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Sample Questions in U.S. history
GRADE 4
GRADE 8
GRADE 12

Test Yourself...then see how students responded to the same questions on NAEP. The constructed-response question on this page measured analysis and interpretation skills for the historical theme of World Role. Students were asked to identify a factor that led to U.S. involvement in the Korean War and explain its significance. Student responses were scored according to a 3-point scale as "Complete," "Partial," or "Inappropriate." The sample response below is an example of a "Complete" response.

Overall, 14 percent of twelfth-graders' responses were rated "Complete. When only the students at the Proficient level are considered, 54 percent of responses were scored as "Complete."

Grade 12 constructed-response question. National percentage "complete" in 2006. 14% of all students responses were rated "complete." By achievement level: 2% of students Below Basic were scored as "complete"; 16% of students at Basic were scored as "complete." 54% of students at Proficient were scored as "complete." Reporting standards at Advanced were not met. Sample size was insufficient to permit a reliable estimate. The sample constructed-response question is as follows: Identify a significant factor that led to United States involvement in the Koren War. The following is an example of a "complete" response. The student responded: A significant factor that led the US into the Korean War was the fear of the domino effect and the spread of communism. Question: Explain why this factor was significant. The student responded: Communism and socialism economically threatened the laissez-faire capitalist economic system of the United States.

See more about this question in the NAEP Questions Tool.

View this question, at score 355, on a map of NAEP U.S. history items.

Find out what the U.S. history assessment measures.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2006 U.S. History Assessment.

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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