GED SOC Pretest

A country imposes high tariffs on imported steel to protect its domestic steel industry. As a result, foreign steel becomes more expensive, and consumers increasingly buy locally produced steel. However, businesses that depend on steel as an input face higher production costs.

Which conclusion is best supported?

In a federal system, certain powers belong to the national government (such as printing money), while others are reserved for the states (such as managing local schools). Some responsibilities are shared between both levels, including maintaining public safety and collecting certain taxes.

Which statement best reflects the principle of federalism?

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of programs designed to stabilize the economy and support struggling Americans. Agencies such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) created millions of jobs through public construction projects, while the Social Security Act established long-term welfare protections. Although the New Deal did not fully end the Depression, it fundamentally reshaped the relationship between citizens and the federal government by expanding the government’s role in economic life.

What does the passage suggest about the effectiveness of the New Deal?

During the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of programs designed to stabilize the economy and support struggling Americans. Agencies such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) created millions of jobs through public construction projects, while the Social Security Act established long-term welfare protections. Although the New Deal did not fully end the Depression, it fundamentally reshaped the relationship between citizens and the federal government by expanding the government’s role in economic life.

Based on the passage, what was a major effect of the New Deal on the role of the federal government?

Agricultural expansion often leads to deforestation, which reduces biodiversity and alters local climates. Governments sometimes offer incentives for sustainable farming to slow these effects.

What relationship does this scenario illustrate?

A government imposes a price ceiling on a basic food item to keep it affordable for low-income households. However, producers reduce output because the controlled price is below their production cost.

What is a likely consequence of this policy?

After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers with opposing political and economic systems. Rather than engaging in direct military conflict, they competed through proxy wars, aid programs, and influence campaigns. This period, known as the Cold War, was marked by nuclear tension and ideological rivalry. Although it never erupted into a direct confrontation between the two nations, the conflict reshaped international alliances and global politics for decades.

Which outcome does the passage identify as an effect of the Cold War?

After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as global superpowers with opposing political and economic systems. Rather than engaging in direct military conflict, they competed through proxy wars, aid programs, and influence campaigns. This period, known as the Cold War, was marked by nuclear tension and ideological rivalry. Although it never erupted into a direct confrontation between the two nations, the conflict reshaped international alliances and global politics for decades.

According to the passage, why is the conflict referred to as a “Cold” War?

In the early 20th century, several reforms expanded voting rights in the United States. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, while the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 extended citizenship—and therefore voting eligibility—to many Indigenous peoples. Still, numerous barriers persisted, including poll taxes and literacy tests that disproportionately affected minority groups. Only after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were these discriminatory practices outlawed, significantly improving access to the ballot box.

Which factor most directly limited the effectiveness of early voting-rights reforms?

In the early 20th century, several reforms expanded voting rights in the United States. The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, while the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 extended citizenship—and therefore voting eligibility—to many Indigenous peoples. Still, numerous barriers persisted, including poll taxes and literacy tests that disproportionately affected minority groups. Only after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were these discriminatory practices outlawed, significantly improving access to the ballot box.

Which statement best describes the trend in voting rights discussed in the passage?

When a popular consumer electronic device suddenly becomes scarce due to supply chain disruptions, retailers often increase the price. This price increase reflects basic supply-and-demand principles: as the supply decreases while demand remains high, the equilibrium price rises.

Which conclusion is best supported by the scenario?

During the late 19th century, rapid industrialization transformed labor in the United States. Factories expanded quickly, drawing thousands from rural towns and newly arrived immigrant communities. Working conditions, however, were often harsh: long hours, low wages, and unsafe machinery were common. These conditions led to the rise of labor unions, which organized strikes demanding better pay and safer workplaces. Although early strikes were frequently met with strong resistance from factory owners and local authorities, they laid the foundation for significant labor reforms in the decades that followed.

What does the passage suggest about early labor strikes?

During the late 19th century, rapid industrialization transformed labor in the United States. Factories expanded quickly, drawing thousands from rural towns and newly arrived immigrant communities. Working conditions, however, were often harsh: long hours, low wages, and unsafe machinery were common. These conditions led to the rise of labor unions, which organized strikes demanding better pay and safer workplaces. Although early strikes were frequently met with strong resistance from factory owners and local authorities, they laid the foundation for significant labor reforms in the decades that followed.

Which development is most directly linked to the working conditions described in the passage?

In a constitutional democracy, the principle of checks and balances prevents any single branch of government from accumulating excessive authority. For example, while the legislature has the power to create laws, the executive may veto those laws, and the judiciary can rule them unconstitutional. However, critics argue that in times of political polarization, these mechanisms can create legislative gridlock rather than effective oversight. They claim that when opposing parties control different branches, the system can stall policy-making entirely, leaving urgent national issues unresolved.

Based on the passage, why might urgent national issues remain unresolved?

In a constitutional democracy, the principle of checks and balances prevents any single branch of government from accumulating excessive authority. For example, while the legislature has the power to create laws, the executive may veto those laws, and the judiciary can rule them unconstitutional. However, critics argue that in times of political polarization, these mechanisms can create legislative gridlock rather than effective oversight. They claim that when opposing parties control different branches, the system can stall policy-making entirely, leaving urgent national issues unresolved.

Which statement best summarizes the author’s perspective on the checks and balances system?