International Relations EOC Sample Items

Read the sentences from the speech.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century there was not a mile of steam railroad on the globe. Now there are enough miles to make its circuit many times. Then there was not a line of electric telegraph; now we have vast mileage traversing all lands and all seas.

What does the word traversing mean?

• falling over

• steering around

• going across

• circling through

What does McKinley hope to accomplish by repeating the ideas in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the speech?

• He hopes the audience will understand that steamships will eventually be replaced with other means of transportation for manufacturers to compete in a world economy.

• He hopes the audience will understand the need to build a canal, which would allow more ships to carry goods to strengthen commerce.

• He hopes the audience will understand that ships are the fastest way to carry various goods to different markets.

• He hopes the audience will understand that shipping lines should be changed so that ships from other countries will be able to carry goods to buyers.

Read the sentence from the speech: "Expositions are the timekeepers of progress."

What is meant by the phrase “the timekeepers of progress”?

• Expositions allow inventors and artists to show their work to the world.

• Cities that host expositions are more advanced than other cities.

• National leaders who attend expositions are better prepared for future challenges.

• Expositions showcase the most-recent innovations in science and industry.

What is a central idea of the speech?

• Nations that adopt technology usually avoid conflict.

• Nations become successful by importing more goods than they export.

• Nations are connected through advancements in technology.

• Nations that share updates on commerce have greater political divisions.

Which sentence from the speech best supports the central idea?

• They stimulate the energy, enterprise, and intellect of the people and quicken human genius.

• Modern inventions have brought into close relation widely separated peoples, and made them better acquainted.

• The same important news is read, though in different languages, the same day [throughout the world].

• A policy of good will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals.

Which sentence from the speech best supports the inference that McKinley felt the exposition at which he was speaking would inspire progress for many years to come?

• They open mighty storehouses of information to the student.

• The wisdom and energy of all the nations are none too great for the world’s work.

• In the furtherance of these objects of national interest and concern, you are performing an important part.

• These buildings will disappear, this creation of art and beauty and industry will perish from sight, but their influence will remain.