ELTIS Reading Social Studies Texts Practice Test 11 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent. This belief drove westward expansion, including the Oregon Trail migrations and the California Gold Rush. However, expansion came at a great cost to Native American peoples.' What was Manifest Destiny?
- A religious holiday.
- A belief that the US should expand across North America. (Correct answer)
- A type of government policy.
- A military strategy.
Correct answer: A belief that the US should expand across North America.
The passage defines Manifest Destiny as 'the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent.' This powerful idea justified westward expansion but had devastating consequences for Native American peoples who were displaced from their lands.
Question 2: Read the passage: 'An embargo is a government order that restricts trade with a specific country. Embargoes are used as a political tool to pressure other governments to change their policies. The United States has maintained embargoes against several countries for political reasons.' What is the purpose of an embargo?
- To increase trade with a country.
- To pressure another government to change its policies. (Correct answer)
- To help a country's economy.
- To improve diplomatic relations.
Correct answer: To pressure another government to change its policies.
The passage states: 'Embargoes are used as a political tool to pressure other governments to change their policies.' By restricting trade, the embargoing country aims to cause economic hardship that motivates the targeted country to change problematic behaviors or policies.
Question 3: Read the passage: 'A primary election is a process where voters in a political party choose their candidate for the general election. Primary elections narrow down the field of candidates within each party. The winners of the primary elections then compete against each other in the general election.' What happens after primary elections?
- The winner becomes president.
- Primary winners compete in the general election. (Correct answer)
- New primary elections are held.
- The candidates retire.
Correct answer: Primary winners compete in the general election.
The passage states: 'The winners of the primary elections then compete against each other in the general election.' Primary elections are the first step — they determine who represents each party. The general election is the final contest where the party nominees face off to determine the winner.
Question 4: Read the passage: 'The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including large reparation payments and territorial losses. Many historians believe these harsh terms contributed to the rise of extremism in Germany and eventually to World War II.' What did some historians believe about the Treaty of Versailles?
- It successfully prevented future wars.
- Its harsh terms may have contributed to World War II. (Correct answer)
- It was fair to all countries involved.
- It had no lasting effects.
Correct answer: Its harsh terms may have contributed to World War II.
The passage states: 'Many historians believe these harsh terms contributed to the rise of extremism in Germany and eventually to World War II.' The severe economic and territorial penalties imposed on Germany created resentment that extremist political movements exploited, ultimately leading to another world war.
Question 5: Read the passage: 'A nonprofit organization operates for a purpose other than making profit. Unlike businesses, nonprofits use their revenue to serve their mission, such as helping the poor, protecting the environment, or promoting education. Well-known nonprofits include the Red Cross and the United Way.' How do nonprofits differ from businesses?
- Nonprofits don't have employees.
- Nonprofits use revenue to serve their mission rather than generate profit. (Correct answer)
- Nonprofits don't have any money.
- Nonprofits only exist in the United States.
Correct answer: Nonprofits use revenue to serve their mission rather than generate profit.
The passage explains: 'Unlike businesses, nonprofits use their revenue to serve their mission.' Businesses aim to generate profit for owners or shareholders, while nonprofits direct their revenue toward a social, educational, or charitable purpose. They still earn money but use it differently.
Question 6: Read the passage: 'Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage. By concentrating opposing voters in a few districts or spreading them thin across many districts, the party in power can influence election outcomes. This practice has been criticized as undemocratic.' Why is gerrymandering considered undemocratic?
- Because it creates more districts.
- Because it manipulates boundaries to give unfair advantage to one party. (Correct answer)
- Because it removes district boundaries.
- Because it prevents voting.
Correct answer: Because it manipulates boundaries to give unfair advantage to one party.
The passage explains that gerrymandering involves 'drawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage' and that it 'has been criticized as undemocratic.' By manipulating boundaries, the party in power can predetermine election outcomes, undermining the principle of fair representation.
ELTIS Reading Social Studies Texts Practice Test 11
Read the passage: 'Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent.
This belief drove westward expansion, including the Oregon Trail migrations and the California Gold Rush.
However, expansion came at a great cost to Native American peoples.' What was Manifest Destiny?