Social 30-2 Diploma Exam Preparation:

Part B Multiple-Choice Questions

The multiple-choice questions in the diploma exam are based on generalizations, key understandings, concepts, and related facts from your Social 30-2 course. These questions require you to recall information and then go beyond simple recall to apply knowledge and thinking skills. You must demonstrate that you understand social studies concepts; that you understand historical, political, and economic relationships; and that you can interpret and evaluate social studies information and ideas. General Tips for Multiple-Choice Questions

  • When first reading a multiple-choice question, locate and note the key words to help clarify the meaning of the question. Without looking at the alternatives, try to formulate an answer of your own. Your answer may be close to the correct alternative.

  • Do not hesitate to answer each question even if you are unsure of the correct answer. A penalty is not given for guessing the answer.

  • If you are stuck on a question, mark the alternatives that you know are incorrect and choose from those remaining, using logical guessing strategy. Think of the questions as challenges, and cultivate a positive attitude about your ability to answer them.

  • If time permits, you may wish to scan quickly the written response and multiple-choice sections of the examination because a question in one section may be a clue to a question in another section.

  • Have a good reason for changing an answer. Do not change an answer on a hunch. Do not waste your time looking for patterns of As, Bs, Cs, and Ds in the multiple-choice answers-there are none.

  • If you cannot answer a question in a few minutes, leave it and go to the next one. If you have time left at the end of the exam, then come back to these questions. Time management while writing the exam is important because you have a specified amount of time to complete the exam.

Specific Tips for Multiple-Choice Questions

  • Read the stem and think of an answer before you look at the options.

  • Read all options before making a choice.

  • If you are unsure of the answer, eliminate the obviously incorrect options, and test the remaining options for grammatical fit to the stem.

  • Scan for absolute qualifiers such as always or never because they often indicate a false option.  Options with often or sometimes are more likely true.

  • Do not guess. Eliminate as many alternatives as you can...then guess! NEVER leave the question blank.

Examples of Diploma Style Multiple-Choice Questions Multiple-choice questions are of various types, and each type requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding as well as to use your skills and processes differently. You should always read carefully each multiple-choice question and any source material. You may wish to use a highlighter or pencil to circle key words and ideas, to cross out choices that you know are wrong, or to jot a brief summary of what you have read. Think carefully about what you are reading. For example, ask yourself what the quotation you have just read or the map you have just examined is really telling you. Examples of Multiple Choice Questions

For some practice in writing the multiple choice part of the test, go to Exambank and enter the following username and password:
  • Username: phrd.adlc
  • Password: online
Understanding and Analysis Questions This type of question requires you to

  • apply your knowledge and understanding

  • use your skills to address questions that deal with important events, ideas, and people

  • think critically as you analyze information presented to you
  1. In a free-market economy, consumers can expect consumer prices to be low when
    1. goods are over-produced
    2. inflation rate exceeds the rate of wage increase
    3. the product is manufactured by only one or two companies
    4. resources needed to manufacture the product are scarce
Correct answer: A
Evaluation and Synthesis Questions This type of question requires you to

  • apply your knowledge and understanding

  • use your skills to select the "most appropriate" answer or to determine relationships among sources or ideas

When answering these "most appropriate answer" questions, be sure to read all four alternatives (A,B,C,D) carefully before choosing the answer you think is best.

Use the following information to answer question 2. Proposed Reforms

Proposal W: Nationalize fossil fuel production to regulate prices and reduce consumption.

Proposal X: Reduce corporate and personal taxation rates to stimulate economic expansion.

Proposal Y: Require persons receiving unemployment benefits to enroll in job skills enhancement programs to make
themselves more employable.

Proposal Z: Lower the age at which citizens become eligible to receive government pension benefits to encourage early retirements.

  1. In Canada, a person with right-wing ideological beliefs would most likely oppose which two of these proposed reforms?
    1. Proposal W and Proposal X
    2. Proposal W and Proposal Z
    3. Proposal X and Proposal Y
    4. Proposal Y and Proposal Z
Correct answer: B

Evaluation and Synthesis Questions This types of question requires you to

  • use bold-faced word such as most, mainly, or primarily to ensure the answer fits the question

  • choose among choices that are all correct to some degree to find one that fits more strongly than the others

 Use the following information to answer question 3.

  1. Taken together, these headlines focus most directly on which of the following research questions?

    1. Should citizens be required by law to vote in federal elections?

    2. To what extent should governments be held accountable to the public?

    3. To what extent should the news media be controlled by large corporations?

    4. Should limits be placed on how long a person can serve as an elected representative?

Correct answer: B