World Civilizations Proficiency Assessment #4
DIRECTIONS:
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Mark only one answer for each question.
If you do not know the answer, make your best guess.
MULTIPLE CHOICE ITEMS:
1. Which of the following was a primary cause of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union?
a. A competition for political influence over other countries
b. Direct, armed conflict between the two nations
c. A deep reduction in military expenditures
d. The founding of the United Nations
2. What have members of the European Union (EU) and countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) attempted to do?
a. Monopolize iron and steel production
b. Establish collective farms
c. Seize control of the production and distribution of resources
d. Reduce regional trade barriers
3. One way in which the Hitler Youth of Germany and the Red Guard of China are similar is that both organizations
a. Helped increase religious tolerance
b. hindered imperialistic goals
c. required unquestioning loyalty to the leader
d. led pro-democracy movements
4.
Which title best describes the cartoonist’s point of view about globalization?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Growing Closer Together
An Uncertain Path
An Economic Miracle
The Road to Stability
5. The Nuremberg Trials are considered an important event in the 20th century because they
a. Brought an end to genocide
b. Condemned the use of nuclear weapons
c. Ruled on provisions for the postwar occupation of Germany
d. Established principles of responsibility for human rights violations
6. These ideas are most closely associated with the
 French intends to re-colonize Indo-China after World War II
 United States desires to prevent the spread of communism
 United States supports the French in Southeast Asia
a.
b.
c.
d.
Reasons for the Nationalist settlement of Taiwan
Factors that led to the Korean War
Results of the Marshall Plan
Causes of the conflict in Vietnam
7. Base your answer to question 6 on the chart below and on your knowledge of social studies.
Which conclusion about South Africa’s economy can be drawn from this chart?
a. Since the end of apartheid, most blacks have gained economic equality.
b. In some sectors of the economy, blacks earn more than whites.
c. Despite the end of apartheid, many blacks continue to struggle economically.
d. Economic opportunity for blacks is directly related to education reform.
8. World War II was a turning point for many European colonies in Africa and Asia because the war led to
a. The occupation of most European colonies by United Nations troops
b. Increased efforts by these colonies to gain independence
c. The expansion of European imperialism
d. Decreased friction between Europeans and their colonies
9. The main reason the United Nations sent troops to Korea in 1950 was to
a. Ensure that food reached areas of the Korean Peninsula affected by famine
b. Prevent North Korea from conquering the people of South Korea
c. Force the inspection of nuclear weapons plants in North Korea
d. Restore peace between warring factions of Buddhism and Shinto
10. Base your answer to question 11 on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies.
What is the main idea of this 2004 cartoon?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The lack of energy resources in Iran has led to the importation of uranium.
A drop in oil production has led to an increased dependence on uranium in Iran.
Frequent oil spills in Iran have resulted in its use of uranium-based fuels.
It is questionable whether Iran needs uranium to produce energy.
11. “A Jewish State is Created”
“Six-Day War Results in Major Arab Losses”
“Withdrawal Begins from West Bank”
Which situation is referred to in these headlines?
a. Persian Gulf War
b. Conflict between Israelis and Palestinians
c. Scramble for Africa
d. Collapse of the Ottoman Empire
12. Base your answer to question 12 on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies.
This World War II cartoon is showing the relationships between climate and the
a. Success of Allied troops after D-Day
b. Efforts by Allied troops to control Berlin
c. Inability of Nazi forces to defeat the Soviet Union
d. Casualties suffered by the Soviet Union
Constructed Response
“Cold War”
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, body, and a conclusion that addresses the
task below.
Theme: Following World War II, the Soviet Union and the United States rose to superpower status. The Soviet Union
and other communist nations tried to spread and expand communism, while the United States and other democratic
nations attempted to contain or stop the spread of communism. A Cold War developed between democratic and
communist nations.
Task:
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Select one of the regions below:
Eastern Europe
East Asia (China or Korea)
Southeast Asia (Vietnam)
Middle East
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Describe attempts to expand or spread communism in the region
Explain how democratic nations tried to contain communism in that region
Discuss whether the democratic nations were successful or unsuccessful in containing communism in that
region
Guidelines:
In your essay, be sure to:
o Address all aspects of the task
o Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
o Use a logical and clear plan of organization
o Include an introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion
Answer Key
1. A
2. D
3. C
4. B
5. D
6. D
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. D
11. B
12. C
Standard
Cold War
Globalization
World War II
Globalization
World War II
Cold War
Globalization
World War II
Cold War
Globalization
World War II
Scoring Rubric: Constructed Response- “Cold War”
4
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3
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2
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1
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Shows a thorough understanding of how an attempt was made to spread communism, how democratic
nations tried to contain communism, and whether the democratic nations were successful or
unsuccessful in containing communism in the region selected
Thoroughly addresses all aspects of the task evenly and in depth. Accurately understands each
component of the task in identifying, describing, explaining, and discussing the spread or containment
of communism in the region selected
Shows an ability to analyze and evaluate the attempt to spread communism in the region selected with
the attempt to contain communism by democratic nations, e.g. the role nation building played in
Vietnam in regards to successfully or unsuccessfully stopping the spread of communism. Shows an
ability to analyze how the Cold War was prolonged by continued attempts to spread and contain
communism
Richly supports the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
Is a well-developed essay that has clear organization, i.e., introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a
conclusion
Shows a good understanding of how an attempt was made to spread communism, how democratic
nations tried to contain communism, and whether the democratic nations were successful or
unsuccessful in containing communism in the region selected
Addresses all aspects of the task, but may do so unevenly or without a lot of analysis or depth
Shows an ability to analyze the success of the attempt to spread communism in the region selected in
comparison with the success to contain communism by democratic nations
Includes relevant facts, examples, and details
Essay is developed and mostly organized
Shows an understanding of how an attempt was made to spread communism, how democratic nations
tried to contain communism, and whether the democratic nations were successful or unsuccessful in
containing communism in the region selected
Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way
Shows some ability to analyze the spread of communism in the region selected compared to an
attempt to contain communism from spreading in that area but not in any depth and relies on
description rather than analysis
Includes few facts, examples, and details; may contain some inaccuracies
Essay is somewhat developed
Shows a very limited understanding of the Cold War and the attempts to spread or contain communism
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0
Blank
Some attempt at addressing all aspects of the task
Develops a faulty or weak analysis or evaluation of Cold War conflicts
Includes little to no facts, examples, and details; contains inaccuracies
Poorly organized essay; lacks focus, contains many digressions, does not identify different aspects of
the task