Question 1

When did the American War of Independence end?
A) 1759
B) 1783
C) 1815
D) 1865
E) 1918

Accepted Answer

The other dates mark the conclusion of different conflicts.

Question 2

The belief that the United States has a unique mission in the world is called what?
A) Manifest Destiny
B) Imperialism
C) American Exceptionalism
D) Capitalism
E) Cold War

Accepted Answer

Although it reflects similar sentiments, Manifest Destiny refers to the belief that it was the United States divinely ordained destiny to spread from coast to coast.

Question 3

In the spring of 2020, which of the following did the American people considered to be the biggest threat facing the country?
A) Terrorism
B) The spread of infectious diseases
C) Cyberattacks from foreign countries
D) Chinese influence and power
E) Russian influence and power

Accepted Answer

All of these were considered major threats but at the onset of the global COVID 19 pandemic the threat of infectious diseases topped the list.

Question 4

During the 19th century, where did most immigrants to the US come from?
A) Northwestern Europe
B) India & Pakistan
C) Central America
D) South America
E) China

Accepted Answer

Patterns of immigration have changed over time.

Question 5

According to US Census Bureau estimates in 2019, which was the largest non-White group in the country?
A) Asians
B) Latinos
C) African Americans
D) Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders
E) American Indian and Alaska Natives

Accepted Answer

African Americans come in second.

Question 6

What is the approximate size of the US population?
A) 240 million
B) 300 million
C) 309 million
D) 331 million
E) 530 million

Accepted Answer

According to a 2019 US Census Bureau Report.

Question 7

What meaning do you attach to the term "nativist"?
A) Racist
B) Xenophobic
C) Positive discrimination
D) Dislike of outsiders
E) Hatred of Indians

Accepted Answer

Also known as xenophobia.

Question 8

Which term best defines religious affiliations in the US?
A) Conformity
B) Diversity
C) Uniformity
D) Christian
E) Increasingly Muslim

Accepted Answer

Much of this section in the text describes the nature of this diversity.

Question 9

How do most Americans approach the role of government?
A) Wish to increase federal powers
B) Wish to reduce state powers
C) Favour abolition of local government
D) Want to increase presidential powers
E) Want as little government intervention as possible

Accepted Answer

Americans tend to be suspicious of government. This is often referred to as anti-statism.

Question 10

What was the voter turnout in the 2020 President election?
A) 70 percent
B) 55 percent
C) 66 percent
D) 40 percent
E) 100 percent

Accepted Answer

While 70 percent of Americans register to vote, far fewer actually do. The 2020 Presidential election had the highest voter turnout since 1900.

Question 11

Who received the most votes in the 2016 Presidential election?
A) Jill Stein
B) Donald Trump
C) Joe Biden
D) Hilary Clinton
E) Bernie Sanders

Accepted Answer

Clinton got nearly 3 million more votes than Trump but Trump got more Electoral College votes. It is the Electoral College that decides the winner.

Question 12

Which terms best describe American attitudes to economic issues?
A) Individualism
B) Pluralist
C) Free enterprise
D) Interventionist
E) Collectivist

Accepted Answer

While this historical tendency is still evident today, it tends to be more characteristic of the Republicans than the Democrats.

Question 13

What were sub-prime transactions concerned with?
A) Excessive imports
B) Excessive borrowing
C) Currency devaluation
D) Irresponsible lending
E) Federal spending

Accepted Answer

While many people did borrow beyond their means, it was the lenders that were held responsible for the crisis.

Question 14

With which 2 areas were "affirmative action" programs associated?
A) Welfare payments
B) Education
C) Employment
D) Healthcare
E) Disabled people

Accepted Answer

Defined in the text as discrimination in favor of minority groups.

Question 15

What are some of the characteristics that you would associate with the American people and their society? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some of the characteristics that...

Question 16

Why are questions of "national identity" important in the US?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are questions of "national identity" important...

Question 17

What is American exceptionalism and why does it matter??

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is American exceptionalism and why does...

Question 18

What is racism, and what evidence do you see of it in contemporary American society?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is racism, and what evidence do...

Quiz 1: The American Context

When did the American War of Independence end?

The belief that the United States has a unique mission in the world is called what?

In the spring of 2020, which of the following did the American people considered to be the biggest threat facing the country?

During the 19th century, where did most immigrants to the US come from?

According to US Census Bureau estimates in 2019, which was the largest non-White group in the country?

What is the approximate size of the US population?

What meaning do you attach to the term "nativist"?

Which term best defines religious affiliations in the US?

How do most Americans approach the role of government?

What was the voter turnout in the 2020 President election?

Who received the most votes in the 2016 Presidential election?

Which terms best describe American attitudes to economic issues?

What were sub-prime transactions concerned with?

With which 2 areas were "affirmative action" programs associated?

What are some of the characteristics that you would associate with the American people and their society? Why?

Why are questions of "national identity" important in the US?

What is American exceptionalism and why does it matter??

What is racism, and what evidence do you see of it in contemporary American society?