Study Guide

Mild/Moderate Middle/Secondary Multi-Content:
Social Science
Sample Questions

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Competency 0041
Understand basic historical concepts and major developments in U.S., Missouri, and world history.

1. The introduction of printing in Europe during the early modern era most influenced which of the following developments?

  1. the evolution of universities from monastic schools
  2. the diffusion of Protestant ideas during the Reformation
  3. the expansion of global trade networks
  4. the development of capitalism
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: B. Protestant reformers of the early modern era produced an immense theological literature. Being able to disseminate that literature in printed form facilitated the spread of Protestant religious beliefs.

Competency 0042
Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of geography.

2. A geographer who is seeking to assess the danger of storm surges and flooding in the Gulf Coast region of the United States would likely find which of the following types of information most useful?

  1. groundwater levels and kinds of natural vegetation
  2. annual rainfall and patterns of ecological succession
  3. relative humidity and soil properties
  4. tidal amplitude and landform characteristics
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: D. Two major determinants of the damage a region is likely to suffer from storm surges are the extent of high tides and the topography of coastal land surfaces. Areas where the land is only a few yards above sea level are particularly subject to inundation.

Competency 0043
Understand the fundamental principles and concepts of government and economics.

3. In which of the following situations is the economic concept of opportunity cost most applicable?

  1. A homeowner decides to refinance her mortgage at a lower interest rate but keep making the same monthly payments to the bank.
  2. An industrial firm decides to expand the number of products that it manufactures.
  3. A college student decides to pay off a portion of his student debt instead of purchasing an automobile.
  4. A car dealer decides to lower the price of economy models but increase the price of luxury automobiles.
Enter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded
Correct Response: C. Opportunity cost, a fundamental economic concept, is the value of the next best alternative that had to be given up to do the action that was chosen. In this situation, the value of the automobile that the student chose not to buy is the opportunity cost of his decision to retire some of his student debt.