Assessment Example

Part I: Modern World History Pre-test

(E)= Easy, (M)= Medium, (H)= Hard level questions
1. Which was most highly valued by European intellectuals of the Age of Enlightenment?
(E)
a.
obedience to traditional ways
b.
loyalty to ones nation
c.
*progress through the use of reason
d.
strengthening of religious institutions
2. Which statement best summarizes a major belief of the enlightenment Period in
European history?(E)
a.
No living creature should be killed.
b.
Every person is born to serve the state.
c.
*Individual achievement and dignity are of great importance.
d.
The scientific method poses a dangerous challenge to established
knowledge.
3. Which group expressed the most organized opposition to the scientific method during
the 16th and 17th centuries?(M)
a.
*clergy
b.
merchants
c.
peasants
d.
political leaders
4. Many of the ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau were associated with (H)
a.
the establishment of colonial empires be strong European nations
b.
*political reforms that ended the absolute monarch in France
c.
the beginnings of the Spanish Inquisition
d.
british Legislation that improved working conditions in factories.
5. ...Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be
founded only upon the general good
-Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the
Citizen, 1789
Which principle of the Enlightenment philosophers is expressed in this quotation from
the French Revolution? (H)
a.
*Natural Law
b.
Nationalism
c.
Free Trade
d.
Socialism
6. What was a major result of the French Revolution?(E)
a.
The King was restored to unlimited power.
b.
The clergy dominated government.

c.
d.

*The middle class gained political influence.

The tax burden was carried by the lower classes.

7. Which was a major reason that friction existed between Great Britain and its North
American Colonies during the pre-Revolutionary period?(M)
a.
severe economic depression in Great Britain and the COlonies led to
political upheavals in both areas.
b.
Ill feelings resulted from the industrialization of the Colonies.
c.
The british landed aristocracy refused to allow colonial farmers to buy
their own land.
d.
*British trade and monetary policies reduced colonial business
opportunities and profits.
8. In many Latin American nations, a major effect of colonial rule has been the (E)
a.
* concentration of power in a small group of landowners
b.
minor political role of the military
c.
equal distribution of wealth among social classes
d.
economic control held by the Indian population
9. The study of revolutions would most likely lead to the conclusion that prerevolutionary governments (M)
a.
are more concerned about human rights than the governments that replace
them are
b.
refuse to modernize their armed forces with advanced technology
c.
attempt to bring about the separation of government from religion
d.
*fail to meet the political and economic needs of their people
10. Which is the most accurate statement concerning the imperialism practiced by the
United States and European nations at the end of the 19th century? (E)
a. It sought mainly to obtain areas for the resettlement of overcrowded populations
b. It was carried out despite majority opposition in the home nations
c. It brought no changes or benefits to colonial areas
d. *It was promoted, in part, to seek raw materials for industries in the imperialistic
nations
11. The primary goal of the Indian National Congress (1885-1947) was to (H)
a.
reform the Hindu religion
b.
partition India between Muslims and Hindus
c.
create a socialistic economy
d.
*gain independence from Great Britain
12. A major reason for the proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine was the United States
desire to (M)
a.
force Latin American nations to cut their tariffs on the United States
exports
b.
*prevent Spain from regaining its former colonies in the Western
Hemisphere

c.
d.

weaken French influence in the Louisiana Territory

free Cuba from Spanish Rule

13.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated!

Germany Declares War on Russia and France!
Peace Treaty Signed at Versailles!
Which event is referred to in these headlines? (E)
a.
b.
c.
d.

Franco-Prussian War
Crimean War
* World War I
Cold War

14. During the early 1940s, in the United States aided the Soviet Union mainly in order
to (H)
a.
*strengthen Soviet resistance to Nazi Germany
b.
persuade Josef Stalin not to become an ally of japan
c.
encourage anti-Communist uprisings among the Russian people
d.
increase Soviet agricultural production
15. The Holocaust is an example of (E)
a.
conflict between political parties
b.
*violations of human rights
c.
limited technological development
d.
geographys influence on culture.
16. Which was a major result of the Vietnam War?(E)
a.
*North and South Vietnam were politically reunited.
b.
Relations between Vietnam and China declined significantly.
c.
The United States increased its political influence in Southeast Asia.
d.
Most Southeast Asian nations adopted a democratic form of government.
17. During the Cold War Era (1945-1991), the United States and the the Soviet Union
were reluctant to become involved in direct military conflict mainly because of (E)
a.
the peacekeeping role of the United Nations
b.
pressure from the nonaligned nations
c.
*the potential for global nuclear destruction
d.
increased tensions in the Middle east
18. During the 1960s and 1970s the primary reason for the United States involvement in
Southeast Asia was to (M)
a.
gain new markets for exports
b.
search for new sources of oil
c.
look for new colonies
d.
*stop the spread of communism
19. Globalization is defined as (E)
a.the fear of international terrorism

b.* the process of international integration from the interchange of world views,
products, ideas and other aspects of culture.
c. the domination of one culture on a global scale
d. the spread of ideas through one country
20. Which of the following is an example of the globalization of production? (H)
a. *Coca-Cola sells their soft drinks worldwide.
b.Hospitals outsource some radiology work to India.
c. Caterpillar and Komatsu both sell earthmoving equipment worldwide
d.Boeing sells jet planes to firms in Japan
Short Answer Question
What is imperialism? Give an example of an imperialistic country and explain why they
are one.
Extended Response Questions
1. What were the main ideas central to the Enlightenment movement? How have
these Enlightenment ideas paved the way for future democracies?
2.How did the United States become the only Superpower after the ColdWar? Explain
the historical events that led up to this outcome. Give at least 4 events.
Part II: Answer Key & Rubric
1.C)Progress through the use of reason. Is the correct answer because the Age of
Enlightenment is an era from the 1650s to the 1780s in which cultural and intellectual
forces in Western Europe emphasized reason, analysis, and individualism rather than
traditional lines of authority.
2.C) Individual achievement and dignity are of great importance Is the correct
answer because the Age of Enlightenment valued the use of reason above all, moreover,
reason employed by the individual.
3.A) Clergy This is the correct answer because during the 16th and 17th centuries the
clergy opposed the scientific method the most because they thought it was a direct threat
to the idea of God and a divine plan. This opposition to scientific methodology was
carried on from events such as the Spanish Inquisition in the late 1400s.
4.B) Political Reforms that ended the absolute monarch in France. Is the correct
answer because Locke wrote the Two Treatises of Government which argued that
individuals possessed natural born, inalienable rights such as life, liberty and property.
According to Locke, these natural born rights limited the rights of the kind.
Montesquieu also wrote in the his major work The Spirit of Laws that the role of

government was to maintain law and order, political liberty, and property of the
individual and opposed absolute rule of a monarch. Finally, Rousseau in his major work
The Social Contract he argued that an individual should never have to give up his natural
born rights to a king.
5.A) Natural Law Is the correct answer because ...Men are born and remain free and
equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good is
found in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen written 1789 which was
considered to be a doctrine of Natural Right which propagated the idea that people are
born with certain unalienable, natural rights.
6.C) The middle class gained political influence Is the correct answer because a major
result of the French Revolution was that the bourgeoisie or middle class came into
political prominence, formally the Third Estate (commoners), the bourgeoisie overthrew
King Louis XVI to establish a parliamentary government in France.
7.D) British trade and monetary policies reduced colonial business opportunities
and profits. Is the correct answer because in pre-revolutionary America, Great Britain
would only allow its American colonies to trade with them (they had a monopoly on
their trade). Also, Great Britain enforced monetary policies such as the Stamp Act, the
Tea Act and Townshend Duties which put tax on paper, glass and paints from Great
Britain.
8.A) Concentration of power in a small group of landowners. Is the correct answer
because in colonial Latin America power was unevenly put in the hands of a few
hacienda large plantation or landowners who would control entire communities with
slaves and indigenous people working the haciendas.
9.D) Failed to meet the political and economic needs of their people. Is the correct
answer because in all of the revolutionary writings there exists displeasure with the
current state of government and/or affairs as it relates to the governed which was their
reason for revolution
10.D) Promoted, in part, to seek raw materials for industries in imperialistic
nations. Is correct because imperialism practiced by the United States and Great Britain
was originally
intended to extract raw materials. For example, Great Britains colony of India was
utilized for a vast amount of raw materials such as powders, spices and poppy plants to
make opium. As for the United States, through imperialism they tried to extract from
places like Latin America raw materials such as tropical foods.
11. D) Gained independence from Great Britain. Is the correct answer because the
Indian National Congress (1885-1947) was formed with the sole intention of breaking
away from their colonial mother Great Britain. They were the central and defining
influence of the Indian Independence Movement.

12. B)Prevent Spain from regaining its former colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
This is the correct answer because it is the overall reason for why the United States
Published the Monroe Doctrine in the first place. The main goal was to establish the
United States as having the right to intervene should European countries attempt to
colonize or interfere in affairs in the Western Hemisphere.
13. C) WWI- This is the correct answer because all of these events are in direct relation
to WWI. Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated! refers to the assassination of the
Archduke and heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire in Sarajevo. The country blamed
Serbia for the assassination and decided to declare war as long as they gained support
from Germany, in the event that Russia and her allies joined with Serbia to defend her.
Thus, when all was said and done the tentative peace that the countries had up until this
point was shattered as the battle lines were drawn. Germany Declares War on Russia
and France! was a result of this particular event as well and the fact that there were
already tensions between the two countries in Europe. Germany declared war on Russia
shortly after Russia began mobilization of its forces. Peace Treaty Signed at Versailles!
This refers to the end of WW1 in which Germany was striped of its military, blamed
solely for the war and left to pay immense reparations. This would help set the cogs in
motion for the second World War.
14. A) Strengthen Soviet resistance to Nazi Germany. This is the correct answer
because it depicts the reason why the United States and the Soviet Union originally
cooperated during the second World War. It was not for their same visions of government
(for one was totalitarian/communist and the other democratic/capitalistic), but for their
mutual opposition to Hitler and his regime.
15.B) Violations of human rights. This is the correct answer because the Holocaust is
classified as genocide, which is the systematic killing of an entire group of people, thus
violating their human rights.
16. A) North and South Vietnam were politically reunited. This is the correct answer
because it is one of the biggest outcomes of the Vietnam war. In the end after the
American troops had pulled out of the country, the North Vietnamese military was able to
force South Vietnam to officially surrender on April 30th, 1976.
17. C) the potential for global nuclear destruction. This is the correct answer because
it demonstrates the central reason why the two superpowers did not want to come into
direct military conflict. This was because they knew the other had nuclear capabilities
and could retaliate with nuclear fire-power.
18. D) Stop the spread of Communism. This is the correct answer because it highlights
the military involvement in Southeast Asia as the actions taken to stop the spread of
Communism. This was one of the main goals of the United States militarily during this
time period, specifically to contain the spread of Communism.
19. B) the process of international integration from the interchange of world views,
products, ideas and other aspects of culture. This is the correct answer because it

defines specifically what globalization is, which is the exchange of different aspects of
culture with another culture.
20. A) Coca-Cola sells their soft drinks worldwide.This is an example of the
globalization of production because Coca-Cola has spread their market to other countries
besides the United States, and as a result the economies of the other countries have been
influenced. therefore the production of Coca-Cola has become globalized, by its presence
in other countries.
Short Answer Question Rubric
What is imperialism? Give an example of an imperialistic country and explain why they
are one.
Advanced Student
Response
(Awesome)
4pts.

The student gives the correct definition of imperialism as well

as a correct example of an imperialistic country. The student
gives additional support and explanation as to why that country
is an imperialistic country.

Proficient Student
Response
(Partially
correct)2pts.

The student gives the correct definition of imperialism, but and

an imperialistic country, but fails to demonstrate in what way
the country is an imperialistic country.

Barely Proficient
(Only correct in one
area)1pts.

The student gives the correct definition of imperialism, but is

unable to identify an imperialist country and the reasons for
why this country is considered imperialistic.

Below Proficient
0pts.
(Does not answer the
question or
completely incorrect

The student is unable to give a definition of imperialism or

gives a wrong definition of imperialism. The student does not
give any examples or an incorrect example of an imperialistic
nation with either no or incorrect support.

Extended Response Question 1 Rubric

What were the main ideas central to the Enlightenment movement? How have these
Enlightenment ideas paved the way for future democracies?

Advanced Student
Response
(Awesome)
4pts.

This response should address what the main ideas central to the
Enlightenment movement are, as well as, how these Enlightenment
ideas have paved the way for future democracies. Student answers
should be well developed and provide multiple examples of the main
ideas of the Enlightenment movement. Students essay is mostly
grammatically correct.

Proficient Student
Response
(Correct but lacking
depth or in depth but
partially done)

Student addresses what ideas were central to Enlightenment but does

not explain how these ideas have paved the way for future
democracies. Student answers are mostly well-developed and they do
provide multiple examples of the main ideas of the Enlightenment
movement. Some grammatical errors, but does not hinder
understanding of essay.

3pts.
Barely Proficient
(Lacking depth and
partially done, but
still correct in some
areas)

Student barely addresses what ideas were central to Enlightenment and

does not explain how these ideas have paved the way for future
democracies. Student answers are not well-developed and only provide
a few examples of the main ideas of the Enlightenment movement.
Numerous grammatical errors, occasionally hindering understanding of
the essay.

2pts.
Below Proficient
0-1 pt.

Response includes little to no recognition of what ideas were central to

Enlightenment and does not explain how these ideas have paved the
way for future democracies. Response is not in standard essay format
and includes several grammatical errors, sometimes enough to
frequently hinder understanding of essay.

Extended Response Question 2 Rubric

How did the United States become the only Superpower after the Cold War? Explain the
historical events that led up to this outcome. Give at least 4 events.

Advanced Student
Response
(Awesome)
4pts.
Proficient Student
Response
(Correct but lacking
depth or in depth but
partially done)

This response should address how the United States became the only
Superpower after the cold war and gives detailed evidence to support
this claim. Student answers should be well developed and provide four
events that led up to the United States emergence as the sole
superpower at the end of the Cold War. Students essay is mostly
grammatically correct.
Student addresses how the United States became a superpower, but
only gives 2-3 events to support this claim. Student answers are mostly
well-developed and the grammatical errors do not hinder the
understanding of the essay. However, the student is lacking depth and
detailed events that explain the emergence of the United States as the
sole superpower.

3pts.
Barely Proficient
(Lacking depth and

Student barely addresses how the United States became the sole
Superpower and only gives 1-2 events to support their claim. Student

partially done, but

still correct in some
areas)

answers are not well-developed and they lack depth of the events they
do mention. Numerous grammatical errors, occasionally hindering
understanding of the essay.

2pts.
Below Proficient
0-1 pt.

The students response does not answer the essential question of how
the United States became the sole superpower after the Cold War. In
addition, the essay is lacking any sort of detailed events to support the
claim. Response is not in standard essay format and includes several
grammatical errors, sometimes enough to frequently hinder
understanding of essay.

Part III: Test Blueprint

20 Multiple-Choice Questions
Content Area World History (Modern Era 1600-Present)

Modern World History Pre-test Blueprint

Standard Category

Multiple
Choice
(2pts. each)

Extended
Response Items
(4 pts. each)

Age of
Enlightenment

Age of Revolutions

Imperialism

Short Answer Total Points

Items
(2 pts. each)
0

14

Achievements and
Crisis

Cold War

10

Globalization

Total: Number of
Items

20

Total Number of
Items: 23
Total Number of
Points:50