STAAR Review 2

During World War I, a stalemate occurred on the Western Front when military forces developed the defensive strategy of -

• submarine warfare, which enabled troops to establish blockades

• trench warfare, which limited the success of offensive tactics

• smoke screening, which concealed soldiers entering "no man's land"

• aerial spotting, which allowed troops to observe enemy lines from above

Answer explanation

submarine warfare, smoke screening, and aerial spotting were all tactics used in the war, but were primarily offensive tactics. Make sure to read the question carefully.

Tanks were used during World War I to -

• create a stalemate on the Western Front

• break through the trenches on the Western Front

• counter the effects of airship attacks by Germany

• protect soldiers from chemical weapons

Answer explanation

"protect soldiers from chemical weapons by Germany" is the distracting answer. Although tanks provide soldiers great protection from bullets and explosives, tanks are not airtight. Therefore they would not protect from chemical weapons (which are primarily in gas form)

Alvin York received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his -

• courage and persistence as a Rough Rider

• technological improvements of military weapons

• bravery and leadership during World War I

• success in improving education for war veterans

Answer explanation

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a U.S. soldier can earn. It is synonymous with courage and bravery on the battlefield.

How much time do you have to take the STAAR Exam?

• 2 hours

• 3 hours

• 4 hours

• As much time as you need

Answer explanation

Take your time and do not rush. I will say it again: Take. Your. Time.

The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919 in order to -

• give women the right to vote

• give African American men the right to vote

• repeal Prohibition

• eliminate the consumption of alcohol

Answer explanation

"Ratify" means to sign into effect or make official. "Repeal" means to overturn or end. This question is worded this way to confuse students over the meaning of the two.

Which of the following contributed to the rise of nativism in the 1920s?

• Industrialization led to increased economic productivity

• Western expansion led to the growth of western cities

• Prohibition ended the legal sale of alcohol

• Immigration had greatly swelled the U.S. population

Answer explanation

All four answer choices are factually correct, but only one led to the practice of favoring native or indigenous inhabitants over immigrants (which is the definition of nativism).

The Teapot Dome scandal caused Americans to distrust the government because it revealed -

• corrupt federal ties to oil companies

• harmful environmental effects of energy drilling

• wasteful use of natural resources on public lands

• government violations of individual citizens' property rights

Answer explanation

Using the IDEA strategy, the words "scandal" and "government" in the question and "corrupt" in answer A make the most sense.

How might lower income tax rates for the middle class have contributed to the economic growth of the 1920s?

• By allowing government to invest more money in infrastructure

• By creating a real estate boom that grew housing prices

• By allowing individuals to spend more money on consumer goods

• By increasing the price of trade and luxury goods

Answer explanation

Lower income tax rate = more money in your pocket = you can buy more things = more money into the U.S. economy.

The Great Depression was characterized by -

• unemployment, soup kitchens, and bread lines

• rationing, mobilization, and wartime industries

• jazz, flappers, and stock speculation

• robber barons, railroads, and immigration

Answer explanation

Answer B better describes WWII

Answer C better describes the Roaring 20s

Answer D better describes the Gilded Age

Which New Deal agency provided benefits for elderly Americans?

• The Social Security Administration

• The Works Progress Administration

• The National Youth Administration

• The Farm Security Administration

Answer explanation

The Social Security Administration provides benefits to the elderly once they are at retirement age.