Social Studies Final Benchmark 2022

Based on the map, which regions of Texas have over one million people living there?

• Central Plains, Great Plains, and Coastal Plains

• Central Plains, Great Plains, and Mountains & Basins

• Great Plains, Coastal Plains, and Mountains & Basins

• Mountains & Basins, Central Plains, & Coastal Plains

Answer explanation

If you know your regions, and look at the legend, then you'll know the answer.

Which region of Texas includes the characteristics listed in the box?

• Great Plains

• Coastal Plains

• Central Plains

• Mountains & Basins

Answer explanation

If you know the location of Houston or any of the other cities, then you would know that the region is Coastal Plains.

The United States established a new government in 1776. Since it was a new form of government at that time, the new citizens wanted to describe how it would be organized. Which of these documents explains how the U.S. government is organized?

• U.S. Constitution

• Declaration of Independence

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Bill of Rights

Answer explanation

The U.S. Constitution separated our government into three different branches:

congress (legislative), president (executive), and courts (judicial).

Why are documents such as both the Texas Constitution and U.S. Constitution important?

• They can easily changed when leaders change.

• They teach us what life was like a long time ago.

• They provide a guide for making modern laws.

• They explain how Americans are supposed to act and think.

Which of the following best explains how American Indian tribes arrived to Texas?

• They crossed the Bering Strait from Asia and migrated southward over many years.

• They sailed from Asia around to the Gulf of Mexico and landed in Texas.

• They went from Alaska to Asia and then to Texas.

• They came from Mexico northward.

Answer explanation

Look at the map, it all starts in Asia and slowly, but surely the indigenous people made their way south.

Which of the following is the best title for the drawing?

• Daily Life for the Caddo

• Apache Children Hard at Work

• Summer Season for the Karankawa

• Adobe House Building by the Pueblo

Answer explanation

Caddos use to live in dome-shaped homes.

American Indian groups that lived along rivers adapted to the environment by-

• farming the land.

• using teepees for shelters.

• becoming strong swimmers.

• being skilled with bows & arrows.

How did the building of missions in Texas lead to environment changes?

• Forests were destroyed in order to build missions.

• Rivers near missions suffered the effects of pollution.

• Natural resources were used to construct the missions.

• Gold was mined in mountains located near the missions.

Answer explanation

An example of a mission. Did you know, that there are several missions in San Antonio?

A system of mission established by the Catholic Church was intended to -

• provide housing for explorers.

• relocate convicts to the region.

• assist in business development.

• convert natives to Chrisitianity.

Answer explanation

Native Americans were "suppose" to convert to Christianity.

Why did many Americans move to Texas after Mexico gained independence from Spain?

• Mexico promised colonists that one day they would be free.

• Mexico established a large army and navy to protect Texans.

• Mexico created a government like the one in the United States.

• Mexico attracted people to the are who were already Catholic.