Social Studies Benchmark Review

Question #1: What are the 3 reasons for European Exploration? Hint: 3G’s

Answer #1 Gold God Glory

Question #2: Look at the map. Match each letter with its correct country. A B C D United Kingdom Germany Poland France

Answer #2: A) United Kingdom B) Germany C) France D) Poland

Question #3 What religion do most people in Europe identify themselves as?

Answer #3 Christian (Christianity)

Question #4 Why effect does high literacy rates have on countries?

Answer #4 Nations with high literacy rates usually have high standards of living and better economies. Higher literacy = better education Better education = more success within the country

Question #5 What happened during the Holocaust?

Answer #5 The Holocaust was a time in history during which the German government executed Jews, communists, and gypsies. Many were put into concentration camps and killed.

Questions #6 The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of decades of what kind of rule in the nation?

Answer #6 Communist

Question #7 What is a parliamentary system of government and name a country as an example?

Answer #7 A Parliament is a system of government in which there is a group of elected officials that make decisions for the people. An example of a parliamentary government is the United Kingdom.

Question #8 How did the Cold War develop?

Answer #8 The Cold War developed as a result of the tensions between the US. and the Soviet Union.

Question #9 The European Union is an economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries. Its aims are to encourage peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens — in a fairer, safer world. What type of government is the EU?

Answer #9 Confederation

Question #10 Name the following rivers.

Answer #10 A- Loire * Didn’t study B- Seine C- Rhine D- Danube

Question #11 What effect does coal-burning and driving cars have on our environment?

Answer #11 They are actions that contribute to the pollution of our air!

Question #12 Name the “explorer” that never actually left Portugal, but rather donated money to allow other people to explore the world and claim land for Portugal? Hint: He was royalty

Answer #12 Prince Henry the Navigator

Question #13 Where in Europe are the Alps?

Answer #13 The Alps run through Italy and France, and extend as far as Austria.

Question #14 Why have European businesses found trade between countries easier in the past decade?

Answer #14 Reduction on tariffs (fees) and the increased use of a common currency

Question #15 In Germany, many forests are dying. What is a cause for the waxy outer coating being damaged?

Answer #15 Acid Rain

Question #16 If you increase the amount of education and trading within a nation, what may also increase?

Answer #16 Literacy Rates Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Question #17 What disaster happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine on April 26, 1986?

Answer #17 A nuclear accident

Question #18 Where is the Iberian peninsula?

Answer #18 Right Here!!!

Question #19 What did European colonies become important sources of as European power grew more industrialized?

Answer #19 Slave labor

Question #20 What important European event occurred between 1945 and 1990 that divided the European economy?

Answer #20 The Cold War