San Francisco at the same time as America was gaining its independence, you cannot conclude that the independence of the United States marked the end of European colonialism in the New World. You can, however, conclude that the Spanish were dominant in the New World during the first wave of European colonialism. They were the first to arrive in the Caribbean; Hernan Cortes conquered Mexico for the Spanish shortly thereafter, and the Spanish destroyed one of the first French settlements in St. Kitts suggesting they were the dominant regional power.

Example Question #12 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

1000 Leif Ericson lands in Newfoundland.

1492 Columbus reaches the Caribbean.

1521 Hernán Cortés conquers Mexico for Spain.

1538 French settlement in St. Kitts is destroyed by the Spanish.

1565 Spanish settlement in Florida is founded.

1607 English settlement established at Jamestown.

1608 French settlement established at Quebec.

1620 Plymouth colony established by the English.

1625 Dutch colony established in New Amsterdam.

1769 Spanish colony established at San Diego.

1776 Spanish colony established in San Francisco.

1776 The United States declares independence.

A document written by a settler in Jamestown is discovered by an archaeologist; it documents the English settlement of the colony and the subsequent hardships of the first winter; in 2015, the document can be no older than ________________.

Possible Answers:

522 years

311 years

408 years

447 years

325 years

Correct answer:

408 years

Explanation:

If the document was indeed written by a settler of Jamestown it must have been written, at the earliest, in 1607. This means it can be no older than 408 years, otherwise it could not possibly describe the events of 1607.

Example Question #13 : Tables, Graphs, And Charts

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

Population of the United States

1800 5,236,631

1840 17,069, 453

1880 49,371,340

1920 106,021,568

1960 179,323,175

2000 281,421,906

data from the U.S. Census Bureau

The biggest percentage increase in population occurs from _______________.

Possible Answers:

1840 to 1880

1960 to 2000

1800 to 1840

1880 to 1920

1920 to 1960

Correct answer:

1800 to 1840

Explanation:

This question asks you to figure out where the biggest percentage increase in population occurs, not the biggest jump in pure population numbers. The correct answer then is from 1800 to 1840. In this time period the population jumps more than 240%. The next highest is from 1840 to 1880, when the population jumps by 190%. Notice how the percentage of the population growth steadily declines even while the growth in pure population numbers continues to rise.

Example Question #13 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this table.

Life Expectancy (in years)

Japan 84.6

Spain 82.5

Norway 81.9

Ireland 81.4

United Kingdom 81

United States 79.8

Mexico 77.2

China 76

Colombia 74.7

Russia 70.5

Iraq 68.5

India 65

Ethiopia 60.5

Nigeria 53

Lesotho 51 

Data provided by the World Health Organization (2012). 

Based on this table, which of these statements is most accurate? 

Possible Answers:

People in Asia have a much higher life expectancy than the rest of the world

The United States has a lower life expectancy than Mexico

Warfare is the number one contributor to a country having a low life expectancy

People in Europe have a much higher life expectancy than the rest of the world

People in Africa have a much lower life expectancy than the rest of the world

Correct answer:

People in Africa have a much lower life expectancy than the rest of the world

Explanation:

All of the lowest figures in this chart are for African countries, so it is reasonable to conclude that people in Africa have a much lower life expectancy than the rest of the world. Because Japan is first, you might have been tempted to answer that people in Asia have a much higher life expectancy, but you are also shown that China and India are much lower in the table. Similarly, although many European nations appear near the top of the table, the fact that they are all surpassed by Japan tells you that Europe cannot be said to have a higher life expectancy than the rest of the world. 

Example Question #14 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

Ninth century  Invention of gunpowder in China.

Tenth century  Invention of fireworks in China.

1119 Invention of the compass in China.

1450 Invention of the mechanical moving-type printing press in Germany.

1876 Invention of the telephone in the United States.

1928 Penicillin discovered by Alexander Fleming.

1945 Completion of the Manhattan Project by the United States, Canada, and Britain.

A printed manuscript is found by a historian in France, it may have been printed no earlier than ________________.

Possible Answers:

1119

1945

1928

The ninth century

1450

Correct answer:

1450

Explanation:

The movable-type printing press, invented in Germany about 1450, allowed books to be copied and printed by machine for the first time in European history. Before that, any book or manuscript had to be written and copied by hand; therefore, a printed manuscript found in France must date from later than 1450.

Example Question #15 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

Population of the United States

1800 5,236,631

1840 17,069, 453

1880 49,371,340

1920 106,021,568

1960 179,323,175

2000 281,421,906

data from the U.S. Census Bureau

When did the United States population climb above 100 million for the first time?

Possible Answers:

In the 1920s

In the 1910s

Between 1920 and 1960

In the 1880s

Between 1880 and 1920

Correct answer:

Between 1880 and 1920

Explanation:

Based on the data represented in the table, it is very probable that the population climbed above 100 million for the first time in the 1910s; however, you cannot reliably state that that is definitely true. All you know for sure is that the population was at 49 million in 1880 and 106 million in 1920 so the population must have climbed above 100 million between 1880 and 1920.

Example Question #16 : Visual Representations

The following question refers to the information contained in this timeline.

55 B.C.E. Julius Caesar successfully invades Britain.

43 C.E. Emperor Claudius makes Britain part of the Roman Empire.

122 C.E. Hadrian’s wall is built.

383 C.E. Roman Empire begins to withdraw from Britain.

449 C.E. The Saxons and Angles arrive in Britain.

730 C.E. The Venerable Bede produces his history of the British Isles.

790 C.E. Vikings begin raiding British coasts.

842 C.E. Vikings raid London.

1016 C.E. Cnut the Great becomes King of England.

1066 C.E. William, Duke of Normandy, invades England and is crowned King.

The information in this timeline supports the argument that __________.

Possible Answers:

the British Isles were subject to numerous waves of conquest and invasion in the first millennium of the common era

the Vikings were unable to establish complete control of the British Isles

the Romans were foolish to try and conquer the British Isles

the Angles and Saxons were bloodthirsty people

the Normans reigned the longest in the British Isles

Correct answer:

the British Isles were subject to numerous waves of conquest and invasion in the first millennium of the common era

Explanation:

The only answer choice that this timeline definitely supports is the argument that the British Isles were subject to numerous waves of conquest and invasion. First the Romans, then the Saxons and Angles, then the Vikings, and then the Normans arrived on British shores in the time period shown. You cannot reasonably state that the Normans reigned the longest as you are not told when their dominion ends. You might be tempted to say that the Romans were foolish to try to conquer the British Isles, given that they had to withdraw their forces eventually, but this is revisionist history, and besides the use of the word "foolish" in a historical context is always dubious. There is no evidence to suggest that the Angles and Saxons were particularly bloodthirsty, nor is there any to suggest that the Vikings were unable to establish complete control of the British Isles.

Example Question #1 : Political Cartoons

Joinordie-page-001

This cartoon is primarily urging __________

Possible Answers:

unity.

fear.

aggression.

disloyalty.

rebellion.

Correct answer:

unity.

Explanation:

The cartoon is titled Join or die and shows a snake divided up into a series of segments. It is one of the oldest and most famous political cartoons in American history and was drawn by Benjamin Franklin to encourage the various colonies of America to join together to ensure their greater collective strength. It is therefore primarily urging unity.

Example Question #2 : Political Cartoons

Joinordie-page-001

The different segments of the snake most likely represent __________

Possible Answers:

countries.

armies of the United States.

the Colonies.

trade agreements.

political leaders.

Correct answer:

the Colonies.

Explanation:

Each of the segments of the snake is labelled. The fact that they are labelled as “NY,” “SC,” “NJ” etc. suggests that they are meant to represent the states; however, this is not an option you are given so you have to consider the fact that the cartoon was created during the colonial era when the states were not yet states, but colonies. The correct answer is therefore that the different segments of the snake represent the colonies.

Example Question #3 : Political Cartoons

Joinordie-page-001

This cartoon was published during the French and Indian War and related to the Albany Plan of Union; based on the cartoon the author would most likely __________ the Albany Plan of Union?

Possible Answers:

lament

encourage rebellion against

encourage support for

criticize

mock and deride

Correct answer:

encourage support for

Explanation:

The Albany Plan of Union was proposed by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress in 1754. It took place during the French and Indian War. The Albany Plan of Union proposed to create a unified government for the thirteen colonies to provide for mutual defense and promotion of interests. Because the cartoon is titled "Join, or Die," and seems to show that a disunified body cannot survive, it is reasonable to suggest that the author of this cartoon would most likely encourage support for the Albany Plan of Union.

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