STAAR US History Questions: 1990s - 21st Century (Updated)

Which event prompted this speech by President Bush?

• The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

• The attack on the USS Cole.

• The mail-bombing campaign of the Unabomber.

• The bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City.

The main reason the United States launched military operations in Afghanistan in October 2001 was to —

• Prevent genocide

• Seize weapons of mass destruction

• Destroy an international terrorist organization

• Overthrow an absolute monarchy

One reason the 2008 presidential election was historically significant is that it was the first time —

• Traditionally Republican states voted Democratic.

• Voters used computerized ballots.

• An African American won the presidency.

• A Southerner won the vice-presidency,

Which factor contributed most to the flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina?

• The location of the surrounding barrier islands.

• The city’s low elevation.

• The presence of offshore oil rigs.

• The buildup of silt in the Mississippi.

Which challenges prompted New York City to take these actions?

• Increasing threats to large urban areas by foreign and domestic terrorism.

• A widening gap in income levels between socioeconomic groups in society.

• Escalating costs of providing health care and social services for senior citizens.

• Aging infrastructure and pollution caused by high population density.

The changes shown in these photographs most likely —

• Helped improve workplace safety.

• Increased the supply of natural resources.

• Altered the makeup of natural ecosystems.

• Helped decrease energy consumption.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the government may not take private property unless —

• The land requires extensive restoration.

• The government determines that the land is critical to developers’ profits.

• The landowner refuses to build a home on the land.

• The government pays the owner fair compensation for the land.

How have these principles most affected U.S. markets?

• By stimulating consumer demand for products.

• By making business transactions costlier.

• By causing shortages of essential materials.

• By discouraging coordination among producers.

Which of the following is most responsible for the differences shown on the table?

• Robert L. Johnson’s creation of a major television network

• Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web

• Jeff Bezos’ founding of Amazon.com

• Michael Dell’s use of just-in-time manufacturing

What role did the Supreme Court play in this declaration?

• The court ruled Florida’s use of butterfly ballots violated the Equal Protection Clause.

• The court ruled on the constitutionality of the vote recount in Florida.

• The court determined that campaign contributions are forms of free speech.

• The court ruled that requiring literacy tests to vote was unconstitutional.