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Test Yourself: Grade 12

Grade 12 Sample Questions page graphic

The following questions were included in the 2006 NAEP civics assessment at grade 12. As in the actual assessment, some of the questions are multiple choice, and others are constructed response. Although students are asked to handwrite their responses, you can type yours in the space provided.

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions below, then click submit at the bottom of the page.

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Question 1: The following question refers to the poster below, which was produced by a government agency during the Second World War.

This black and white poster is titled "Save Freedom of Worship." The next line is superimposed over the side perspective of people who appear to praying: "Each according to the dictates of his own conscience." The bottom of the poster has the artist's name, Norman Rockwell, and the statement "Buy war bonds."

From the poster you can tell that

A.

there was little support for the Second World War in the United States

B.

the government wanted Americans to be part of the war effort

C.

average American citizens knew little about the Second World War

D.

the government was afraid to ask the people for help in the war effort

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Question 2: The following question is about the graph below.

The chart is labelled "political party of identification, 1940-1994." The y-axis labelled "percent of registered voters." The x-axis is labelled with the following years: 1940, 1950, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994. The source is The Gallup Organization and the key has a black box labelled "Democrat," a striped box labelled "Republican," and a white box labelled Independent. The information bars on the chart is the following. In 1940, 20% of registered voters were Independent, 38% were Republican, and 42% were Democrat. In 1950, 22% of registered voters were Independent, 33% were Republican, and 45% were Democrat. In 1960, 23% of registered voters were Independent, 30% were Republican, and 47% were Democrat. In 1964, 22% of registerd voters were Independent, 25% were Republican, and 53% were Democrat. In 1968, 27% of registered voters were Independent, 27% were Republican, and 46% were Democrat. In 1972, 29% of registered voters were Independent, 28% were Republican, and 43% were Democrat. In 1974, 33% of registered voters were Independent, 24% were Republican, and 44% were Democrat. In 1976, 30% of registered voters were Independent, 23% were Republican, and 47% were Democrat. In 1978, 29% of registered voters were Independent, 23% were Republican, and 48% were Democrat. In 1980, 30% of registerd voters were Independent, 24% were Republican, and 46% were Democrat. In 1982, 29% of registered voters were Independent, 26% were Republican, and 45% were Democrat. In 1984, 29% of registered voters were Independent, 31% were Republican, and 40% were Democrat. In 1986, 30% of registered voters were Independent 30% were Republican, and 40% were Democrat. In 1988, 28% of registered voters were Independent, 30% were Republican, and 42% were Democrat. In 1990, 30% of registered voters were Independent, 31% were Republican, and 39% were Democrat. In 1992, 33% of registered voters were Independent, 29% were Republican, and 38% were Democrat. In 1994, 37% of registered voters were Independent, 29% were Republican, and 34% were Democrat.

What is the main trend over time shown in the bar graph?

Give one explanation for why this trend has occurred.

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Question 3: The following question is about federalism.

Federalism: A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people.

Which fact about American government reflects the above definition of federalism?

A.

Power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

B.

Private organizations in the United States do much of the work that is
performed by local governments in other countries.

C.

Citizens in the United States are subject to both state and federal laws.

D.

Citizens in the United States have a right to protection from intrusion
into their private affairs.

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Question 4:

Grade 12 Extended Constructed-Response question. National percentage "complete" in 2006. 12% of all student responses were rated "complete." By achievement level 3% of students Below Basic were scored as "complete." 12% of students at Basic were scored as "complete." 21% of students at Proficient were scored as "complete." 38% of students at Advanced were scored as "complete." A line graph is shown with the title: "Median Earnings Over Time Women vs. Men." The graphic lists median earnings on the y-axis and median income on the x-axis. The following approximate data are shown on the graph: 1965: Women $4,000, men $8,000; 1970: $5,000, men $9,000; 1975: $7,000, men $13,000; 1980: $11,000, men $18,000; 1985: $15,000, men $24,000; 1990: $17,000, men $26,000. What does the graph above tell you about the earnings of men versus women? The student responded: "While median earnings for both increase at about the same rate, men start out earning more and so are always making more than women." What are two reasons that explain the relationship between men's and women's earnings as shown in the graph? The student responded to 1: "The belief that men are superior to women." The student responded to 2: "For a while women could only get menial, low-paying jobs."

What does the graph above tell you about the earnings of men versus women?

What are two reasons that explain the relationship between men's and women's earnings as shown in the graph?

1)

2)

 

 Click here to submit your responses.

 

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National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics
National Assessment Governing Board
Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education