Social Studies GED Test

Question 1

This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

"I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever "fixed" at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound. To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today. When contemporary Americans cite "The Constitution," they invoke concept that is vastly different from what the Framers barely began to construct two centurie ago... When the Founding Fathers used this phrase [We, the People) in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America's citizens. "We the People" included, in the words of the Framers, "the whole Number of free Persons."

This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by President Ronald Reagan.

“In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began. For it was with the writing of our Constitution, setting down the architecture of democratic government, that the noble sentiments and brave rhetoric of 1776 took on substance....

All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights-until that moment some might have said that was just a high-blown sentiment, the dreams of a few philosophers and their hot-headed followers. But could one really construct a government, run a country, with such idealistic notions? But once those ideals took root in living, functioning institutions, once those notions became a nation-well, then, as I said, the revolution could really begin, not just in America but around the world, a revolution to free man from tyranny of every sort and secure his freedom the only way possible in this world, through the checks and balances and institutions of limited, democratic government.”

What was the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

The mean population across the British American colonies in 1700 was 16,000.

The U.S. Census Bureau data for 1700 indicates this as the average population across the colonies. This figure represents an aggregate division of the total population by the number of colonies.

A) 56,000
This figure is too high to represent the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700. The U.S. Census Bureau data does not support this number as an average, which would suggest a considerably higher total population across all the colonies.

B) 21,000
While closer to the correct answer, 21,000 is still not the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700 according to the U.S. Census Bureau data. This figure is higher than the actual average, indicating a larger total population than was present at the time.

C) 6,000
This number is significantly lower than the actual mean population across the British American colonies in 1700. An average value of 6,000 would suggest a considerably smaller total population across the colonies than the U.S. Census Bureau data indicates.

D) 16,000
The U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700 was indeed 16,000. This figure represents the total population across all the colonies divided by the number of colonies, yielding the average or 'mean' population per colony.

Conclusion
According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700 was 16,000. Other presented numbers either overestimated or underestimated the actual mean population. Understanding and interpreting statistical data correctly is key to accurately representing historical demographics and population trends.

Question 2

This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

"I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever "fixed" at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound. To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today. When contemporary Americans cite "The Constitution," they invoke concept that is vastly different from what the Framers barely began to construct two centurie ago... When the Founding Fathers used this phrase [We, the People) in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America's citizens. "We the People" included, in the words of the Framers, "the whole Number of free Persons."

This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by President Ronald Reagan.

“In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began. For it was with the writing of our Constitution, setting down the architecture of democratic government, that the noble sentiments and brave rhetoric of 1776 took on substance....

All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights-until that moment some might have said that was just a high-blown sentiment, the dreams of a few philosophers and their hot-headed followers. But could one really construct a government, run a country, with such idealistic notions? But once those ideals took root in living, functioning institutions, once those notions became a nation-well, then, as I said, the revolution could really begin, not just in America but around the world, a revolution to free man from tyranny of every sort and secure his freedom the only way possible in this world, through the checks and balances and institutions of limited, democratic government.”

Which statement from the excerpts provides evidence for the Inference that minority rights were not protected by the U.S. government as originally founded?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

"To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today."

This statement directly implies that the original U.S. government, as established by the Constitution, did not adequately protect the rights of all individuals, particularly those in minority groups. It suggests that significant changes and struggles, including amendments, a civil war, and a major societal shift, were necessary to reach the level of individual freedom and human rights protections that are considered foundational in modern ×.

A) "To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today."
This statement directly addresses the original deficiencies in the U.S. government's protection of individual and minority rights. It outlines specific historical events and processes that were necessary to amend these deficiencies, thus providing evidence for the inference that minority rights were not initially protected by the U.S. government.

B) "In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began."
This statement refers to the beginnings of the Revolution and the year the Constitution was written, but it does not provide specific evidence about the protection (or lack thereof) of minority rights in the original governmental structure.

C) "I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever 'fixed' at the Philadelphia Convention."
This statement suggests that the Constitution has evolved and changed over time. However, it does not directly provide evidence about the initial protection of minority rights by the U.S. government.

D) "For it was with the writing of our Constitution, setting down the architecture of democratic government, that the noble sentiments and brave rhetoric of 1776 took on substance......"
This statement emphasizes the significance of the Constitution in making the ideals of democracy concrete. However, it does not specifically address the protection of minority rights at the time the U.S. government was founded.

Conclusion
The statement that best supports the inference that minority rights were not protected by the U.S. government as originally founded is, "To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today." The other choices, while relevant to the context, do not directly address the government's initial lack of protection for minority rights.

Question 3

This excerpt is from a 2002 document published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The realigning President proposes to create a new Department of Homeland Security... by largely transforming and Is to protect the current confusing patchwork of government activities into a single department whose primary mission our homeland....

History... teaches us that new challenges require new organizational structures.

For example, prior to 1945, America's armed forces were inefficiently structured with separate War and Navy Departments and disconnected intelligence units. There were no formal mechanisms for.cooperation..

In December 1945, only months after America's decisive victory in World War II,... President Truman declared, "It Is now time... to provide for the future the soundest, most effective and most economical kind of structure for our armed forces...."

President Truman's goals were achieved with the National Security Act of 1947 and subsequent amendments... The legislation consolidated the separate military Departments Into the Department of Defense..., established a Central Intelligence Agency to coordinate all foreign intelligence collection and analysis, and created the National Security Council in the White House to coordinate all foreign and defense policy efforts.

According to Justice Marshall, what historical factor has contradicted the ideas expressed in the U.S. Constitution?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

According to Justice Marshall, slavery has contradicted the ideas expressed in the U.S. Constitution.

In his speech, Justice Thurgood Marshall argues that the original construction of the U.S. Constitution was defective and did not fully encompass the rights of all American citizens. He specifically refers to the phrase "We the People" as having initially applied only to "the whole Number of free Persons," a clear allusion to the historical fact of slavery in America.

A) Slavery
Justice Marshall's reference to "the whole Number of free Persons" indicates that slavery was a significant contradiction to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. The framers failed to include enslaved individuals in their definition of "We the People," thus undermining the Constitution's assertion of universal rights and freedoms. This means slavery is the correct answer.

B) Free enterprise
Justice Marshall does not mention free enterprise in his speech. The concept of free enterprise pertains to economic freedoms and the ability to conduct business competitively without undue governmental interference. While it's a fundamental aspect of American society, it was not discussed as a factor contradicting the ideas of the U.S. Constitution in this context.

C) Religion
Religion is not mentioned or alluded to in Justice Marshall's speech. The U.S. Constitution, through the First Amendment, guarantees freedom of religion. However, Justice Marshall does not argue that this principle has been contradicted in American history.

D) Class war
While Justice Marshall points out deficiencies in the original Constitution, he does not specifically mention class war as a factor. Class struggle or class warfare refers to political tension and economic conflicts among various classes in society, but this is not the main focus of Justice Marshall's argument about the historical flaws in the Constitution.

Conclusion
Justice Thurgood Marshall's speech points out that the original U.S. Constitution did not fully realize the principles it espoused due to its exclusion of enslaved individuals. While he does not specifically mention the term "slavery," his reference to "the whole Number of free Persons" clearly indicates this historical contradiction. The other options—free enterprise, religion, and class war—are not mentioned or alluded to in his speech as factors contradicting the Constitution's ideals.

Question 4

What basic assumption behind Marshall's remarks is not behind Reagan's remarks?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

The framers of the U.S. Constitution have received more credit than they deserve for the governmental protections Americans enjoy.

Marshall's speech suggests that the Constitution, as initially written, was flawed and required significant amendments and social transformations to reach its current state of protecting individual freedoms and human rights. This implies that Marshall believes the framers have been overcredited for the rights and protections Americans currently enjoy.

A) The framers of the U.S. Constitution have received more credit than they deserve for the governmental protections Americans enjoy.
This option aligns with Marshall's argument. He directly questions the wisdom and foresight of the framers, stating that the Constitution was defective from the beginning and needed significant changes to become the system it is today. He does not seem to believe that the framers deserve the full credit for the protections that Americans currently enjoy under the Constitution.

B) The framers of the U.S. Constitution have been credited with creating a document that protects all free people around the world.
Marshall does not discuss the global impact of the Constitution or any credit the framers might have received in this regard. His comments focus mainly on the domestic effects of the Constitution and the changes it required to become a fair and just system within the United States.

C) The U.S. Constitution created a government whose promises are yet to be realized by many around the world.
Again, Marshall's speech is focused on the domestic implications of the Constitution. He does not make any assertions about the Constitution's promises to people around the world. His remarks concentrate on the Constitution's initial shortcomings and the subsequent amendments and transformations required to make it a better system for Americans.

D) The U.S. Constitution created a government based on the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Marshall does not mention the Declaration of Independence in his speech or make any connections between it and the Constitution. His comments are primarily focused on the flaws of the Constitution as initially conceived and its subsequent evolution.

Conclusion
Marshall's remarks suggest that the framers of the Constitution have been overcredited for creating a document that provides the protections and freedoms Americans enjoy today. He argues that the original Constitution was flawed and required significant amendments and social transformations to become a system that truly respects individual freedoms and human rights. Marshall does not discuss the Constitution's global impact or its relationship with the Declaration of Independence.

Select an answer to continue →

Question 5

Based on the excerpt, which change was a result of the National Security Act of 1947?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

The Department of the Navy became part of the Department of Defense.

The National Security Act of 1947 resulted in the consolidation of the separate military Departments, including the Department of the Navy, into the Department of Defense. This reorganization was part of an effort to create a more efficient and effective military structure in the United States.

A) The Central Intelligence Agency replaced the War Department.
This choice is incorrect because the excerpt does not mention that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) replaced the War Department. Instead, the CIA was established to coordinate all foreign intelligence collection and analysis.

B) The National Security Council gained control over the Department of Defense.
The excerpt does not state that the National Security Council gained control over the Department of Defense. It mentions that the National Security Council was created to coordinate all foreign and defense policy efforts, but this does not imply control over the Department of Defense.

C) The Department of Homeland Security replaced the War Department.
This choice is incorrect because the Department of Homeland Security is not mentioned as a result of the National Security Act of 1947. The excerpt mentions the Department of Homeland Security as part of a proposal by a different President, not as a result of this act.

D) The Department of the Navy became part of the Department of Defense.
This is the correct answer. The excerpt states that the National Security Act of 1947 consolidated the separate military Departments into the Department of Defense, which would include the Department of the Navy.

Conclusion
The National Security Act of 1947 led to a significant reorganization of the U.S. military structure, including the consolidation of the separate Department of the Navy into the newly formed Department of Defense. This act did not result in the Central Intelligence Agency replacing the War Department, the National Security Council gaining control over the Department of Defense, or the Department of Homeland Security replacing the War Department.

Select an answer to continue →

Free Preview Ended

You've seen the first 5 questions.
Subscribe to unlock the remaining 22 questions + full features.

Unlock Full Exam See Other Exams

The mean population across the British American colonies in 1700 was 16,000.

"To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today."

According to Justice Marshall, slavery has contradicted the ideas expressed in the U.S. Constitution.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution have received more credit than they deserve for the governmental protections Americans enjoy.

The Department of the Navy became part of the Department of Defense.

Free Preview Ended

Unlock Full Access

You are leaving this quiz

You're in the middle of a quiz

Report an Issue

Rate this Practice Test