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8th Grade Social Studies STAAR

Total questions: 80

Worksheet time: 2hrs 59mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which country set up New Amsterdam a.k.a New York as a harbor for trading and profit.
a)
Spain
b)
France
c)
Netherlands
d)
England
2.
Which country got along with Natives, christianized and traded beaver furs for profit.
a)
France
b)
Netherlands
c)
Spain
d)
England
3.
The famous document signed on a ship that became the first example of self-government was the
a)
Magna Carta
b)
U.S. Constitution
c)
Mayflower Compact
d)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
4.
The colony that was established for helping debtors and criminals have a fresh start.
a)
Georgia
b)
Connecticut
c)
Rhode Island
d)
Massachusetts
5.
The colony that was established as a safe haven for Catholics was
a)
Connecticut
b)
Maryland
c)
Massachusetts
d)
Rhode Island
6.
The colony that was established by William Penn as a place where Quakers could practice their religion.
a)
Rhode Island
b)
Connecticut
c)
Pennsylvania
d)
Maryland
7.

The Middle Passage was

a)

Route that transported slaves from Africa to America

b)

Route that transported rum and molasses from Caribbean to Africa

c)

Route that transported manufactured goods from Europe to America

d)

Route that transported materials from colonial America to Africa

8.
Plantation agriculture was possible in the Southern Colonies because the ____.
a)
Atlantic coastal plain provided flat and fertile land for farming
b)
short growing season supported a variety of crops
c)
mountains protected crops from severe weather
d)
the American Indians provided a steady supply of labor
9.
Which of the following might have been a headline from a newspaper dated 1607?
a)
Christopher Columbus sails to North America
b)
Quakers bring
c)
Virginia Company searches for wealth in Jamestown
d)
Pilgrims seek religious freedom in Pennsylvania
10.
The Middle colonies were known for their -
a)
religious tolerance
b)
happy natures
c)
cash crops
d)
unusual hats
11.
Which colonial region based their economy on shipbuilding, lumber, fishing, and manufacturing?
a)
New England
b)
Middle
c)
Eastern coastal southern
d)
Western, mountainous Southern
12.

How did geography influence the early economic development of New York, Boston, and Charleston?

a)

Long coastlines offered abundant natural resources.

b)

Proximity to flooding rivers limited development.

c)

Natural harbors provided access to markets.

d)

Extreme climates limited productive activity.

13.
What was the 1st Representative assembly in North American colonies called?
a)
Virginia House of Burgesses
b)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
c)
Bill of Rights
d)
U S Constitution
14.
I have been working for many years to pay off my trip to North America.  After I work off my debt, I am free.  I am an _______.
a)
indentured servant
b)
slave
c)
merchant
15.
*Sugar Act
*Quartering Act
*Stamp Act
These acts contributed to the start of the Revolutionary War by...
a)
Restricting colonial trade with American Indians
b)
Imposing regulations on colonial agriculture.
c)
Angering colonists who believed that their civil liberties had been violated.
d)
Punishing colonists for resisting the authority of Parliament. 
16.
British colonists objected to the Proclamation of 1763 because they...
a)
Feared it would provoke attacks from American Indians.
b)
Did not want to share control of the fur trade with France.
c)
Resented the limits it imposed on Westward Expansion.
d)
Wanted to be able to trade freely with foreign nations. 
17.
What was one result of the Treaty of Paris of 1783?
a)
Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent country.
b)
Competing Seminole and Spanish claims in West Florida were resolved.
c)
The British navy agreed to stop pressing American sailors into service.
d)
British territory in eastern Canada was ceded to France.
18.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..."
Declaration of Independence, 1776
This excerpt refers to the rights that people - 
a)
earn by demonstrating loyalty to their government. 
b)
receive by becoming citizens of a country.
c)
have as a result of being human.
d)
are granted after enlistment in the military.
19.
In 1787, Congress awarded John Paul Jones the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his "valor and brilliant services" during the Revolutionary War. Which accomplishment was Congress recognizing?
a)
Leading the evacuation of Washington, D.C., during the British Invasion
b)
Preparing the strategy for the American Victory at Yorktown
c)
Persuading France to provide military assistance to the Continental Army
d)
Commanding a victory at sea against the British navy
20.
The American colonists used the slogan, "No taxation without representation," to express their belief in the need for - 
a)
economic interdependence 
b)
the consent of the governed
c)
mercantilism
d)
Parliamentary supremacy 
21.
What individual arrived from France and aided George Washington and the Continental Army?
a)
Bernardo de Galvez
b)
Marquis de Lafayette
c)
De la Salle
d)
James Armistead 
22.
"Common Sense" was written so that the common man, or the American Colonists, would support the Declaration of Independence. Who was the author?
a)
Thomas Jefferson
b)
Thomas Paine
c)
Patrick Henry
d)
George Washington 
23.
Which action by the colonists could be categorized as an act of Civil Disobedience?
a)
Colonists throwing British Tea into Boston Harbor
b)
Placing restrictions on trade with Spain and France
c)
Paying the stamp tax to British tax collectors
d)
firing guns at British soldiers at Lexington and Concord, Mass.
24.
The principles of government that Thomas Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence were most influenced by...
a)
John Locke's Social Contract Theory
b)
Cotton Mather's sermons of religion
c)
King George's belief in divine right
d)
William Penn's views on religious toleration
25.
What event put Britain in debt, so they decided to tax the colonies to pay off this debt?
a)
French & Indian War
b)
American Revolution
c)
War of 1812
d)
French Revolution 
26.
Who was the first American to be shot and killed by British soldiers in the Boston Massacre?
a)
Crispus Attucks
b)
Bernardo de Galvez
c)
Marquis de Lafayette
d)
Haym Salomon
27.
1st shots of the American Revolution - Start of the Revolutionary War. “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” 
a)
Lexington & Concord, MA
b)
Saratoga, NY
c)
Valley Forge, PA
d)
Yorktown, VA
28.
Turning point battle b/c this victory convinces France to join forces with the Continental Army. 
a)
Lexington & Concord
b)
Saratoga
c)
Valley Forge
d)
Yorktown
29.
General Washington and his men experienced cold and harsh conditions. Marquis de Lafayette joins Washington to train the army. Washington promotes loyalty and reads, “These are the times that try men’s souls” by Thomas Paine. 
a)
Lexington & Concord
b)
Saratoga
c)
Valley Forge
d)
Yorktown
30.
Last major battle of the American Revolution. Washington, with the help of the French, corner British General Cornwallis to surrender. 
a)
Yorktown
b)
Saratoga
c)
Valley Forge
d)
Battle of Trenton
31.
African American slave who acted as a spy. 
a)
James Armistead
b)
Haym Salomon
c)
Bernardo de Galvez
d)
Dred Scott
32.
Led Spanish armies against the British in the American Revolution Kept the British from taking the Mississippi River. 
a)
Haym Slomon
b)
Crispus Attucks
c)
John Paul Jones
d)
Bernardo de Galvez
33.
What document was the first constitution of the United States?
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Mayflower Compact
c)
Northwest Ordinance 
d)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 
34.
What event made people realize that the Articles of Confederation needed to be changed?
a)
Whiskey Rebellion
b)
Shays' Rebellion
c)
Boston Massacre
d)
French and Indian War 
35.
Who is considered to be the father of the Constitution?
a)
James Madison
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
Ben Franklin
d)
George Washington
36.
Where and when was the Constitution written?
a)
Philadelphia, 1776
b)
New York City, 1783
c)
Philadelphia, 1787
d)
Washington, DC, 1803 
37.
Which plan called for representation to be based on population and was favored by the large states?
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
House of Representatives Plan
d)
Senate Plan 
38.
Which plan called for representations in the legislature to be equal for all the states and was favored by the small states?
a)
New Jersey Plan
b)
Virginia Plan
c)
Great Compromise
d)
Three-Fifths Compromise 
39.
What is the name of the agreement that created a bicameral legislature with the lower house being based on population and with the upper with each state having the same number of representatives? 
a)
Great Compromise
b)
Three-Fifths Compromise
c)
Virginia Compromise
d)
New Jersey Compromise 
40.
What settled the dispute of how slaves would be counted for the purpose of representation and taxation?
a)
Three Fifth Compromise
b)
Great Compromise
c)
Compromise of 1850
d)
Missouri Compromise 
41.
This group supported the Constitution as it was written and wrote papers defending it
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists 
42.
This group did not support the Constitution because they felt that too much power was being given to the central government?
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists 
43.
What are the two houses of the legislative branch called?
a)
House of Representatives and Senate
b)
Congress and Senate
c)
House of Senate and Congress of Representatives
d)
Senate Chamber and Delegate Rotunda 
44.
Which group serves for life?
a)
Supreme Court Justice
b)
President
c)
Senator 
d)
Representative 
45.
Which term best matches the idea that government is not all powerful?
a)
limited government
b)
federalism
c)
separation of powers
d)
strict interpretation 
46.
Which term describes the sharing of powers between the national and state governments?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Federalism
c)
Checks and Balances
d)
Limited Government 
47.
What term means the idea citizens elect people to represent them in government?
a)
Republicanism
b)
Federalism
c)
Checks and Balances
d)
limited government 
48.
What are the first ten amendments called?
a)
Bill of rights
b)
Bill of attainder
c)
Bill of writs
d)
bill of federalism 
49.
The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights heavily influenced what provision in the US Constitution?
a)
separation of power
b)
congressional approval of all taxes
c)
executive authority over taxation
d)
equal congressional representation
50.
What was the importance of the Northwest Ordinance?
a)
The process of how new territories become states.
b)
A treaty made with Native Americans 
c)
Allowed all people to vote 
d)
Gave African Americans their freedom
51.
* Voting
*Serving on jury duty
*Staying informed
All of these are apart of your________________
a)
Civic Virtue
b)
Civil Disobedience 
c)
Civic Responsibilities 
d)
Civil Rights 
52.
How can the Constitution be amended? 
a)
2/3 Votes in both houses 
b)
3/4 Votes in the Senate
c)
3/4 State Legislatures 
53.
Congress passes a bill---the president vetoes the bill---Congress overrides the veto
Which principle of government is shown above?
a)
judicial review
b)
checks and balances
c)
popular sovereignty
d)
federalism
54.

-unreasonable searches and seizures are illegal

-search warrants may not be issued without probable cause

-the place to be searched and the people or items to be seized must be described in a warrant


Which amendment provides for the protections described in this list?

a)

amendment 1

b)

amendment 4

c)

amendment 5

d)

amendment 10

55.

Which sentence completes the eighth amendment: excessive fines cannot be imposed or given; excessive bail cannot be required; _____

a)

people cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves

b)

cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflicted

c)

warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established

d)

a defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial

56.

file an application --> be interviewed --> take language and civics tests --> take oath of allegiance


This shows some of the steps in becoming a:

a)

registered voter in the US

b)

member of the US armed forces

c)

candidate for elected office in the US

d)

naturalized US citizen

57.
Which document FIRST brought for the idea of limited government?
a)
English Bill of Rights
b)
Mayflower Compact
c)
Olive Branch Petition
d)
Magna Carta
58.
Why did the framers allow a process for amending the constitution?
a)
To adjust with changing times
b)
To forbid amending
c)
To allow states to have more power
d)
To allow for congress to have total power 
59.
A system of checks and balances was built into the Constitution to prevent...
a)
states from passing laws that duplicate federal laws
b)
individual states from deciding to leave the Union.
c)
any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
d)
the federal government from spending more money than it collects in taxes.
60.
The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people
a)
Limited Government
b)
Popular Sovereignty
c)
Republicanism
d)
Separation of Powers
61.

In Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court first stated that principle that -

a)

only the courts may regulate interstate commerce

b)

the president may veto federal legislation

c)

the courts may declare a federal law unconstitutional

d)

only the president may issue an executive order

62.

The first political parties in the United States were established in the 1790s largely because of political differences between -

a)

John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

b)

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Paine

c)

George Washington and James Madison

d)

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

63.

According to Alexander Hamilton, which action was necessary to ensure the stability of the nation's economy?

a)

The passage of a trade embargo against Great Britain

b)

The abolition of consumption taxes

c)

The creation of a trade alliance with France

d)

The establishment of a national bank

64.

The first political parties in the United States formed mainly in response to disagreements over -

a)

taxation without representation

b)

the doctrine of judicial review

c)

territorial expansion to the west

d)

the extent of federal power

65.

Which precedent was established by the Supreme Court ruling in Marbury v Madison?

a)

The federal government has the power to regulate trade among the states.

b)

State governments lack the authority to regulate federal bureaus

c)

Federal courts determine the constitutionality of a law

d)

State courts lack the authority to hear cases challenging federal law

66.

How did the War of 1812 affect the U.S. economy?

a)

The use of federal paper currency increased.

b)

Agricultural imports increased

c)

Imports of raw materials increased

d)

Manufacturing Increased

67.

The decision in Marbury v Madison was significant in U.S. History because it -

a)

reinforced federal authority over American Indian Affairs

b)

confirmed the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce

c)

established the practice of judicial review by the Supreme Court

d)

upheld the power of the Electoral College to choose the vice-president

68.

Which problem did George Washington encounter when he became president?

a)

Southern states were threatening to secede from the Union.

b)

The United States had large debts from the American Revolution

c)

Great Britain was refusing to trade with the United States

d)

The Articles of Confederation needed to be replaced with a stronger constitution.

69.
In President Washington's Farewell address, he warned the US not to do what?
a)
Form permanent alliances with other countries
b)
Form temporary alliances with other countries
c)
Allow a president to serve more than two terms of office
d)
Allow the south to have the nation's capital located there
70.
Which of the following was a defining characteristic of the Era of Good Feelings?
a)
The United States ceded territory to Great Britain in an attempt to avoid war.
b)
There was a renewed sense of nationalism.
c)
Evangelical revivalists challenged religious traditionalists.
d)
Many states called for a restructuring of the federal government.
71.
What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase?
a)
Doubled the size of the United States
b)
Finished the war between Spain and France
c)
Provided a place for the French to plant crops
d)
Tripled the size of the United States
72.
Which term describes the British policy of taking American sailors and forcing them to work on British ships? 
a)
impressment
b)
smuggling
c)
hijacking
d)
piracy
73.
What did the Embargo Act of 1807 do? 
a)
It prohibited Americans from exporting goods to Great Britain.
b)
It prohibited Americans from exporting goods to France.
c)
It prohibited Americans from exporting goods to European countries.
d)
It prohibited Americans from exporting goods to all foreign countries.
74.
Mass production led to:
a)
Products being more superior in quality
b)
goods became less expensive
c)
laborers received higher wages
d)
industries moved to rural areas
75.
Law that established the Federal Court System in the United States
a)
U.S. Constitution
b)
Judiciary Act of 1789
c)
Federal Court System Act
d)
Judicial Review
76.

Which type of economy is best described by these characteristics: limited government interference in business, prices determined by supply and demand, private owners receive the profits.

a)

subsistence farming

b)

free enterprise

c)

mercantilism

d)

socialism

77.

Which of these best summarizes the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

The immigration of Europeans to the United States must be discouraged.

b)

International peace can be maintained without complicated alliances.

c)

The power to nullify federal laws is necessary to preserve sovereignty.

d)

Further colonization of the Americas by European countries is prohibited

78.
What is a controversial legislation of President Adams' administration restricted citizens from criticizing the government?
a)
The Embargo Acts
b)
Alien and Sedition Acts
c)
The Monroe Doctrine
d)
The Judiciary Act
79.
A way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take
a)
Loose Constructionist
b)
Strict Constructionist
c)
National Debt
d)
Neutrality Proclamation 
80.
A way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take actions that the Constitution does not specifically forbid it from taking.
a)
Loose Constructionist
b)
Strict Constructionist
c)
National Debt
d)
Neutrality Proclamation 

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