Fast Track GED

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​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ELqO0f3_E

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Passage: The New Deal and Government Responsibility
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In response to the Great Depression of the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced a series of programs and reforms known collectively as the New Deal. These policies aimed to provide immediate relief to suffering Americans, spur economic recovery, and reform the financial system to prevent future depressions. The New Deal marked a turning point in the role of the federal government in American life.​

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Before the New Deal, many Americans believed that government should have a limited role in the economy. However, the widespread unemployment and poverty of the Depression made that belief difficult to maintain. Through programs such as Social Security, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the government began directly providing jobs and financial assistance to citizens. These programs changed public expectations, with many Americans coming to view the federal government as a necessary force for economic stability and social welfare.​

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Though not without its critics, the New Deal set a precedent for future government intervention during economic crises. It reshaped the relationship between citizens and the government, with long-lasting effects that are still felt in public policy today.​

Multiple Choice

1. What is the central idea of the passage?

• The New Deal created more problems than it solved

• The Great Depression led to a brief increase in government spending.

• The New Deal changed the role of the federal government in American society.

• The Civilian Conservation Corps was the most successful New Deal program.

Multiple Choice

What can be inferred about Americans' view of the government after the New Deal?

• They no longer trusted the government.

• They expected the government to stay out of economic affairs.

• They saw the government as responsible for ensuring economic stability.

• They preferred local governments to handle national problems.

Multiple Choice

Why did support for limited government decrease during the Great Depression?

• Why did support for limited government decrease during the Great Depression?

• Because the New Deal reduced unemployment immediately.

• Because economic hardship made people turn to the government for help.

• Because President Roosevelt promised a balanced budget.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an inference about the long-term effects of the New Deal?

• Government programs were all eliminated after the 1930s.

• The New Deal permanently increased public expectations for government help.

• Americans no longer believe in economic freedom.

• The Depression ended because of the New Deal alone.

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ezpevO-pvM

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📘 Passage: The Civil Rights Movement

After World War II, African American veterans returned home expecting greater freedoms and equality. However, they faced continued segregation and discrimination, particularly in the South. In 1954, the Supreme Court issued its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision energized the growing Civil Rights Movement.

In 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest organized by civil rights leaders, including a young Martin Luther King Jr. The success of the boycott helped launch King into national prominence.

Throughout the 1960s, the movement gained momentum. Peaceful protests, marches, and acts of civil disobedience brought national attention to the injustice of segregation. The March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, was a defining moment. These efforts contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed segregation and protected the right to vote.

Multiple Choice

Which event happened first?

• Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama.

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives the “I Have a Dream” speech

• The Supreme Court rules on Brown v. Board of Education.

• Congress passes the Voting Rights Act.

Multiple Choice

What was the cause of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• The March on Washington

• Martin Luther King Jr.'s rise to leadership

• The arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her bus seat

• The passage of the Civil Rights Act

Multiple Choice

What was one effect of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

• The Voting Rights Act was passed.

• Martin Luther King Jr. became a national civil rights leader.

• Rosa Parks was elected to Congress.

• The Supreme Court reversed the Brown v. Board decision.

Multiple Choice

Which event directly led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

• The March on Washington

• World War II

• The Voting Rights Act

• Rosa Parks' court case

Multiple Choice

Put the following events in chronological order:

1. March on Washington

2. Rosa Parks is arrested

3. Voting Rights Act is passed

4. Brown v. Board of Education decision

• 2, 1, 4, 3

• 4, 2, 1, 3

• 4, 3, 2, 1

• 1, 2, 3, 4

​https://www.flocabulary.com/unit/symbolism/video/

​📘 Passage: Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence (1776)

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase “unalienable Rights” most likely mean in this passage?

• Rights that can be voted away by the majority

• Rights that belong only to people born in the U.S.

• Rights that cannot be taken away

• Rights that are given by the government

Multiple Choice

What does “consent of the governed” suggest about the role of citizens in government?

• Governments have power only because citizens allow it.

• Governments should rule without interference.

• Citizens should follow government laws without question.

• Only educated people should be allowed to vote

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the phrase “pursuit of Happiness” in this context?

• The guarantee of wealth and property

• The right to live in any state

• The freedom to seek a fulfilling and meaningful life

• The requirement to obey all laws

Multiple Choice

What is the symbolic meaning of the phrase “created equal” in this historical context?

• That everyone is identical in ability

• That only men have rights

• That all people deserve equal treatment under the law

• That everyone must earn their rights

​https://esaadia.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/7/1/37717333/global_aim_1_summary_lesson.pdf

Multiple Choice

Passage:

A political candidate argues, “Our schools are failing because teachers are not held accountable. If we fire the bottom 10% of teachers every year, test scores will rise dramatically.”

Critics point out that this approach ignores the impact of poverty and funding inequality on student performance.

Question:
Which of the following best evaluates the reasoning in the candidate’s argument?

• The candidate provides strong evidence linking teacher performance and student test scores.

• The argument oversimplifies a complex issue by ignoring other major contributing factors.

• The argument shows a well-balanced understanding of the challenges in education.

• The candidate correctly identifies the only cause of low test scores.

Multiple Choice

Passage:

A report claims that increasing the minimum wage leads to job loss. To support this, it references a study from 1992 involving fast-food restaurants in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Question:
What is the best way to evaluate the evidence used in this claim?

• Check if the study is recent and if its findings have been replicated in newer studies.

• Accept the report's conclusion without question.

• Determine if the fast-food industry is profitable.

• Ask employees how they feel about the minimum wage.

Multiple Choice

📘 Passage 1:

The bill to expand funding for public libraries received bipartisan support in Congress. Lawmakers from both major parties agreed that increasing access to educational resources benefits all communities, regardless of political affiliation.

Question 1:
What does the term bipartisan support imply about how the bill was received?

• The bill was received positively by both major parties.
• The bill was rejected by both major parties.
• Only one party supported the bill.
• The bill was ignored by Congress altogether.

Multiple Choice

Passage 2:

The news outlet claims to provide nonpartisan analysis of economic policy, aiming to report facts without promoting a particular political agenda.

Question 2:
Which of the following best describes the tone the outlet is trying to project?

• Biased and subjective
• Neutral and objective
• Emotional and persuasive
• Dismissive and critical

Multiple Choice

Passage 3:

The senator’s speech was highly partisan, criticizing every policy proposed by the opposing party while praising her own party’s leadership.

Question 3:
How would you best describe the senator’s approach?

• Partisan
• Supportive
• Bipartisan
• Neutral

​https://wiregrass.libguides.com/c.php?g=1050271&p=7635112

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIjvnN8bFDw

Multiple Choice

📘 Passage:

In a monarchy, a king or queen holds power, which is often inherited. In contrast, a democracy is a system where citizens have the power to vote and influence laws. Authoritarian governments concentrate power in one leader or a small group, limiting citizens’ political freedoms.

Question 1:
Which type of government gives the most power to the people?

• Democracy
• Oligarchy
• Monarchy
• Theocracy

Multiple Choice

📘 Passage:

The First Amendment protects freedoms such as speech, religion, press, and assembly. The Fourth Amendment guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. These rights limit the power of the government and protect individuals.

Question 2:
Which statement best explains the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• To protect individual freedoms and limit government power.
• To eliminate all forms of assembly and protest.
• To grant the government more power over citizens.
• To establish a national religion and promote it.

Multiple Choice

Which right is protected by the First Amendment?

• Freedom of speech
• Right to privacy
• Right to a fair trial
• Right to bear arms

Multiple Choice

Passage:

The U.S. Constitution divides the federal government into three branches. The legislative branch makes laws (Congress), the executive branch enforces laws (President), and the judicial branch interprets laws (Supreme Court). This system of checks and balances prevents any one branch from gaining too much power.

Question 4:
What is the primary role of the legislative branch?

• Advises the President
• Enforces laws
• Makes laws
• Interprets laws

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F266vrMZZmE

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgjDPa15NLs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaibJd-I5bo

Multiple Choice

Passage:

European powers like Spain, France, and England colonized different regions of North America in the 1500s and 1600s. Spain focused on the Southwest and Florida, France on the Mississippi River and Canada, and England on the Atlantic coast. Native populations were often displaced, enslaved, or killed due to conflict and disease.

Question 1:
What was one major consequence of European colonization for Native Americans?

• Cultural exchange between Europeans and Native Americans.
• Increased trade opportunities for Native Americans.
• Formation of alliances between Native tribes and European powers.
• Displacement and death of Native populations.

Multiple Choice

Passage:

The American Revolution was fueled by colonists’ frustration over taxation without representation. After winning independence, the U.S. created a Constitution to build a stronger federal government, replacing the weaker Articles of Confederation. George Washington served as the first president under this new government.

Question 2:
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• The Articles allowed for a strong executive branch.
• The federal government could regulate trade between states.
• The federal government had no power to tax.
• The government had the power to draft soldiers.

Multiple Choice

Passage:

The Civil War (1861–1865) was caused by tensions over slavery, states’ rights, and the balance of power. After the Union victory, the Reconstruction era attempted to reunite the nation and extend civil rights to formerly enslaved people. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and protected voting rights.

Question 3:
What was the main purpose of the 13th Amendment?

• To abolish slavery.
• To grant voting rights to women.
• To establish a national bank.
• To promote industrialization in the South.

Multiple Choice

Passage:

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s aimed to end racial segregation and ensure equal rights. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. used nonviolent protest. Landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped end discrimination and protect African Americans' voting rights.

Question 5:
Which method did many civil rights activists use to bring attention to injustice?

• Social media campaigns
• Legal battles in court
• Violent protests
• Nonviolent protest

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24i4ncHuf6A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8cr70J5Ses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaooGZs9IQ8

Multiple Choice

Passage:

World War I was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in 1914. The war was fought mainly in Europe between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers. New technologies like machine guns and chemical weapons caused massive casualties. The United States joined the war in 1917, helping to tip the balance. The Treaty of Versailles officially ended the war in 1919, placing heavy blame on Germany.

Question 1:
Why did the United States enter World War I?

• The United States entered World War I to help tip the balance in favor of the Allied Powers.
• To retaliate against Germany for previous conflicts.
• To support the Central Powers against the Allies.
• To gain territory in Europe.

Multiple Choice

📘 Passage:

World War II began when Germany invaded Poland in 1939. The Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) fought against the Allies (U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and others). The U.S. entered the war after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The war ended in 1945 after Germany surrendered and the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Question 3:
What event caused the U.S. to enter World War II?

• The signing of the Treaty of Versailles
• Germany's invasion of France
• Italy's declaration of war on Greece
• Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor

Multiple Choice

Passage:

After World War II, tensions grew between the United States and the Soviet Union, leading to the Cold War. The two superpowers competed for global influence without direct military conflict. Events like the Cuban Missile Crisis and the arms race fueled fears of nuclear war. The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Question 6:
What was the main reason for tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War?

• Economic competition for resources
• Cultural exchanges and diplomacy
• Competition for global influence and differing ideologies.
• Military alliances with other nations

​https://wiregrass.libguides.com/c.php?g=1050271&p=7635117

Multiple Choice

Passage:

When the price of gasoline rises, many consumers look for more fuel-efficient cars. As demand for fuel-efficient cars increases, the price of those cars tends to rise as well.

Question 1:
What economic principle is illustrated in the passage?

• Supply and demand
• Consumer surplus
• Price elasticity
• Market equilibrium

Multiple Choice

Passage:

Sarah has $50 and can either buy a concert ticket or a new pair of shoes. She chooses the concert ticket. The shoes are the opportunity cost of her decision.

Question 2:
What does "opportunity cost" mean?

• The cost of the concert ticket itself.
• The total amount of money Sarah has.
• The price of the shoes she didn't buy.
• The value of the next best alternative that is forgone when making a decision.

Multiple Choice

assage:

The U.S. government passed a stimulus package during an economic downturn to encourage spending and create jobs.

Question 3:
What role is the government playing in this example?

• Raising interest rates

• Reducing Trade

• Stimulating Economic Growth

• Limiting consumer choice

Multiple Choice

Passage:

In a command economy, the government makes most economic decisions. In a market economy, businesses and consumers decide what to produce, buy, and sell based on supply and demand.

Question 4:
Which statement best describes a market economy?

• B. Business decisions are controlled by government planners
• A. The government sets all prices
• D. All goods are shared equally
• C. Consumers and businesses make most decisions

Multiple Choice

Passage:

Inflation occurs when the prices of goods and services rise over time. As a result, consumers can buy less with the same amount of money.

Question 5:
How does inflation affect consumers?

• C. Their money buys less than before
• A. They get more goods for their money
• B. Prices stay the same
• D. Wages always increase at the same rate

Geography and the World

https://wiregrass.libguides.com/c.php?g=1050271&p=7635117

Multiple Choice

Question 1:
Which geographic feature most likely helped cities like St. Louis and Memphis grow in the 1800s?

• A. Proximity to mountains
• C. Access to deserts
• D. Closeness to the Pacific Ocean
• B. Location along the Mississippi River

Multiple Choice

Passage:

The Andes Mountains influence the climate and agriculture of western South America. Terraced farming is used in these regions to adapt to the steep terrain.

Question 2:
What does this passage describe?

• A. Human-environment interaction
• E. Environmental degradation
• F. Economic development
• G. Population growth

Multiple Choice

Passage:

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest contributes to climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by trees. This issue affects not only South America but the global climate as well.

Question 4:
Why is deforestation in the Amazon a global concern?

• B. It affects climate and biodiversity worldwide
• C. It makes farming easier
• A. It reduces trade in wood products
• D. It creates more land for homes

Multiple Choice

If you are traveling from Atlanta to Dallas, which direction are you mostly heading?

• C. Southwest
• Northeast
• Southeast
• Northwest

Multiple Choice

Passage:

Immigration has helped shape the culture of the United States, with people bringing languages, traditions, and foods from many regions of the world.

Question 6:
What is this passage an example of?

• A. Economic growth
• B. Cultural diffusion
• C. Environmental conservation
• D. Social stratification