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This page shows questions in the SS8 2020 public release module at MSDE. 8th Grade Social Studies
"SS8 2020"

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Expand All Official Practice Test

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

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Multiple-choice question with one correct answer choice.

What effect did the invention of the cotton gin have on agriculture in the United States?

  1. A.
    It increased the demand for enslaved African Americans to harvest cotton.
  2. B.
    It allowed cotton to be grown in the North.
  3. C.
    It decreased the demand for cotton in foreign countries.
  4. D.
    It reduced the amount of land needed to grow cotton on plantations.

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Multiple-choice question with one correct answer choice.

Which of the following was an accomplishment of the construction of the Erie Canal?

  1. A.
    It increased the nation’s reliance on railroads to transport goods from the North to the South.
  2. B.
    It strengthened economic interactions between eastern cities and western farms.
  3. C.
    It increased the South’s advantage over the North in clothing and textile manufacturing.
  4. D.
    It helped improve agricultural production in eastern farms and western ranches.

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

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Multiple-choice question with one correct answer choice.

Which role did Harriet Tubman play in the abolitionist movement?

  1. A.
    conductor on the Underground Railroad
  2. B.
    author of the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin
  3. C.
    publisher of the North Star newspaper
  4. D.
    founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

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Multiple-choice question with one correct answer choice.

What factor led the United States into Civil War?

  1. A.
    the forced removal of American Indians to the West
  2. B.
    the expansion of slavery
  3. C.
    the inability to limit immigration
  4. D.
    the lack of regulation of overseas trade with Europe

This is a multiple choice question that allows you to select only one option.

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Multiple-choice question with one correct answer choice.

What was the goal of the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments?

  1. A.
    to gain support for American Indian land rights
  2. B.
    to argue for the release of enslaved African Americans
  3. C.
    to emphasize the need for women’s right to vote
  4. D.
    to bring awareness to the women’s temperance movement

This is a drag and drop question that allows you to select text and place it in an appropriate answer space.

Select three impacts of technological changes on the United States during the 1800s and drag them to the boxes in any order.

lower taxes increased migration decline of the factory system increase in national unity economic growth introduction of popular sovereignty increased travel time
Impacts of Technological Changes on the
United States during the 1800s

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Select three challenges that civilians faced during the Civil War.

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Select two outcomes of the War of 1812 and drag them to the boxes in any order.

rise of nationalism expansion of American industry emancipation of enslaved African Americans acquisition of territory in the Pacific purchase of the Louisiana Territory
Outcomes of the War of 1812

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Select two outcomes of the Whiskey Tax debate and drag them to the boxes in any order.

The debate led to sectional polarization in the United States. The National Bank was vetoed. The power of the Federalist Party increased. The debate led to rebellion. George Washington was elected president.
Outcomes of the Whiskey Tax Debate

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Select two impacts of the Proclamation of 1763 and drag them to the boxes in any order.

taxed paper products such as newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards reduced conflicts with American Indians forbade American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains required colonists to provide food and shelter for the British reduced colonial representation in Parliament
Impacts of the Proclamation of 1763

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Writing prompt. Additional information needed to answer the question is provided.

Use your knowledge of U.S. history to answer the constructed response question.

  • Identify the views expressed by large and small states at the Constitutional Convention about how to determine legislative representation.
  • Explain the impact that the Great Compromise had on the structure of the legislative branch.
  • Use details and examples to support your response.

Enter your answer in the space provided.

This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.

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Writing prompt. Additional information needed to answer the question is provided.

Use your knowledge of U.S. history to answer the constructed response question.

  • Identify two countries of origin for European immigrants to the United States in the 1800s.
  • Explain how nativism impacted the lives of these immigrants in the United States.
  • Use details and examples to support your response.

Enter your answer in the space provided.