2017 Released STAAR social studies test

• Life

• Liberty

• Pursuit of happiness

This list includes rights that are considered —

• Transferable

• Legislated

• unalienable

• inherited

How did mercantilist policies create tension between Great Britain and the colonies?

• By introducing indentured servitude to the middle colonies

• By requiring colonists to enlist in the military

• By limiting the amount of farmland each colonist could have

• By preventing colonists from trading with most other foreign countries

Which factor encouraged more immigrants to settle in northern states than southern states during the mid-nineteenth century?

• Northern states had lower population densities.

• Citizenship requirements in southern states were not as strict.

• Southern states had smaller industrial sectors.

• Governments in northern states were less corrupt.

Which sentence completes this diagram?

• People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves.

• Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflicted.

• Warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established.

• A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial.

The completion of the Erie Canal played a key role in which development?

• New York City becoming a vital commercial center with the country’s busiest seaport

• New Orleans becoming a leader in manufacturing and overseas trade

• Washington, D.C., becoming the cultural and political center of the nation

• Boston becoming one of the country’s largest transportation hubs

Which sentence best completes this diagram?

• Cities grew rapidly.

• Demand for artisans increased.

• Farms experienced a shortage of labor.

• Government regulation of factories increased.

The Whiskey Rebellion challenged the idea that —

• the federal government had the power to pass and enforce tax laws

• a national military was needed for dealing with foreign threats

• the federal government could raise tariffs to protect industries

• a national court system was needed for resolving disputes between states

Why did the Siege of Vicksburg affect the balance of power during the Civil War?

• Several important Confederate generals were killed.

• Union troops were pushed back across the Ohio River.

• The Confederate territory was divided in half.

• Severe casualties were inflicted on Union forces.

The colonies in this list were founded primarily to offer settlers a greater degree of —

• freedom from debts

• religious freedom

• economic freedom

• freedom of speech

Which argument would a Federalist make to support ratification of the Constitution?

• The Constitution will enable states to nullify laws that are harmful to citizens.

• A strong federal government will be more stable than a loose confederation of states.

• The Constitution will allow states to establish banks to stabilize the national economy.

• A republican system of government will better represent large states.