GED Social Studies Practice Test 2: Data Interpretation and Civic Literacy
GED Social Studies Practice Test 2: Data Interpretation and Civic Literacy. Prepare for your GED exam with our GED Social Studies Practice Test 2, focusing on data interpretation and civic literacy. Download free printable practice questions and answers to enhance your understanding and test-taking skills.
Use these resources to deepen your knowledge of data analysis and civic concepts, boosting your confidence for the 2024 GED exam. Our practice test will help you excel in data interpretation and civic literacy, increasing your chances of achieving a high score.
Data interpretation and civic literacy are integral to the GED Social Studies test. This section assesses your ability to analyze and interpret data in various formats, including charts, graphs, tables, and maps. It also evaluates your understanding of civic principles, government structures, and the responsibilities of citizens.
Data interpretation involves making sense of numerical and graphical information to draw meaningful conclusions. Civic literacy encompasses knowledge of historical documents, the workings of government, and citizens’ roles and responsibilities. These skills are vital for making informed decisions and engaging in civic activities.
General Educational Development
Test Subject: Social Studies
Test Type: Sample Questions and Answers
Total Questions: 40
Time Duration: N/A
1) Questions are based on the following passage.
The governor is empowered to veto single items of the budget bill, appending to each a message, and to return the same to the legislature if it is still in session. Such items can be enacted over his veto. This authority, not possessed by the president of the United States, lays a heavy responsibility on the governor for the integrity of the budget in all its parts.
All bills passed within the last ten days of a legislative session fall under what is called the “30-day” rule. None can become a law unless within 30 days (Sundays included) it has been signed by the governor.
The veto power is not used sparingly. More than one out of four bills falls to the deadly stroke of the executive pen.
The passage indicates that the governor
2) Questions are based on the following passage.
The governor is empowered to veto single items of the budget bill, appending to each a message, and to return the same to the legislature if it is still in session. Such items can be enacted over his veto. This authority, not possessed by the president of the United States, lays a heavy responsibility on the governor for the integrity of the budget in all its parts.
All bills passed within the last ten days of a legislative session fall under what is called the “30-day” rule. None can become a law unless within 30 days (Sundays included) it has been signed by the governor.
The veto power is not used sparingly. More than one out of four bills falls to the deadly stroke of the executive pen.
The “30-day” rule applies to
3) Questions are based on the following passage.
The governor is empowered to veto single items of the budget bill, appending to each a message, and to return the same to the legislature if it is still in session. Such items can be enacted over his veto. This authority, not possessed by the president of the United States, lays a heavy responsibility on the governor for the integrity of the budget in all its parts.
All bills passed within the last ten days of a legislative session fall under what is called the “30-day” rule. None can become a law unless within 30 days (Sundays included) it has been signed by the governor.
The veto power is not used sparingly. More than one out of four bills falls to the deadly stroke of the executive pen.
The governor’s veto power is greater than that of the president in that the governor has the ability to
4) Questions are based on the following passage.
The consumer’s first line of defense is information. Before you buy any product— especially before you make a major purchase of any kind—get all the information you can about the manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty provisions. Remember, a guarantee is a statement by the manufacturer or vendor that he stands behind his product or service. Guarantees and warranties usually have limitations or conditions, so get all promises in writing.
Before you buy any product or service covered by a guarantee or warranty, make sure you resolve these questions
—What, exactly, is covered?
—Whom should you call when you need repairs under the warranty?
—Must repairs be made at the factory or by an “authorized service representative” to keep the warranty in effect?
—Who pays for parts, for labor, for shipping charges?
—How long does the warranty last?
—If pro rata reimbursement is provided, what is the basis for it?
—If the warranty provides for reimbursement, is it in cash or credit toward a replacement?
Keep the warranty and sales receipt for future reference.
The advice given to the consumer in this passage deals chiefly with
5) Questions are based on the following passage.
The consumer’s first line of defense is information. Before you buy any product— especially before you make a major purchase of any kind—get all the information you can about the manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty provisions. Remember, a guarantee is a statement by the manufacturer or vendor that he stands behind his product or service. Guarantees and warranties usually have limitations or conditions, so get all promises in writing.
Before you buy any product or service covered by a guarantee or warranty, make sure you resolve these questions
—What, exactly, is covered?
—Whom should you call when you need repairs under the warranty?
—Must repairs be made at the factory or by an “authorized service representative” to keep the warranty in effect?
—Who pays for parts, for labor, for shipping charges?
—How long does the warranty last?
—If pro rata reimbursement is provided, what is the basis for it?
—If the warranty provides for reimbursement, is it in cash or credit toward a replacement?
Keep the warranty and sales receipt for future reference.
Guarantees and warranties, the passage implies, should be
6) Questions are based on the following passage.
The consumer’s first line of defense is information. Before you buy any product— especially before you make a major purchase of any kind—get all the information you can about the manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty provisions. Remember, a guarantee is a statement by the manufacturer or vendor that he stands behind his product or service. Guarantees and warranties usually have limitations or conditions, so get all promises in writing.
Before you buy any product or service covered by a guarantee or warranty, make sure you resolve these questions
—What, exactly, is covered?
—Whom should you call when you need repairs under the warranty?
—Must repairs be made at the factory or by an “authorized service representative” to keep the warranty in effect?
—Who pays for parts, for labor, for shipping charges?
—How long does the warranty last?
—If pro rata reimbursement is provided, what is the basis for it?
—If the warranty provides for reimbursement, is it in cash or credit toward a replacement?
Keep the warranty and sales receipt for future reference.
Warranties usually include all of the following EXCEPT
7) Questions are based on the following chart.
Which situation will be most likely to occur after the period shown in the graph?
8) Questions are based on the following chart.
Which factor would most likely reverse the direction of the trend indicated by the graph?
9) Government policies designed to foster economic growth by encouraging greater consumption would probably meet with the greatest opposition from which group?
10) Questions are based on the following cartoon.
What is the main idea of the cartoon?
11) Questions are based on the following cartoon.
In dealing with the situation referred to in the cartoon during the late 1970s, the United States federal government generally followed a policy that
12) The presidents of the United States from the time of World War II to the present have been most influential in the area of
13) Questions are based on the following passage.
Not all place names on maps refer to visible locations. When a name refers to a specific place, it can be easy to get a mental picture of it. When you see a name such as Arctic Circle, Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, or Tropic of Capricorn, you do not get a mental picture in the same way. These imaginary markers on the Earth’s surface usually appear on maps as dotted blue lines. When you travel across one of them, you cannot detect it with the human eye or feel it against your skin.
The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are named after constellations of stars. Historians believe that ancient Roman geographers were the first to refer to these two imaginary lines as Cancer and Capricorn.
The Tropic of Cancer runs parallel to the equator at latitude 23°27'N. It marks the northernmost point at which the sun appears directly overhead at noon. The name refers to the constellation Cancer (the Crab), which first becomes visible in the Northern Hemisphere on June 20, 21, or 22, near the summer solstice.
The Tropic of Capricorn runs parallel to the equator at about latitude 23°27'S. It designates the southernmost point at which the sun appears directly overhead at noon. The name refers to the constellation Capricorn (the Goat), which first becomes visible in the Southern Hemisphere on December 21 or 22, near the winter solstice.
The Arctic and Antarctic Circles are
14) Questions are based on the following passage.
Not all place names on maps refer to visible locations. When a name refers to a specific place, it can be easy to get a mental picture of it. When you see a name such as Arctic Circle, Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, or Tropic of Capricorn, you do not get a mental picture in the same way. These imaginary markers on the Earth’s surface usually appear on maps as dotted blue lines. When you travel across one of them, you cannot detect it with the human eye or feel it against your skin.
The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are named after constellations of stars. Historians believe that ancient Roman geographers were the first to refer to these two imaginary lines as Cancer and Capricorn.
The Tropic of Cancer runs parallel to the equator at latitude 23°27'N. It marks the northernmost point at which the sun appears directly overhead at noon. The name refers to the constellation Cancer (the Crab), which first becomes visible in the Northern Hemisphere on June 20, 21, or 22, near the summer solstice.
The Tropic of Capricorn runs parallel to the equator at about latitude 23°27'S. It designates the southernmost point at which the sun appears directly overhead at noon. The name refers to the constellation Capricorn (the Goat), which first becomes visible in the Southern Hemisphere on December 21 or 22, near the winter solstice.
The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are similar in that they
15) Questions are based on the following passage.
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate— we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. —Abraham Lincoln
In the first paragraph, the speaker refers to
16) Questions are based on the following passage.
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate— we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. —Abraham Lincoln
The purpose of the speech was to
17) Questions are based on the following chart, which lists some characteristics of Nations A and B.
Which economic decision would most probably be in the best interests of Nation A?
18) Questions are based on the following chart, which lists some characteristics of Nations A and B.
During the early 19th century, which nation most nearly resembled Nation A?
19) Questions are based on the following chart, which lists some characteristics of Nations A and B.
If Nation B wishes to industrialize, how can it best encourage its own citizens to invest their capital in domestic industries?
20) “Our policy in regard to Europe . . . is not to
interfere in the internal concerns of any of its
powers”—President Monroe, 1823
It must be the policy of the United States
to support free peoples who are resisting
attempted subjugation by armed minorities
or by outside pressures.”—President
Truman, 1947
The most valid conclusion to be drawn from these statements is that
21) Questions are based on the following graphs.
The period with the greatest increase in the percentage of working women having children under 6 and living with their husbands was
22) Questions are based on the following graphs.
The percentage of women working part time remained steadiest between
23) This Question is based on the following graph.
Which area, as illustrated in the graph, would be warmest and driest?
Select an answerA) AB) BC) CD) DE) E
24) This Question is based on the following diagram.
Which is occurring in the economy illustrated above?
25) “All forms of life developed from earlier forms.
In every case the fittest survived and the weak
died out. It is the same for people and nations.
This passage expresses a view most often found in
Select an answerA) fundamentalismB) social DarwinismC) liberalismD) utopian socialismE) egalitarianism
26) Questions are based on the following table.
From 1992 to 2001, the median family income (before taxes) has
27) Questions are based on the following table.
The debt as a percentage of total family assets probably declined between 1998 and 2001 because
28) Questions are based on the following table.
According to the table, the following declined every year except one:
29) Questions are based on the following passage
We must pursue a course designed not merely to reduce the number of delinquents. We must increase the chances for young people to lead productive lives.
For these delinquent and potentially delinquent youth, we must offer a New Start. We must insure that the special resources and skills essential for their treatment and rehabilitation are available. Because many of these young men and women live in broken families, burdened with financial and psychological problems, a successful rehabilitation program must include family counseling, vocational guidance, education and health services. lt must strengthen the family and the schools. lt must offer courts an alternative to placing young delinquents in penal institutions.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
The emphasis in this speech is on
30) Questions are based on the following passage
We must pursue a course designed not merely to reduce the number of delinquents. We must increase the chances for young people to lead productive lives.
For these delinquent and potentially delinquent youth, we must offer a New Start. We must insure that the special resources and skills essential for their treatment and rehabilitation are available. Because many of these young men and women live in broken families, burdened with financial and psychological problems, a successful rehabilitation program must include family counseling, vocational guidance, education and health services. lt must strengthen the family and the schools. lt must offer courts an alternative to placing young delinquents in penal institutions.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
The main purpose of this speech is to
31) Questions are based on the following passage
We must pursue a course designed not merely to reduce the number of delinquents. We must increase the chances for young people to lead productive lives.
For these delinquent and potentially delinquent youth, we must offer a New Start. We must insure that the special resources and skills essential for their treatment and rehabilitation are available. Because many of these young men and women live in broken families, burdened with financial and psychological problems, a successful rehabilitation program must include family counseling, vocational guidance, education and health services. lt must strengthen the family and the schools. lt must offer courts an alternative to placing young delinquents in penal institutions.
—Lyndon B. Johnson
The passage implies that
32) Questions are based on the following photograph.
The purpose of this photograph is to show
33) Questions are based on the following photograph.
The photograph was probably taken
34) This Question is based on the following graph
Which generalization is supported by the information provided by the graph?
35) Next Three Questions are based on the following graph:
What is expected to be the leading source of energy in the world in 2040?
36) Next Three Questions are based on the following graph:
Which category would include hydroelectric power and other renewable sources of energy?
37) Next Three Questions are based on the following graph:
Consumption of which energy source is expected to grow most rapidly over the period shown on the graph?
38) The next Questions are based on the following timeline:
Which action regarding voting happened as a result of the civil rights movement?
39) The next Questions are based on the following timeline:
Which group received voting rights most recently?
40) The next Questions are based on the following timeline:
Which of the following shows the correct order in which the groups received voting rights?
Identify Trends: Look for patterns or changes in the data over time.
Compare Data Points: Examine differences or similarities between various data points.
Understand Scales and Units: Be aware of the units of measurement and scales used in graphs and charts.
Analyze Context: Consider the context in which the data is presented to understand its relevance and implications.
Civic Literacy
Civic literacy involves:
Understanding Government Structures: Know the branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial) and their functions.
Recognizing Key Historical Documents: Be familiar with documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Appreciating Citizen Responsibilities: Understand citizens’ rights and duties, including voting, obeying laws, and participating in civic life.
Evaluating Civic Issues: Be able to analyze and form opinions on contemporary civic issues based on informed reasoning.
Practice Questions with Detailed Explanations
Data Interpretation Example
Bar Graph: Unemployment Rates by Year
Imagine a bar graph with the following data:
Year
Unemployment Rate (%)
2010
9.6
2011
9.0
2012
8.1
2013
7.4
2014
6.2
2015
5.3
2016
4.9
Each bar represents a year from 2010 to 2016, with the height of each bar corresponding to the unemployment rate for that year.
Practice Question 1: Based on the bar graph, which year experienced the highest unemployment rate?
(A) 2010
(B) 2012
(C) 2014
(D) 2016
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (A) 2010. By examining the bar graph, you can see that the bar for 2010 is the tallest, indicating the highest unemployment rate compared to other years.
Which year saw the most significant decrease in the unemployment rate compared to the previous year?
(A) 2011
(B) 2013
(C) 2014
(D) 2015
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (C) 2014. The unemployment rate decreased from 7.4% in 2013 to 6.2% in 2014, a significant drop compared to changes in other years.
Tips for Answering Data Interpretation Questions:
Read the Title and Labels: Ensure you understand the graph or chart.
Identify Trends: Look for patterns, such as increases or decreases over time.
Compare Data Points: Check for significant changes between specific years or categories.
Use Precise Numbers: Pay attention to the exact values provided for accuracy.
Context Matters: Consider what the data represents and why it might be significant.
Civic Literacy Example
Excerpt from the U.S. Constitution:
“We, the People of the United States, to form a perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.”
Practice Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution?
(A) To outline the powers of the executive branch
(B) To introduce the goals and purposes of the government
(C) To list the rights of individual citizens
(D) To establish the process for amending the Constitution
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (B) To introduce the goals and purposes of the government. The preamble sets forth the foundational goals and purposes for which the Constitution was established, such as forming a more perfect union and ensuring justice and tranquility.
Tips and Strategies for Answering Questions
Data Interpretation Tips
Read Carefully: Take your time to read the titles, labels, and legends of charts and graphs.
Note Trends: Look for upward or downward trends, peaks, and troughs.
Compare and Contrast: Pay attention to differences and similarities in data points.
Use Units: Make sure to consider the units of measurement and scales.
Contextualize: Think about the broader context and what the data represents.
Civic Literacy Tips
Familiarize Yourself with Key Documents: Study critical historical documents and their significance.
Understand Government Functions: Learn about the roles and responsibilities of different government branches and officials.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities: Be aware of the rights guaranteed to citizens and their expected duties.
Stay Informed: Keep up with current events and understand how they relate to civic principles.
Additional Practice Questions
Practice Question 3: Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for making laws?
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (B) Legislative. The legislative branch, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, makes laws.
Practice Question 4: In which type of government do citizens elect representatives to make decisions?
(A) Direct Democracy
(B) Monarchy
(C) Representative Democracy
(D) Oligarchy
Answer and Explanation: The correct answer is (C) Representative Democracy. In a representative democracy, citizens elect officials to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf.
