ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Social Studies Texts 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage: 'The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788 and established the framework for the federal government. The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, consists of the first ten amendments and protects individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.' According to the passage, what does the Bill of Rights protect?
- The power of the federal government over states
- Individual liberties such as freedom of speech and religion (Correct answer)
- The process for ratifying new states
- The duties of the President and Congress
Correct answer: Individual liberties such as freedom of speech and religion
The passage explicitly states that the Bill of Rights 'protects individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press,' making option B the directly supported answer.
Question 2: A social studies text states: 'The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 1700s, transformed economies from agriculture-based to manufacturing-based. Factories replaced cottage industries, and workers moved from rural areas to cities in a process called urbanization.' Based on this passage, what is urbanization?
- The growth of factory machinery during the Industrial Revolution
- The shift from manufacturing back to farming
- The movement of workers from rural areas to cities (Correct answer)
- The process of building new roads between towns
Correct answer: The movement of workers from rural areas to cities
The passage defines urbanization directly as 'workers moved from rural areas to cities,' so option C matches the passage's own definition.
Question 3: Read the excerpt: 'The Great Depression of the 1930s caused widespread unemployment and poverty across the United States. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of government programs designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform.' What was the purpose of the New Deal?
- To declare war on foreign nations that caused the Depression
- To provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression (Correct answer)
- To reduce the size of the federal government
- To encourage banks to lend more money without restrictions
Correct answer: To provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression
The passage states the New Deal was 'designed to provide relief, recovery, and reform,' which is exactly what option B says.
Question 4: A textbook passage reads: 'The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II with the goal of promoting international peace and cooperation. Member nations agree to resolve conflicts through diplomacy rather than armed conflict whenever possible.' According to the passage, how does the United Nations prefer conflicts to be resolved?
- Through military force led by the most powerful nations
- By allowing each nation to act independently without interference
- Through diplomacy rather than armed conflict (Correct answer)
- By holding public elections in countries experiencing conflict
Correct answer: Through diplomacy rather than armed conflict
The passage clearly states that member nations agree to resolve conflicts 'through diplomacy rather than armed conflict,' directly supporting option C.
Question 5: Read the following passage: 'The system of federalism divides governmental power between the national government and state governments. Some powers, like printing money and declaring war, belong only to the federal government, while others, like issuing driver's licenses, are left to individual states.' Based on this passage, which power belongs to the federal government?
- Issuing driver's licenses to residents
- Setting school lunch menus for local districts
- Declaring war on foreign nations (Correct answer)
- Deciding state speed limits on highways
Correct answer: Declaring war on foreign nations
The passage gives 'declaring war' as an explicit example of a power that 'belong[s] only to the federal government,' making option C the correct answer.
Question 6: A social studies text states: 'The American westward expansion of the 1800s was fueled by the concept of Manifest Destiny — the belief that the United States was destined to stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This expansion came at a great cost to Native American populations, who were displaced from their ancestral lands.' What does the passage say was a consequence of westward expansion?
- Native Americans gained new territories and legal protections
- The United States expanded its trade routes with European nations
- Native American populations were displaced from their ancestral lands (Correct answer)
- New railroad lines connected the East Coast to South America
Correct answer: Native American populations were displaced from their ancestral lands
The passage states that expansion 'came at a great cost to Native American populations, who were displaced from their ancestral lands,' directly matching option C.
ELTIS - English Language Test for International Students Reading Social Studies Texts 1
Read the following passage: 'The United States Constitution was ratified in 1788 and established the framework for the federal government.
The Bill of Rights, added in 1791, consists of the first ten amendments and protects individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.' According to the passage, what does the Bill of Rights protect?