Are You Smarter Than A Twelfth Grader?

1.

The graph above supports which statement about the birthrate in the United States?

A.

It declined steadily from 1920 to 1950.
B.

It increased rapidly during the Great Depression.
C.

It increased after the Second World War.
D.

It tended to increase after each war.

Correct Answer
C. It increased after the Second World War.

Explanation
The graph above shows the birthrate in the United States over time. From the graph, it can be observed that the birthrate declined steadily from 1920 to 1950, which contradicts the statement that the birthrate increased after the Second World War. Therefore, the correct answer is that the birthrate increased after the Second World War.

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2.

Progressive Era writers such as Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Licoln Steffens were known as "muckrakers" because they

A.

Engaged in questionable "yellow journalism" that had a negative effect on United States foreign policy
B.

Defended the interests of agricultural workers against those of the urban working classes
C.

Exposed serious political and social problems to public view
D.

Inflamed popular feelings against recent immigrants and led the government to pass restrictive quotas

Correct Answer
C. Exposed serious political and social problems to public view

Explanation
Progressive Era writers such as Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Lincoln Steffens were known as "muckrakers" because they exposed serious political and social problems to public view. They used investigative journalism to shed light on issues such as corruption, inequality, and poor working conditions. Their writings aimed to bring about social and political reforms by raising awareness and prompting public action. Their work had a significant impact on society and helped to initiate changes during the Progressive Era.

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3.

Shays' Rebellion (1786) was important because it

A.

Led many people to believe that the central government was too weak
B.

Led to the end of public support for the First Bank of the United States
C.

Made many people fear the tyranny of the President more than the tyranny of England
D.

Convinced many people in the North that slavery should be expanded to new territories

Correct Answer
A. Led many people to believe that the central government was too weak

Explanation
Shays' Rebellion was a significant event in American history because it demonstrated the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation. The rebellion, led by farmers in Massachusetts who were struggling with debt and high taxes, highlighted the inability of the government to effectively respond to internal conflicts. This led many people to question the effectiveness and power of the central government, ultimately paving the way for the Constitutional Convention and the creation of a stronger federal government under the United States Constitution.

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4.

"This American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier. The expansion westward with its new opportunities, itts continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnishes the forces dominating the American character. The true point of view inthe history of this nation is not the Atlantic coast, it is the Great West. --Frederick Jackson Turner, 1893 Turner made his speech about the importance of the American frontier partly in response to

A.

The closing of the frontier recorded in the 1890 census
B.

United States efforts to limit European immigration to frontier regions
C.

The elimination of slavery by the Thirteenth Amendment
D.

The great numbers of western pioneers who lost their farms

Correct Answer
A. The closing of the frontier recorded in the 1890 census

Explanation
Turner's speech about the importance of the American frontier was made partly in response to the closing of the frontier, which was recorded in the 1890 census. This event marked the end of the continuous westward expansion and the settlement of the American frontier, which had a significant impact on the development of American society and character.

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5.

During the Korean War, United Nations forces made up largely of troops from the United States and South korea fought against troops from North Korea and

A.

The Soviet Union
B.

Japan
C.

China
D.

Vietnam

Correct Answer
C. China

Explanation
During the Korean War, United Nations forces, primarily composed of troops from the United States and South Korea, fought against troops from North Korea and China. China's involvement in the war was significant as they provided military support to North Korea, including troops and supplies. This intervention by China escalated the conflict and prolonged the war, resulting in a stalemate and eventual armistice.

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6.

In 1935 and 1936 the Supreme Court declared that important parts of the New Deal were unconstitutional. President Roosevelt responded by threatening to

A.

Impeach several Supreme Court justices
B.

Eliminate the Supreme Court
C.

Appoint additional Supreme Court justices who shared his views
D.

Override the Supreme Court's decisions by gaining three-fourth majorities in both houses of Congress

Correct Answer
C. Appoint additional Supreme Court justices who shared his views

Explanation
President Roosevelt responded to the Supreme Court declaring parts of the New Deal unconstitutional by threatening to appoint additional Supreme Court justices who shared his views. This was known as the "court-packing" plan, where Roosevelt aimed to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court to ensure that his policies would be upheld. By appointing justices who shared his views, Roosevelt hoped to shift the balance of power in the Court and secure favorable rulings for his New Deal programs.

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7.

The North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact are best described as two

A.

Organizations founded by the European Economic Community to promote trade between Europe and the United States
B.

Treaties negotiated between the Allies and the Central Powers at Versailles after the First World War
C.

Bodies established by the United Nations to promote peace within multiethnic European countries such as Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia
D.

Military organizations made up, respectively, of the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War

Correct Answer
D. Military organizations made up, respectively, of the United States and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War

Explanation
NATO and the Warsaw Pact were military organizations formed during the Cold War. NATO consisted of the United States and its allies, while the Warsaw Pact included the Soviet Union and its allies. These organizations were created as a result of the ideological divide between the Western powers and the Soviet Union, with the purpose of maintaining military alliances and countering each other's influence. The Cold War was characterized by tensions and competition between these two blocs, and NATO and the Warsaw Pact played significant roles in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the time.

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8.

When the cartoon was created, the artist was probably thinking of which foreign policy slogan?

A.

The arsenal of democracy
B.

Peace with honor
C.

We have nothing to fear but fear itself
D.

Speak softly and carry a big stick

Correct Answer
D. Speak softly and carry a big stick

Explanation
The phrase "Speak softly and carry a big stick" is often associated with Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach. It means that a nation should negotiate and engage in diplomacy, but also maintain a strong military presence as a deterrent. This approach suggests that the cartoon was likely created with this foreign policy slogan in mind, as it reflects the idea of using both diplomacy and military strength in international relations.

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9.

One of the central ideas of President George Washington's foreign policy was that the United States should

A.

Play an active role in European affairs
B.

Expand its influence throughout the Americas
C.

Support democracies and oppose monarchies
D.

Avoid permanent alliances with other countries

Correct Answer
D. Avoid permanent alliances with other countries

Explanation
President George Washington's foreign policy emphasized the importance of avoiding permanent alliances with other countries. This approach was based on the belief that such alliances could lead to entanglements and conflicts that could potentially threaten the independence and sovereignty of the United States. Instead, Washington advocated for a policy of neutrality and non-interference in the affairs of other nations. By avoiding permanent alliances, the United States could focus on its own development and interests without being drawn into the conflicts and rivalries of other nations. This policy laid the foundation for the concept of isolationism in American foreign policy.

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10.

What was the main issue in the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in 1858?

A.

Is slavery morally wrong?
B.

Should slavery be allowed to expand to new territories?
C.

Do Southern states have the constitutional right to leave the Union?
D.

Are free African Americans citizens of the United States?

Correct Answer
B. Should slavery be allowed to expand to new territories?

Explanation
The main issue in the debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in 1858 was whether slavery should be allowed to expand to new territories. This was a significant point of contention between the two candidates, as Lincoln believed that the expansion of slavery would lead to its eventual extinction, while Douglas argued for popular sovereignty, which allowed the residents of each territory to decide whether to permit slavery. The debates highlighted the deep divide between the North and the South on the issue of slavery and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion leading up to the Civil War.

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