Tackling the Social Studies DSTP Test

Requirements All students who pass through 11 th grade (junior standing) are now required to take this test All students who pass through 11 th grade (junior standing) are now required to take this test The tests taken involve knowledge based on the standards in science and social studies. They require SOME real learned knowledge, but most Social Studies questions can be answered without knowing what the topics are all about! The tests taken involve knowledge based on the standards in science and social studies. They require SOME real learned knowledge, but most Social Studies questions can be answered without knowing what the topics are all about!

Subject areas in Social Studies The test has questions based on the following standard/content areas: The test has questions based on the following standard/content areas: History History Geography Geography Civics Civics Economics Economics

Question Format The test has multiple choice and short answer questions The test has multiple choice and short answer questions Most questions are accompanied by some kind of graphic which is meant to be used! Most questions are accompanied by some kind of graphic which is meant to be used! DO NOT USE THE GRAPHIC AS A CRUTCH! DO NOT USE THE GRAPHIC AS A CRUTCH! Note: Some questions do not come with a graphic, rather they have supporting statements or reading passages included Note: Some questions do not come with a graphic, rather they have supporting statements or reading passages included The test page will also include the standard to be achieved and the response requirements The test page will also include the standard to be achieved and the response requirements

Tips for Multiple Choice Questions There will only be one right answer! There will only be one right answer! Make sure you read through every answer even if you are sure the first or second is correct. Make sure you read through every answer even if you are sure the first or second is correct. As you go through each answer, cross through the ones that you know are incorrect. If you have four possible answers and you can eliminate two you've increased your odds for a correct answer to 50%. As you go through each answer, cross through the ones that you know are incorrect. If you have four possible answers and you can eliminate two you've increased your odds for a correct answer to 50%. If you must guess, make sure you have at least narrowed it down to 2 answers! If you must guess, make sure you have at least narrowed it down to 2 answers!

Tips for Short Answer Questions First, THESE ARE NOT ESSAYS, they are short answers. However, they are not short short answers! (one word or smart*ss phrase will not suffice!) First, THESE ARE NOT ESSAYS, they are short answers. However, they are not short short answers! (one word or smart*ss phrase will not suffice!) Read the question carefully and absorb all the words. These are written to your grade level! If you are not sure of a word for meaning, try and ask. Read the question carefully and absorb all the words. These are written to your grade level! If you are not sure of a word for meaning, try and ask. Answer all parts of the question! All you have to do to get a perfect score is 1) answer both parts and 2) have those answers make some sort of sense (EXPLAIN YOSELF!) Answer all parts of the question! All you have to do to get a perfect score is 1) answer both parts and 2) have those answers make some sort of sense (EXPLAIN YOSELF!)

Example: Short Answer question Question: How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? Explain your answer with an example. Question: How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? Explain your answer with an example.

BREAKDOWN First, you should have some knowledge of concepts…(if you don’t, try to come up with some) First, you should have some knowledge of concepts…(if you don’t, try to come up with some) Uneven distribution…of resources Uneven distribution…of resources Cooperation? Cooperation? Examples of where this happens? (can be made up to fit) Examples of where this happens? (can be made up to fit) This knowledge will help you formulate your response. If you have little or no knowledge, you should still do your best to try and answer! This knowledge will help you formulate your response. If you have little or no knowledge, you should still do your best to try and answer!

BREAKDOWN Next, you have two questions… Next, you have two questions… How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? Explain your answer with an example Explain your answer with an example You must attempt to answer both parts! You only get half credit if you only answer one correctly! You must attempt to answer both parts! You only get half credit if you only answer one correctly!

Sample Response Question: How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? Explain your answer with an example. Question: How can the uneven geographical distribution of Earth’s natural resources lead to cooperation among countries? Explain your answer with an example. Score of 2 Score of 2 It will make countries trade and form trade alliances. For example, Saudi Arabia has oil but not a lot of food resources and the US has a lot of food resources but not oil. They will agree not to fight and trade these goods amongst each other. It will make countries trade and form trade alliances. For example, Saudi Arabia has oil but not a lot of food resources and the US has a lot of food resources but not oil. They will agree not to fight and trade these goods amongst each other. Score of 1 Score of 1 If one country needs something that another country possesses, then the two countries need to work together and make a deal If one country needs something that another country possesses, then the two countries need to work together and make a deal Score of 0 Score of 0 If there’s an uneven distribution of resources there would be fighting. If it were even, there would be peace. If there’s an uneven distribution of resources there would be fighting. If it were even, there would be peace.

BREAKDOWN Size matters not! It is a short answer and the space provided will only be about 8 to 10 lines maximum. Size matters not! It is a short answer and the space provided will only be about 8 to 10 lines maximum. So, there is not a word count, it is the quality of the answers (to both parts) you provide that will determine the score! So, there is not a word count, it is the quality of the answers (to both parts) you provide that will determine the score! It is not impossible to do this in 2 sentences IF YOUR answers are superb! It is not impossible to do this in 2 sentences IF YOUR answers are superb! Again, if your knowledge is lacking, try your best. You need only successfully answer one question to pass! Again, if your knowledge is lacking, try your best. You need only successfully answer one question to pass!

PRACTICE TEST (Sheet of Paper Please) We will be taking a brief practice exam today and Monday We will be taking a brief practice exam today and Monday Today we will take a Multiple Choice practice test Today we will take a Multiple Choice practice test Monday we will take a Short Answer practice test Monday we will take a Short Answer practice test This WILL BE GRADED (AND WILL COUNT TOWARD THE 4 th MP) and will be scored in standard DSTP format…PLEASE NUMBER your paper accordingly! This WILL BE GRADED (AND WILL COUNT TOWARD THE 4 th MP) and will be scored in standard DSTP format…PLEASE NUMBER your paper accordingly! There are questions in this test from ALL grade levels (meaning some are stupidly easy) There are questions in this test from ALL grade levels (meaning some are stupidly easy)