Part I
Answer all questions in this part.
Directions (1–15): For each statement or question, write on the separate answer sheet the number
of the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the
question.
1) Which series of events leading to World War II is in the correct chronological order?
(1) Neutrality Acts → Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor → Lend-Lease Act → United States
declaration of war on Japan
(2) Lend-Lease Act → Neutrality Acts → United States declaration of war on Japan → Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor
(3) United States declaration of war on Japan → Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor → Lend-Lease
Act → Neutrality Acts
(4) Neutrality Acts → Lend-Lease Act → Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor → United States
declaration of war on Japan
2) Which change in American society occurred during World War II?
(1) African Americans were granted equality in the armed forces.
(2) Women were allowed to enter combat units for the first time.
(3) Congress enacted the first military draft.
(4) Women replaced men in essential wartime industries.
3) Which action was taken by the United States government to help Europe’s economic recovery
after World War II?
(1) forming the Alliance for Progress
(2) sending troops to Turkey
(3) creating the Marshall Plan
(4) joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
4) Issuing the Truman Doctrine, defending South Korea, and sending military advisors to
Vietnam were actions taken by the United States to
(1) encourage membership in the United Nations
(2) promote American business in Asia
(3) limit the spread of communism
(4) gain additional overseas colonies
5) Which development is most closely associated with the belief in the domino theory?
(1) military involvement in Vietnam
(2) construction of the Berlin Wall
(3) signing of the nuclear test ban treaty
(4) end of the Korean War
6) “Eisenhower Sends U.S. Troops to Protect Lebanon”
“Kennedy Places Quarantine on Shipment of Soviet Missiles to Cuba”
“Johnson Increases U.S. Troop Strength in Vietnam by 125,000”
Which statement about the Cold War is illustrated by these headlines?
(1) Rivalries between the superpowers often involved conflicts in other nations.
(2) United States military support was most often deployed in Europe.
(3) Communist forces were frequently victorious in Asia.
(4) Summit talks frequently succeeded in limiting international tension
7) The post–World War II trials held by the Allied powers in Nuremberg, Germany, and in Japan
set an international precedent by
(1) placing blame only on civilian leaders
(2) forcing nations to pay for war damages
(3) returning conquered territories to their peoples
(4) holding individuals accountable for their war crimes
8) The development of the Marshall Plan and the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) were part of President Harry Truman’s effort to
(1) end the Korean War
(2) limit the spread of communism
(3) provide aid to Asian nations
(4) promote an isolationist foreign policy
9) The D-Day invasion in June 1944 was important to the outcome of World War II because it
(1) opened a new Allied front in Europe
(2) avoided use of the atomic bomb against civilian targets
(3) forced Italy to surrender
(4) stopped Soviet advances in eastern Europe
Base your answers to questions 10 and 11 on the statement below and on your knowledge of
social studies.
. . . But this secret, swift, and extraordinary buildup of Communist missiles—in an area well
known to have a special and historical relationship to the United States and the nations of the
Western Hemisphere, in violation of Soviet assurances, and in defiance of American and
hemispheric policy— this sudden, clandestine [secret] decision to station strategic weapons for
the first time outside of Soviet soil—is a deliberately provocative and unjustified change in the
status quo which cannot be accepted by this country, if our courage and our commitments are
ever to be trusted again by either friend or foe. . . .
— President John F. Kennedy, October 22, 1962
10) This statement is most closely associated with the
(1) Bay of Pigs invasion
(2) Cuban missile crisis
(3) United States-Soviet space race
(4) nuclear test ban controversy
11) What is a valid conclusion based on this statement?
(1) Strategic weapons of the United States should be stationed on foreign soil.
(2) An isolationist foreign policy is the most effective way to preserve peace.
(3) Presidential attempts were made to end military alliances.
(4) Geographic location plays an important role in determining foreign policy.
Base your answer to question 12 on the quotation below and on your knowledge of social
studies.
. . . I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are
resisting attempted subjugation [control] by
armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out
their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through
economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly
political processes. . . .
—President Harry Truman, speech to Congress
(Truman Doctrine), March 12, 1947
12) The program described in this quotation was part
of the foreign policy of
(1) détente (3) neutrality
(2) containment (4) colonialism
13) Which action by the United States best represents United States foreign policy in the 1930s?
(1) passing the Neutrality Acts
(2) creating the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO)
(3) deciding to create the United Nations
(4) joining the Allied powers
Base your answer to question 14 on the telegram below and on your knowledge of social studies.
14) This telegram was sent as a response to the
(1) Start of World War II
(2) Attack on Pearl Harbor
(3) Passage of a law to ban Japanese immigration
(4) Drafting of Japanese Americans into the military
15) In the years just after World War 11, the United States attempted to prevent the spread of
communism in Europe mainly by
1. Taking over the governments of several Western European nations.
2. Increasing opportunities for political refugees to settle in the United
States.
3. Holding a series of summit meetings with leaders of the Soviet
Union.
4. Establishing policies of economic and military aid for European
nations.
Part II
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing
the task below, and a conclusion.
In developing your answer to Part II, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
(A) Explain means “to make plain or understandable; to give reasons for or causes of;
to show the logical development or relationship of”
(b) Discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and
Argument; to present in some detail”
Theme: Neutrality in the face of World War II
Throughout U.S. history, America has been faced with difficult decisions many of which
have brought us to the brink of war or war itself. One example, of this was our decision to
either abandon our ideologies of neutrality or enter World War II.
Task:
- Discuss two events that led the United States into World War II
-Discuss one argument for the United States to remain neutral
-Evaluate whether it is possible to remain neutral in globally interdependent world
Guidelines:
In your essay, be sure to
• Develop all aspects of the task
• Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
• Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a
conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme
Part III
DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION
This question is based on the accompanying documents. The question is designed to test your
ability to work with historical documents. Some of these documents have been edited for the
purposes of this question. As you analyze the documents, take into account the source of each
document and any point of view that may be presented in the document.
Historical Context:
During the Cold War the United States was involved in many conflicts based on difference in
political ideologies and the American theory of containment. Have the actions of the United States
after World War II created a safer world for all of us?
Task: Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of American history, answer
the questions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the questions will help you write
the Part B essay in which you will be asked to select two events from the Cold war and explain the
positive and negative effects on the United States.
Select two crises from the documents that arose after World War II. For each crisis:
• Discuss the causes that gave rise to the crisis
• Discuss the actions of the United States in the crisis
• Evaluate whether the actions of the United States have made for a safer world.
In developing your answers to Part III, be sure to keep these general definitions in mind:
(a) Discuss means “to make observations about something using facts, reasoning, and
argument; to present in some detail”
(b) Evaluate means “to judge or determine the significance, worth, or quality of; assess”
Part A
Short-Answer Questions
Directions: Analyze the documents and answer the short-answer questions that follow each
document in the space provided.
Document 1
. . . I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are
resisting attempted [control] by armed minorities or by outside pressures. I believe that we
must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that
our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to
economic stability and orderly political processes.
-Harry Truman’s request for funds to support Greece and Turkey against communism,
Message to Congress, 1947
1a According to this document, what foreign policy did President Harry Truman
support? (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
1b what type of assistance did President Truman think the United States should
provide to free peoples? (1)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score________
Document 2
"STEP ON IT, DOC!"
1) What United States foreign policy is illustrated by this cartoon? [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score________
1b. Why did the United States want to stop communism from spreading to Western Europe? [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score________
Document 3
. . . Communist aggression in Korea is a part of the worldwide strategy of the Kremlin to destroy
freedom. It has shown men all over the world that Communist imperialism may strike anywhere,
anytime.
The defense of Korea is part of the worldwide effort of all the free nations to maintain freedom.
It has shown free men that if they stand together, and pool their strength, Communist aggression
cannot succeed. . . .
Source: President Harry Truman, Address at a dinner of the Civil Defense Conference, May 7, 1951
2a According to President Harry Truman, why was it important for the United States to help defend
Korea? [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score__________
2b Based on this cartoon, what problem did the United States face in Asia by 1953? [1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score__________
Document 4
THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT
. . . The world as it is in Asia is not a serene or peaceful place.
The first reality is that North Viet-Nam has attacked the independent nation of South Viet-Nam.
Its object is total conquest.
Of course, some of the people of South Viet-Nam are participating in attack on their own
government. But trained men and supplies, orders and arms, flow in a constant stream from
north to south.
This support is the heartbeat of the war. . . .
WHY ARE WE IN VIET-NAM?
Why are these realities our concern? Why are we in South Viet-Nam?
Source: President Lyndon B. Johnson, Speech at Johns Hopkins University, American
We are there because we have a promise to keep. Since 1954 every April 7, 1965President has
offered support to the people of South Viet-Nam. We have helped to build, and we have helped
to defend. Thus, over many years, we have made a national pledge to help South Viet-Nam
defend its independence.
According to keep that promise. . .
And I intendto President Lyndon B.. Johnson, why was the United States involved in Vietnam? [ 1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score__________
Document 5
U.S.A. & U.S.S.R.
5a. What does the monster represent?[1]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score______
“We saw as never before the meaning and responsibility in the power of the United
States, the power of the President, the responsibility we had to people around the globe
who had never heard of us, who had never heard of our country or of the men sitting in
that room determining their fate, making a decision which would influence whether they
would live or die.”
Robert F. Kennedy “Thirteen Day: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis”
“I found myself in the difficult position of having to decide on a course of action which
would answer the American threat but which would also avoid war. Any fool can start a
war, and once he’s done so, even the wisest of men are helpless to stop it –especially if
it’s a nuclear war.”
Nikita Khrushchev, Khrushchev Remembers
5b. What did Robert Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev both feel that preventing nuclear war was
so important for the global community? [2]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Score__
Part B
Essay
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a
conclusion.
Use evidence from at least four documents in your essay. Support your response with relevant
facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information.
Historical Context:
During the Cold War the United States was involved in many conflicts based on difference in
political ideologies and the American theory of containment. Have the actions of the United States
after World War II including involvement in Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, and policies of containment
created a safer world for all of us?
Task: Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of global history, answer the
questions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the questions will help you write the
Part B essay in which you will be asked to.
Select two conflicts/policy and for each:
• Discuss two positive or negative impacts brought about by the actions of the United States.
• Evaluate whether the actions of the United States have made the world a safer place.
In your essay, be sure to
• Develop all aspects of the task
• Incorporate information from at least four documents
• Incorporate relevant outside information
• Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
• Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion that are
beyond a restatement of the theme.
Content Specific Rubric for
Score of 5:
• Thoroughly develops all aspects of the task evenly and in depth by describing the
historical circumstances surrounding two positive or negative effects brought about by
the actions of the United States following WWII.
• Is more analytical than descriptive (analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates* information),
e.g., The Korean War (positive) was fought to save the people of South Korea from
being swallowed up by their northern communist neighbors. The people of South Korea
were saved by the global involvement lead by the United States. If this had been
allowed to occur other nations would have fallen to the overwhelming communist threat.
The United States involement in the Korean War (negative) cost many people their lives
and valuable resources. We left the conflict in Korea with the communist threat still at
large. So much was wasted with so little accomplished.
• Incorporates relevant information from at least four documents.
• Incorporates substantial relevant outside information related to the United States post
WWII actions.
• Richly supports the theme with many relevant facts, examples, and details, e.g.,
Korean War, Vietnam War, Policy of containment, Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a
conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme
Score of 4:
• Develops all aspects of the task but may do so somewhat unevenly by developing
both components of the task by concentrating more heavily on one positive/negative
issue than the other...
• Is both descriptive and analytical (applies, analyzes, evaluates, and/or creates
information), e.g., The Cuban Missile Crisis (positive) brought us to the brink of nuclear
war opening the eyes of many political leaders to the horrors of nuclear warfare. The
conflict was resolved without military action. The Cuban Missile Crisis (negative)
opened the world to the threat of nuclear war. This increased tension and stress on all
aspects of life, internally and externally.
• Incorporates relevant information from at least four documents
• Incorporates relevant outside information
• Supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
• Demonstrates a logical and clear plan of organization; includes an introduction and a
conclusion that are beyond a restatement of the theme
Note: At score levels 5 and 4, all four components should be developed.
Score of 3:
• Develops all aspects of the task with little depth or develops at least three aspects of
the task in some depth
• Is more descriptive than analytical (applies, may analyze and/or evaluate information)
• Incorporates some relevant information from some of the documents
• Incorporates limited relevant outside information
• Includes some relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some minor
inaccuracies
• Demonstrates a satisfactory plan of organization; includes an introduction and a
conclusion that may be a restatement of the theme
Note: If both components for one of the effects have been thoroughly developed
evenly and in depth, and if the response meets most of the other Level 5 criteria, the
overall response may be a Level 3 paper.
Score of 2:
• Minimally develops all aspects of the task or develops at least two aspects of the task
in some depth
• Is primarily descriptive; may include faulty, weak, or isolated application or analysis
• Incorporates limited relevant information from the documents or consists primarily of
relevant information copied from the documents
• Presents little or no relevant outside information
• Includes few relevant facts, examples, and details; may include some inaccuracies
• Demonstrates a general plan of organization; may lack focus; may contain
digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may
lack an introduction and/or a conclusion
Score of 1:
• Minimally develops some aspects of the task
• Is descriptive; may lack understanding, application, or analysis
• Makes vague, unclear references to the documents or consists primarily of relevant
and irrelevant information copied from the documents
• Presents no relevant outside information
• Includes few relevant facts, examples, or details; may include inaccuracies
• May demonstrate a weakness in organization; may lack focus; may contain
digressions; may not clearly identify which aspect of the task is being addressed; may
lack an introduction and/or a conclusion
Score of 0:
Fails to develop the task or may only refer to the theme in a general way; OR includes
no relevant facts, examples, or details; OR includes only the historical context and/or
task as copied from the test booklet; OR includes only entire documents copied from the
test booklet; OR is illegible; OR is a blank paper
*The term create as used by Anderson/Krathwohl, et al. in their 2001 revision of
Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives refers to the highest level of the cognitive
domain. This usage of create is similar to Bloom’s use of the term synthesis. Creating
implies an insightful reorganization of information into a new pattern or whole. While a
Level 5 paper will contain analysis and/or evaluation
Of information, a very strong paper may also include examples of creating information
as defined by
Anderson and Krathwohl.
Scoring Rubic for Exam
Essay 0 Essay 1 Essay 2 Essay 3 Essay 4 Essay 5 Essay 6 Essay 7 Essay 8 Essay 9 Essay 10
0 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
1 2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 44
2 5 9 13 17 21 25 29 33 37 41 45
3 7 11 15 19 23 27 31 35 39 43 47
4 10 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50
5 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52
6 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54
7 17 21 25 29 33 37 41 45 49 53 57
8 19 23 27 31 35 39 43 47 51 55 59
9 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62
10 24 28 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64
11 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66
12 29 33 37 41 45 49 53 57 61 65 69
13 31 35 39 43 47 51 55 59 63 67 71
14 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74
15 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76
16 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78
17 41 45 49 53 57 61 65 69 73 77 81
18 43 47 51 55 59 63 67 71 75 79 83
19 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86
20 48 52 56 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88
21 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90
22 53 57 61 65 69 73 77 81 85 89 93
23 55 59 63 67 71 75 79 83 87 91 95
24 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98
25 60 64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 100