8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Review #1

Front

In which court case was the U.S. principle of judicial review established?

Back

Marbury v. Madison

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court decision for Marbury v. Madison established Judicial Review.

Front

Boston, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California, are geographically similar in that they BOTH —

Back

are located on a coast

Answer explanation

Boston, Massachusetts is located on the Atlantic coast. San Francisco, California is located on the Pacific coast.

Front

What is the significance of the Pilgrims’ arrival in America?

Back

It led to an early attempt at self-government in the English colonies.

Answer explanation

On their journey to the New World, the Pilgrim's created and signed the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact is the one of the first documents that implemented self-government in the new English Colonies.

Front

What was the issue in Worcester v. Georgia?

Back

The sovereignty of the Cherokee nation

Answer explanation

In Worcester v. Georgia, Samuel Worcester was fighting for the sovereignty of the Cherokee Nation because Georgia was attempting to enforce laws on a Native American nation. The U.S. had already established the fact that the Cherokee had a right to govern themselves because of treaties with them before 1832.

Front

Which statement BEST describes the importance of the Battle of Vicksburg?

Back

The Confederacy lost control of the Mississippi River.

Answer explanation

The Battle of Vicksburg is also known as the Siege of Vicksburg. Vicksburg is located on the Mississippi River. This city was important to the Confederacy because it was the center for transportation of goods and people. During this battle, the North was able to capture the city and take control of the Mississippi River.

Front

The Great Compromise addressed disagreements over federal representation by —

Back

creating a bicameral legislature

Answer explanation

The Great Compromise created the bicameral Legislative system, which is the House of Representatives and Senate.

Front

Which constitutional issue contributed to sectional conflict before the Civil War? Options: Disagreement over the boundaries of the Oregon Territory, Growing support for limiting female suffrage and immigration, The limits on free speech and press included in the Alien and Sedition Acts, Debate over the expansion of slavery into the West

Back

Debate over the expansion of slavery into the West

Answer explanation

Many of the issues prior to the Civil War dealt with the issue of slavery, including: The Compromise of 1850, the Dred Scott Decision, and the Election of 1860, just to name a few.

Front

Which situation violates the Eighth Amendment protections regarding criminal punishment? A protester is jailed for violent acts at a political rally. A person is sentenced to life in prison for shoplifting. A person is sentenced to ten years imprisonment for assault and robbery. A judge orders that an accused person be jailed until bail is paid.

Back

A person is sentenced to life in prison for shoplifting.

Answer explanation

The Eighth Amendment protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment for a crime.

Front

How did the American colonies react to enforcement of the Intolerable Acts?

Back

By holding the First Continental Congress to discuss unified resistance

Answer explanation

The colonists were tired of the British Parliament and the laws they were passing for the colonies. After the Intolerable Acts, they convened in the First Continental Congress to show unity, and come to a unanimous decision on their approach to Britain.

Front

An immigrant sails to North America in the early 1700s hoping to start a tobacco farm. He has done some research on the best environment for tobacco farming. Where is the immigrant most likely to settle?

Back

Virginia

Answer explanation

The Southern Colonies, which includes Virginia, have the best environment for tobacco farming because of their fertile soil and long growing seasons. It could not be Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Pennsylvania because their environments would not support tobacco farming.