ged social studies practice test

A a high school equivalency exam designed for individuals who did not graduate from high school but want to demonstrate they have the same knowledge and skills as a high school graduate

This table contains data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
What was the mean population across the British American colonies in 1700?
Question image
  • A. 56,000
  • B. 21,000
  • C. 6,000
  • D. 16,000
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

In 1700, the mean population across the British American colonies was approximately 16,000. This figure reflects the early colonial growth and settlement patterns during that period. Option A (56,000) overestimates the population, as it does not account for the smaller settlements and rural areas that characterized the colonies at that time. Option B (21,000) is also too high, misrepresenting the demographic data available for the early 18th century. Option C (6,000) significantly underestimates the population, ignoring the established colonies with growing communities. Thus, D accurately represents the mean population based on historical records.

Other Related Questions

Which statement from the excerpts is a fact?
  • A. "When people blame the current crisis on the free market, they are making a grave intellectual error." (paragraph 3)
  • B. "... we ultimately included a provision in the Affordable Care Act that people who can afford to buy health insurance should take the responsibility to do so." (paragraph 7)
  • C. "Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is overregulated and in need of serious market reforms." (paragraph 2)
  • D. "... [T]oday's decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it." (paragraph 5)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B presents a factual statement regarding the Affordable Care Act, specifically mentioning a provision that mandates individuals who can afford health insurance to take responsibility for purchasing it. This is a verifiable aspect of the legislation. In contrast, Option A expresses an opinion about blaming the free market, which is subjective and open to interpretation. Option C also conveys a viewpoint on government regulation and reform needs, lacking objective verification. Lastly, Option D describes a perceived outcome of a decision, reflecting an opinion on its impact rather than presenting a fact. Thus, only Option B stands as an objective statement grounded in legislation.
Which quotation from the excerpt reveals the author's bias about the relationship between the rule of the majority and the rights of the minority?
  • A. "The wishes of the smaller group will override the wishes of the larger group and this will create resentment."
  • B. "Requiring a unanimous vote or more than a majority vote is meant to provide a safeguard against oppression."
  • C. "In these circumstances, expect constant scheming, trickery, and tiresome delays, resulting in disgraceful deals that violate the public good."
  • D. "In times of national emergency, the goodness, badness, weakness, and strength of the government is supremely important."
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C highlights the author's bias by suggesting that the majority's decisions can lead to unethical behavior that undermines public welfare. This reveals a concern for minority rights, indicating that the author believes majority rule may result in negative consequences for those not in power. Option A misrepresents the author's view, as it suggests that the smaller group's wishes will always be overridden, which does not directly reflect bias against majority rule. Option B focuses on safeguards against oppression, which does not convey bias but rather a protective measure. Option D addresses the government's performance during emergencies but fails to connect to the relationship between majority rule and minority rights, missing the core issue of bias.
According to the information in the first graph, which statement correctly describes the period from 2006 to 2008?
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  • A. Gross farm income continued the decline that had characterized previous years.
  • B. Gross farm income increased despite increases in production costs.
  • C. Increases in production costs caused gross farm income to decline.
  • D. Decreases in production costs continued throughout this period.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

During the period from 2006 to 2008, gross farm income saw an increase, even as production costs rose. This indicates that farmers managed to offset higher expenses with increased revenue. Option A is incorrect as it suggests a continuation of decline, which contradicts the data showing growth in income. Option C misinterprets the relationship between rising costs and income, as income actually increased despite those costs. Option D is inaccurate because it implies a consistent decrease in production costs, which is not supported by the graph indicating rising expenses during this timeframe.
Which statement from the excerpts provides evidence for the Inference that minority rights were not protected by the U.S. government as originally founded?
  • 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."
  • B. "In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began."
  • C. "I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever 'fixed' at the Philadelphia Convention."
  • 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......"
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A highlights the inherent flaws in the original government structure, indicating that it required significant amendments and a civil war to address fundamental issues, including the protection of minority rights. This suggests that, from its inception, the government did not adequately safeguard these rights. Options B, C, and D, while relevant to the historical context, do not specifically address the inadequacies of minority rights protection. B focuses on the ongoing nature of the Revolution, C discusses the evolving interpretation of the Constitution, and D emphasizes the establishment of democratic principles without mentioning the lack of protections for minority rights.