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GED Social Studies Answers

1. A Stated in line 4 of the last paragraph. This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. Choices B, C and D are not mentioned in the passage. Choice A is the only answer that is clearly provided in the passage as a reason for the retreat of the Mound-builders.

2. B This question requires the candidate to make assumptions based on the information given in the passage. The author describes the accomplishments of the Mound-builders as artful, elegant, and masterful which all imply the author thinks highly of this group. Choice A is incorrect because it does not agree with the information provided in the passage. The mound-builders are described as intelligent but nothing is mentioned about their arrogance or humility. The passage does not imply that the Mound-builders were unhappy or discontent so Choice C is incorrect. D is incorrect because the author does not mention how the Mound-builders felt about moving.

3. C This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. The first paragraph states that the Mound-builders "artfully" selected sites near rivers for their cities.

4. C This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. This question tells candidates that the information is located within the first paragraph.

5. D Paragraph 2, line 6 describes the Mound-builders as "masters of river navigation," eliminating choice A. Paragraph 2 line 6 states that Mound-builders were able to "convey vast burdens overland," eliminating choice B. Paragraph 2, line 1 states the Mound-builders "made elegant pottery," eliminating choice C. The first three choices were specifically addressed in the passage. Glass-blowing was not mentioned in the passage and there is too little information provided for the candidate to logically assume the Mound-builders possessed this skill.

6. A The author uses positive terms to describe Washington so choices B, C and D would not work. The author describes Washington as "well-proportioned," possessing "great dignity," having "marvelous powers of endurance," "military knowledge," "sound judgment," "self-control," "sublime courage," and "lofty patriotism." Only choice A would logically fit into the author's description of Washington. While the author does not specifically use the phrase "strong and capable leader" it can be assumed that the author would think this.

7. B This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. The answer can be found in paragraph 2, line 2. It states that "the Continental government was the worst possible for carrying on war." Choice A is in direct opposition to the information provided in the passage. Choices C and D are also incorrect because they state the exact opposite of what the passage states.

8. D The author made it a point to describe Washington's physical appearance in very positive terms leading the reader to assume that Washington's appearance was a contributing factor to his success. Choice A is incorrect because nothing in the passage implies that Washington was ashamed of his height. Choice B is incorrect because the author states that Washington was 6 feet tall and "well-proportioned." Choice C is incorrect because Washington's physical appearance was obviously believed by the author to be part of his success due to the great detail the author provides regarding Washington's physical appearance.

9. B This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. Paragraph 2 provides a detailed description of the problems Washington faced while fighting England. The paragraph discusses the problems with finding, training and supplying an army. The passage does not mention any of the problems presented in choices A, C and D.

10. C This was not a literal sentence. It does not mean that Washington actually fought in a war with his hands tied behind his back. The phrase is meant to convey the difficulty Washington faced during the battle. The actions of the government combined with the lack of troops and supplies are being compared to having one's hands bound behind their back. It is a metaphor. Choice A is incorrect because the phrase is not literal. B is incorrect because the metaphor does not imply ease. Choice D is incorrect for the same reason as A.

11. B This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. Paragraph 1, lines 4-5 state that the brothers wanted Italy's unused lands to be populated by the idle masses of Rome. Choices A, C and D are incorrect because none of these can be assumed from the information given in the passage.

12. B This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. Paragraph 1, lines 2-3 state that, "Rome should not be managed any longer by the noble senators for their own benefit or for the benefit of rich contractors and merchants." Choices A, C and D provide the exact opposite view.

13. A This question will demonstrate a candidate's basic ability to comprehend information. The candidate must read the paragraph and understand the information provided. This question is a very basic one that requires the candidate to identify a specific piece of information within the passage. The candidate may remember the answer from reading the passage or they may have to review the passage again to find the answer. Paragraph 2, lines 5-7 state that "to bring an army into Italy south of the Rubicon River was to make war on the republic and be guilty of treason." B is incorrect because leading armies into battle was not mentioned as an act of treason. C is incorrect because the first paragraph of the passage implies that many people spoke out against the senators. D is incorrect because the passage mentions that battles were fought in the streets.

14. D This question asks candidates to read a passage and distill the main idea. Choice A is incorrect because the entire passage discusses war rather than peace. Choice B is incorrect because the entire passage addresses the problems Rome faced. Choice C is incorrect because it is false according to the first paragraph of the passage. The senators are described as dishonest and selfish. Choice D is the only logical answer. It summarizes the passage much better than the other choices.

15. B Based on the information in the passage, candidates should understand that murder was a common occurrence in Rome. Romans killed enemies in battles and they killed political leaders with whom they did not agree. Choice A is incorrect because killing was done in other situations and not limited to crimes of treason. Choice C is incorrect because Romans killed well-known figures as explained in the first lines of paragraph 2. Choice D is incorrect because criminals were not the only ones sentenced to death.

16. C The chart only shows U.S. contributions to Norway, not from Norway. Candidates must be able to interpret and analyze the information provided in a chart or graph. The title of this chart reflects the limit of its content. Choice A is incorrect because the chart reveals the difference in contributions to France and Italy. Choice B is incorrect because the chart reveals the total contributions to all industries in Germany and Ireland. Choice D is wrong because the information on the chart can be used to determine the average amount given to the service sector of Germany, Ireland and Italy.

17. D Pie charts are used to show what percentage is taken up by a specific contributing factor. This questions tests candidate's knowledge of various charts and graphs. The candidate must have a basic idea about the benefits and limitations of each type of chart or graph in order to determine which one would be best to display a particular type of information. Bar charts, line graphs and scatter graphs are not the most effective tools for conveying a visual representation of percentages.

18. B Candidates should be able to make realistic and logical assumptions after reading a passage or interpreting data. Choice A requires the student to make an assumption about the creator of the chart when they have no information regarding the method in which the chart was created. Choice C is incorrect because the title of the chart specifies that all information is given in millions of dollars. Choice D requires the candidates to make assumptions about a country when they have been given no information upon which to base these assumptions.

19. A The chart only shows how much is contributed, not why. Candidates must understand the limitations of charts and graphs. Choices B, C and D are incorrect because the chart does not reveal any information that could be used to support any of these claims. The chart provides a comparison of the financial contributions made to each country by the U.S. and that is all. Assumptions cannot be made as to why or how these contributions are made.

20. C This question provides an additional piece of information and asks the candidate to combine it with the previously supplied information. One must assume that the number in France's All industries column is the total amount for manufacturing, services and health care. In this case, the total of all industries must include the sum of manufacturing, services and health care. In order to calculate the contributions made to health care only, add the manufacturing and services contributions. Subtract that total from the contributions made to all industries. The resulting number will yield the contribution made to health care in millions of dollars.