8th Grade Social Studies STAAR® Blitz

Fill in the blank: The colony of Pennsylvania was founded by _______ for religious freedom.

• A) Quakers

• B) Puritans

• C) Catholics

• D) Anglicans

Fill in the blank: Once the New World was discovered, explorers hunted for the ________, a water route through North America to Asia.

• Silk Road

• Northwest Passage

• Spice Route

• Atlantic Path

What was one of the main goals of European exploration?

• To find new art

• To discover new spices

• To expand their empire

• To learn new languages.

Fill in the blank: The fur trade was a significant source of income for ______ in North America.

• Spain

• France

• England

• Portugal

Fill in the blank: Spain's primary reason for colonization was to acquire _______.

• Land

• Gold

• Allies

• Knowledge

What natural feature helped New England colonists engage in trade?

• Deserts

• Mountains

• Natural harbors

• Plains

The abundance of trees in New England allowed colonists to engage in which industry?

• Mining

• Lumber milling

• Textile manufacturing

• Banking

The system of mercantilism required colonists to trade only with ________.

• France

• Spain

• Great Britain and other colonial regions

• The Netherlands

The colony of Rhode Island was started to escape religious persecution in which colony?

• Virginia

• Massachusetts

• New York

• Pennsylvania

What allowed the Mid-Atlantic colonies to have large farms?

• Good soil and a moderate growing season

• Advanced technology

• Abundant rainfall

• Government support