Free GED-SS sample questions

Correct answer: Opportunity Cost

Opportunity cost is the value of the next-best alternative that must be forgone to pursue a certain action. In this case, the opportunity cost of building the library is the benefit that would have been gained from repairing the roads, and vice-versa. The city must choose one, sacrificing the other, due to the economic principle of scarcity.

Correct answer: A division of power between the national government and state governments.

Federalism is a core principle of the U.S. Constitution that divides governmental power between the central (national) government and the regional (state) governments. Some powers are exclusive to the federal government, some are reserved for the states, and some are shared (concurrent).

Correct answers: Addressing problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption.; Promoting women's suffrage and direct democracy.

The Progressive Era was a direct response to the negative effects of rapid industrialization and the growth of cities, including poor working conditions, child labor, and corrupt political machines.

Key political reforms of the era included giving more power to citizens through mechanisms like the direct election of senators, initiatives, referendums, and the major push for women's right to vote, culminating in the 19th Amendment.

Correct answer: It enabled the production of agricultural surpluses, leading to population growth and specialized labor.

Irrigation allowed for reliable and large-scale farming in the arid climate of Mesopotamia. This resulted in a surplus of food, which meant not everyone had to be a farmer. This surplus supported a larger population and allowed people to specialize in other roles like artisans, priests, and soldiers, leading to the development of complex societies and cities.

Correct answer: The bill must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate.

The power of the presidential veto is a key check on the legislative branch. To counter this, the Constitution grants Congress the power to override a veto. This requires a supermajority vote: two-thirds of the members present and voting in both the House of Representatives and the Senate must agree to pass the bill into law despite the president's objections.

Correct answer: False

This statement is false. While the Fourth Amendment establishes a strong preference for warrants based on probable cause, courts have recognized several exceptions. These include situations involving consent to a search, items in plain view, searches incident to a lawful arrest, and 'exigent circumstances' where there is an immediate risk of danger or destruction of evidence.

Correct answer: An increased public expectation that the federal government is responsible for economic stability and social welfare.

The New Deal marked a fundamental shift in the relationship between the American people and their government. Programs like Social Security, the FDIC, and federal work projects established a precedent for federal intervention in the economy and the creation of a social safety net. This led to a lasting expectation that the government has a key role in ensuring economic security and aiding citizens in need.

Correct answer: Raising the federal funds rate

The Federal Reserve uses monetary policy to manage the economy. To combat inflation, it aims to slow down economic activity. By raising the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which banks lend to each other), the Fed makes borrowing more expensive throughout the economy. This discourages spending and investment by consumers and businesses, which reduces demand and helps to bring inflation down. Decreasing taxes and increasing government spending are fiscal policies that would typically increase inflation.

Correct answer: The power of judicial review.

In *Marbury v. Madison*, Chief Justice John Marshall argued that the Supreme Court has the authority to review acts of Congress and the President and to determine whether they are constitutional. This power, known as judicial review, is a cornerstone of the system of checks and balances, allowing the judicial branch to invalidate laws and actions that violate the Constitution.

Correct answer: rain shadow effect

The rain shadow effect occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, dropping its moisture as rain or snow on the windward side. By the time the air passes over the mountains to the leeward side, it is dry, creating an arid or desert region like the Atacama.