SAT II US History : Facts and Details in U.S. Social History from 1899 to the Present

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II US History

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Which of the following writings advocated that the very rich had a moral responsibility to help the poor using their wealth?

Possible Answers:

Gospel of Wealth

Common Sense

Social Darwinism

None of these

On the Theory of Evolution

Correct answer:

Gospel of Wealth

Explanation:

This should have been a relatively simple question. Andrew Carnegie quite famously wrote in The Gospel of Wealth that the very wealthy had a moral duty to help their less fortunate brothers and sisters. Carnegie, of course, fulfilled the obligations that he prescribed for others: Carnegie remains one of the greatest philanthropists in all of American history.

The Gospel of Wealth was published in 1889. 

Example Question #42 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Which of the following completely changed the landscape (literally and figuratively) of the Appalachian region?

Possible Answers:

The Tennessee Valley Authority

LaGuardia Airport

The Coulee Dam

Dane County Airport

Correct answer:

The Tennessee Valley Authority

Explanation:

The TVA, or Tennessee Valley Authority, changed the face of the Appalachian region. First, it literally changed the landscape, as it constructed different dams necessary to build reservoirs for hydroelectric power that completely obliterated various landmarks, homes, and ancestral graveyards when they impounded water and flooded regions. This is the negative effect of the TVA. In addition, the TVA figuratively changed the landscape by bringing power to a region that many social scientists have compared to a third world country. This is the positive effect of the TVA.

Example Question #43 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Why were the “fireside chats” important?

Possible Answers:

They were the first time that a president had spoken “directly” to the populace.

All of these answers are correct.

They encouraged and comforted the American people.

They showed the public that the President was attempting to address the various problems of the Great Depression.

Correct answer:

All of these answers are correct.

Explanation:

All of these answers are correct. The so-called “fireside chats” were the first time that a president had ever reached out “directly” (via the radio) to the American people. Generally speaking, Americans heard from their President only relatively rarely, or during election season. By reaching out, FDR attempted to assuage America’s fears, and keep the populace updated on what he was doing and why.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors