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8th grade SS Practice STAAR Questions

Last updated almost 3 years ago

30 questions

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Question 1

1.

Read each question carefully. Determine the best answer to the question from the four answer choices provided. Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

This list includes rights that are considered —

unalienable

inherited

legislated

transferable

Question 2

2.

Which factor encouraged more immigrants to settle in northern states than southern states during the mid-nineteenth century?

Northern states had lower population densities.

Southern states had smaller industrial sectors.

Citizenship requirements in southern states were not as strict.

Governments in northern states were less corrupt.

Question 3

3.

Which sentence completes this diagram?

Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflicted.

A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial.

People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves.

Warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established.

Question 4

4.

Which sentence best completes this diagram?

Demand for artisans increased.

Government regulation of factories increased.

Farms experienced a shortage of labor.

Cities grew rapidly.

Question 5

5.

The Whiskey Rebellion challenged the idea that —

a national military was needed for dealing with foreign threats

a national court system was needed for resolving disputes between states

the federal government had the power to pass and enforce tax laws

the federal government could raise tariffs to protect industries

Question 6

6.

The colonies in this list were founded primarily to offer settlers a greater degree of —

freedom from debts

religious freedom

economic freedom

freedom of speech

Question 7

7.

Which argument would a Federalist make to support ratification of the Constitution?

A strong federal government will be more stable than a loose confederation of states.

A republican system of government will better represent large states.

The Constitution will allow states to establish banks to stabilize the national economy.

The Constitution will enable states to nullify laws that are harmful to citizens.

Question 8

8.

In this excerpt, President Hayes proposes a change in federal policy toward American Indians. Legislation based on this new policy did which of the following?

Forced white settlers to leave reservation lands

Promoted individual land ownership among American Indians

Ended federal oversight of tribal governments

Granted American Indians the right to attend public schools

Question 9

9.

One environmental consequence of the large-scale cultivation of cotton in the South was —

air pollution caused by the use of cotton gins

widespread soil exhaustion caused by decades of farming

drought caused by overuse of river water to irrigate farmland

widespread water contamination caused by fertilizer runoff

Question 10

10.

John Hancock was one of the Founding Fathers committed to liberty. How did he demonstrate this commitment?

By organizing Committees of Correspondence

By signing the Declaration of Independence

By writing the Articles of Confederation

By serving as commander in chief of the Continental army

Question 11

11.

What was the result of the events shown on the map above?

General Grant and General Lee combined forces.

General Lee’s troops received necessary reinforcements.

General Grant’s supply lines were completely cut off.

General Lee surrendered to General Grant.

Question 12

12.

One result of the trend shown in this table was the —

expansion of available labor

creation of specialized trade guilds

decrease in educational opportunities for women

increase in production costs for manufacturers

Question 13

13.

Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War?

The British victory extended the fighting for another year.

The American victory convinced France to ally with the United States.

The American defeat led many soldiers to desert the Continental army.

The British defeat marked the beginning of a steady decline in British military superiority.

Question 14

14.

What assurance did this argument give to those who opposed ratifying the Constitution?

Giving greater power to the federal government would allow it to assist states in times of crisis.

The amendment process would allow state governments to nullify federal law.

The rights of citizens would be better protected by having both federal and state levels of government.

Making the federal government superior to state governments would ensure greater stability.

Question 15

15.

Which numbered area did the United States acquire in 1846 after negotiations with Great Britain?

Question 16

16.

Which of the following is the source of this statement on foreign policy?

The Federalist Papers

The Monroe Doctrine

Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address

George Washington’s Farewell Address

Question 17

17.

Which of the following best completes this list?

Provided funds for farming supplies

Established schools

Granted small-business loans

Certified applications for political office

Question 18

18.

Which of these directly resulted from the event announced in this headline?

The federal government allowed the expansion of slavery into all new western territories.

The abolitionist movement gained momentum in the North.

Abolitionists moved to the South to avoid living under the new law.

Members of the U.S. Senate sought to end Black Codes in the southern states.

Question 19

19.

The names on this map best reflect which of the following?

The impact of American Indian culture on southwestern states

Family names of early pioneers in the West

The influence of Spanish colonial heritage on the United States

Religious beliefs brought by immigrants to the United States

Question 20

20.

Which numbered state did the United States acquire from Spain in 1819?

1

4

2

3

Question 21

21.

What was the primary reason Parliament passed these acts?

To promote the growth of cottage industries in the colonies

To fund the establishment of new colonies

To encourage foreign trade with the colonies

To recover the cost of defending the colonies

Question 22

22.

This painting shows artist Thomas Nast’s interpretation of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant, which ended the Civil War.

Where did the events shown in this painting occur?

The Governor’s mansion in Richmond, Virginia

The U.S. Capitol building

A public church near Ford’s Theatre

A private home in Appomattox County, Virginia

Question 23

23.

The statistics in this table illustrate population changes associated with —

the rise of industrialism in the United States

a lengthy war over disputed territory

the establishment of a federal income tax

a prolonged food shortage in the United States

Question 24

24.

The theme represented in this painting is most associated with —

the nineteenth-century industrial boom

the works of artists from the Hudson River School

books and songs supporting the nativist movement

the nineteenth-century temperance movement

Question 25

25.

This political cartoon comments on events that occurred during the —

Reconstruction era

Second Great Awakening

War of 1812

Age of Jackson

Question 26

26.

This leader inspired followers of the abolitionist movement by —

writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin

becoming the first African American senator

organizing the Underground Railroad

publishing the anti-slavery newspaper The North Star

Question 27

27.

Which of the following best completes this illustration?

Mercantile System

Federalism

Republicanism

Free Enterprise System

Question 28

28.

How did President Lincoln succeed in permanently abolishing the practice represented by the tree in this cartoon?

By promoting the passage and ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment

By helping abolitionists fund the Underground Railroad

By encouraging an armed rebellion of slaves in the South

By ordering the use of popular sovereignty to decide the issue of slavery

Question 29

29.

Which diagram correctly compares two regions of the United States during the mid-nineteenth century?

Question 30

30.

Why did Congress honor this woman by putting her on a coin?

Because she designed the nation’s first flag

Because she was the first woman elected to Congress

Because she was an influential First Lady

Because she fought for women’s suffrage