GED Social Studies Test #10 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term "federalism" refers to:
- A system where power is divided between national and state governments (Correct answer)
- A system where all power belongs to the central government
- A direct democracy where citizens vote on every law
- A system where states have no relationship to the federal government
Correct answer: A system where power is divided between national and state governments
Federalism divides governmental power between a central (federal) government and regional (state) governments. The U.S. Constitution outlines which powers belong to the federal government and which are reserved for the states.
Question 2: The Cold War was primarily a conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union over:
- Political ideology — capitalism vs. communism (Correct answer)
- Control of trade routes across the Pacific
- Territorial disputes in South America
- Competition for nuclear weapons technology alone
Correct answer: Political ideology — capitalism vs. communism
The Cold War (1947–1991) was an ideological and geopolitical struggle between the U.S. (democratic capitalism) and the Soviet Union (communist authoritarianism). It involved arms races, proxy wars, and political influence campaigns rather than direct military conflict.
Question 3: Which economic term describes the total market value of all goods and services produced by a country in one year?
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Correct answer)
- Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- National Debt
- Balance of Trade
Correct answer: Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) measures a country's economic output. It is used to compare the economic size and health of different countries and to track economic growth over time.
Question 4: The purpose of the United Nations (UN), founded in 1945, was primarily to:
- Promote international peace, security, and cooperation among nations (Correct answer)
- Create a single world government to replace national governments
- Manage the global economy and trade
- Provide military defense for Western nations
Correct answer: Promote international peace, security, and cooperation among nations
The UN was established after WWII to prevent future global conflicts through international cooperation, diplomacy, and collective security. Its core mission is maintaining peace and fostering cooperation on economic and humanitarian issues.
Question 5: In a market economy, prices for goods are primarily determined by:
- Supply and demand (Correct answer)
- Government regulations
- Production costs alone
- International trade agreements
Correct answer: Supply and demand
In a free market economy, prices are determined by the interaction of supply (how much is available) and demand (how much consumers want to buy). When demand exceeds supply, prices rise; when supply exceeds demand, prices fall.
Question 6: The Great Migration (1910–1970) refers to:
- The movement of millions of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities (Correct answer)
- The westward expansion of European settlers across North America
- The immigration of millions of Europeans to the United States
- The relocation of Native Americans to reservation lands
Correct answer: The movement of millions of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities
The Great Migration involved approximately 6 million Black Americans leaving the South to escape Jim Crow laws, racial violence, and economic hardship, seeking better opportunities in Northern and Western cities.
GED Social Studies Test #10 2
The term "federalism" refers to: