This page shows questions in the Content CRs (No Student Responses) public release module at MSDE. American Government
"Content CRs (No Student Responses)"
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This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Study the political cartoon and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
- Describe one environmental issue illustrated in this cartoon.
- Explain how state and local policies may address this environmental issue.
- Include details and examples from the cartoon to support your answer.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Study the political cartoon and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
- Describe the issue illustrated in the cartoon.
- Explain a government action that would be most effective in addressing this issue.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines on your Answer Sheet.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
The controversy involving the blue crab and the crabbing industry demonstrates the conflict between environmental protection and economic development. Many environmentalists want to impose strict regulations on the crabbing industry, and many workers in the blue crab industry want to catch as many blue crabs as possible.
- Describe how this controversy demonstrates limited resources.
- Explain the costs and benefits of a policy that restricts catching blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay region.
- Include details and examples from the information to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines on your Answer Sheet.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 protects people with disabilities from discriminatory hiring practices and provides reasonable accommodations for them in the workplace.
- Describe how the ADA can affect businesses.
- Explain how the ADA promotes equity in American society.
- Include details and examples from the information to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines on your Answer Sheet.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
—Preamble to the United States Constitution
- Describe two principles of government contained in the Preamble.
- Explain how these principles are demonstrated in government today.
- Include details and examples from the information to support your answer.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
In 2001, the president signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which required that states that received federal money for education create grade-level tests to measure student achievement as part of a school accountability system. States had the option not to participate in this program. However, implementation of this program was a condition for states to receive federal funding.
- Describe how the concept of federalism applies to this situation.
- Should the states that chose not to create the tests lose all of their federal funding? Explain why or why not.
- Include details and examples from the information to support your answer.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Use your knowledge of government to answer the constructed-response question.
- Explain the role of political parties in the United States.
- Do political parties have too much or too little influence on government officials? Explain your answer.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council represents the governments of five neighboring counties. The Council oversees air and water quality programs and helps operate a regional rideshare program.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this type of regional cooperation.
- Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Explain why or why not.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
In 2002, the Maryland General Assembly voted to purchase undeveloped land on the Chesapeake Bay before a construction company could purchase it. The state plans to use the land as a park for recreational activities.
- Describe the opportunity costs and the benefits of the purchase.
- Is it appropriate for the state government to buy undeveloped land? Explain why or why not.
- Include details and examples from the excerpt to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
In December 2007 the U.S. unemployment rate was 5 percent. By June 2009 the U.S. unemployment rate was 9.5 percent.
- Describe the role of the Federal Reserve.
- Explain how the Federal Reserve could use monetary policy to address the economic changes described in this information.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the excerpt and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
Children's Television Programming
"[An educational program] must be a regularly scheduled, weekly program of at least 30 minutes, and aired between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The program must also be identified as educational and informational for children when it is aired. . . . Broadcasters will . . . air three hours per week of [educational] programming."
from an order issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1996
- Describe benefits of the FCC regulations outlined in the excerpt.
- Explain whether you consider these regulations to be a form of censorship or not.
- Include details and examples to support your response.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
The governor of Maryland is empowered to maintain order during state emergencies such as natural disasters or public rioting.
- Describe actions that the governor may take in these situations.
- Explain whether or not you think the governor should have these powers in emergencies.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
- Explain which rights this rule might violate.
- Should governments be permitted to restrict their employees from speaking to the press about their jobs? Explain why or why not.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
In a civil case, plaintiffs and defendants often reach out-of-court settlements instead of bringing a case to trial.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of an out-of-court settlement.
- Should judges and attorneys encourage out-of-court settlements? Explain why or why not.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Study the political cartoon and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
- Describe the viewpoint presented in the cartoon.
- Explain why election districts may be gerrymandered.
- Include details and examples from the cartoon to support your answer.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the quotation and use it to answer the constructed-response item.
"It usually takes a hundred years to make a law, and then after it has done its work, it usually takes a hundred years to get rid of it."
—Henry Ward Beecher
- Do you agree or disagree with this quote about the law-making process in the United States?
- How could the law-making process be improved? Explain your answer.
- Include details and examples to support your answer.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Read the information and use it to answer the constructed-response question.
In 2002, the United States Supreme Court ruled that cities may set guidelines for demonstrations in public parks.
Thomas et al. v. Chicago Park District
- Explain how the Supreme Court's decision in this case affects the protection of individual freedoms.
- Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?
- Use details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.