Question 1

Which violent sheriff horrified Americans, winning sympathy for the civil rights movement?

Accepted Answer

Bull Connor horrified Americans. The Alabama sheriff's brutal tactics, which included siccing dogs on children and assaulting protestors with a small tank, came to symbolize racism in the South.

Question 2

Whose presidency offered Americans a "New Deal?"

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt campaigned during the Great Depression on his "New Deal" for America, which was designed to reverse the ill effects of the Depression. His election and the implementation of New Deal policies led to the creation of numerous government agencies focused on economic recovery, modernization, public works, and education.

Question 3

Which of the following does not accurately describe changes in the US economy in the late 80s and the 90s?

Accepted Answer

The US did not experience its lowest poverty rate in 100 years. The late 80s and the 90s were a time when most families had to supplement their income with extra jobs to maintain their standards of living.

Question 4

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle was an unflinching portrayal of:

Accepted Answer

Upton Sinclair's The Jungle detailed the internal operations of the meatpacking industry and used it as a foil to discuss a larger theme of unregulated business and the exploitation of immigrants. It is the story of Lithuanian emigrants who are conned and cheated into losing everything they have, including their hope, as they try to achieve the American dream. However, details throughout the book about the unregulated meatpacking industry drew far more attention than the personal plight of the immigrants, and it is the facet of the book for which people remember it today.

Question 5

The term "Manifest Destiny" was used to describe which 19th century American ideal?

Accepted Answer

"Manifest Destiny" was a slogan for the idea that America was destined to spread across the continent and settle the expanse. The idea later evolved into a more general ideological notion that persists in American political rhetoric today - that America is destined to lead the democratic world and spread democracy across the globe.

Question 6

The Rhodes scholarship allows students to study at which university?

Accepted Answer

Founded by Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes scholarship enables students to do post-graduate work at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Recipients may work on a Master's degree, second Bachelor's degree or other relevant post-graduate research. It is widely considered the most prestigious scholarship in the world.

Question 7

During Apartheid, what was the primary goal of the African National Congress?

Accepted Answer

The primary goal of the ANC during Apartheid was to establish one person, one vote. South Africa held elections during Apartheid, but only white people were allowed to vote in them.

Question 8

In 1997, the United Kingdom transferred the sovereignty of which city-state to the People's Republic of China?

Accepted Answer

In 1997, the British ceded control of Hong Kong, ending 156 years of colonial rule. Hong Kong became a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. Due to the mixed influences of the United Kingdom and China, Hong Kong is often described as having an "East meets West" culture that has many Western qualities uncharacteristic of other Asian cities.

Question 9

Which activity is a topological map best suited for?

Accepted Answer

A topological map is best suited for determining a mountain's height. A topological map uses contours to show relative height and is specifically designed to show terrain.

Question 10

Which factor contributed to the flourishing of the Renaissance in Northern Italy?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a wealthy elite that supported the arts contributed to the flourishing of the Renaissance in Northern Italy. The de Medici family is particularly known for supporting great artists.

Question 11

The majority of the existing Great Wall of China was constructed during which dynasty?

Accepted Answer

The majority of the existing Great Wall of China was built during the Ming Dynasty, more than a millennium after work on the Wall began. The first fortifications that ultimately became the foundation for the Great Wall were constructed in the 5th century BC. Through time, portions of the wall have been rebuilt. Significant reconstruction took place during the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, and the majority of that work remains intact.

Question 12

In July 2011, Sudan, the largest country in Africa at the time, split into two nations. The majority of the country remained Sudan. What name did the seceding faction take?

Accepted Answer

On July 9, 2011, the southern region of Sudan became an independent state named The Republic of South Sudan. Since the 1950s, Sudan has been trapped in a cycle of civil war and intense internal strife, which has left the area impoverished, ravaged by disease, and underdeveloped. In 2003, in the Darfur region, 2.5 million displaced Sudanese began falling victim to ethnic cleansing and genocide, allegedly under the direct order of the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir. The Darfur conflict sparked an international outpouring of support for the Darfur refugees and brought media attention to the cause. In 2008 and 2010, al-Bashir was charged by the International Criminal Court with war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The intense media attention also contributed to the opportunity for the southern region to declare independence in 2011.

Question 13

NATO carried out air strikes against which former Soviet region in March 1999?

Accepted Answer

The 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia focused on the disputed region of Kosovo, which was occupied by Serbian forces who were responsible for ethnic cleansing and other war crimes against Muslims and ethnic Albanians. When member states of the United Nations wavered on strikes against the offending regime of Slobodan Miloševi?, NATO undertook the task, with the United States at the helm. Within three months, Yugoslav leaders agreed to a peace plan and bombing stopped; Miloševi? was ultimately jailed in The Hague for war crimes.

Quiz 5: GED: Social Sciences