Midterm Exam Study Package

What to expect:


Part A: 25 Multiple Choice Questions-/25

  • Some questions ask you specific information about material you studied in the course; make sure you study your vocabulary terms and can apply these terms to various examples.
  • Many are source based questions (picture, cartoon, diagram or reading like different speakers) and that info will be needed to answer the question.
Review multiple choice exam strategies here.

Part B: Written Response #1-/10

Make sure you review your WR-Assignment 1 Tutorial here.
  1. You are given some vocabulary terms and are asked to choose which word/ words are most important. This question is personal; there isn’t one right answer. Many of the words given are significant, but you have to decide which ones are most important in your mind.
  2. Choose one to three words and explain why they are important. To support your choices, use evidence from Social Studies 20-2 course content or current events. Choose words that you understand and can relate to the question with examples.

    **Tip: DO NOT pick more than three words! Students who try to write about four or five or six words almost always say very little about anything and then they get a lower mark.

Example: “What characteristics are most important to Canadian identity?” From a selection of words you may chose “Multiculturalism” as an important part of Canadian identity. You would then want to give some specific evidence to show how multiculturalism is important – “Multiculturalism policy officially adopted in Canada in 1971 under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.”


Written Response #2-/20

Make sure you review the WR-Assignment 2 Tutorial here. 
  1. This question gives you three sources. You are asked to interpret them and then relate the sources to a specific question. The sources will be pictures, political cartoons, diagrams, or readings. You have no way of knowing what kinds of sources you’ll get here, but the question that goes with them will have something to do with nationalism or words related to nationalism (such as ultranationalism).
  2. Examples and their explanation in connecting to the specific question are important. Any relevant examples from the course and current events will make your position stronger and help you get a higher mark.

    **Tip: It is best to write about each source separately (one paragraph each) and then sum up with a paragraph where you take a position on the question.

How can I study?

  • Don’t try to memorize a bunch of facts and/or details. Most of the questions ask you to use supplementary material, so they aren’t asking you for specific details. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go over your materials. It is important to go over the important concepts in your course so that you know you understand them.
  • There are also many definitions/terms that you should be sure you know. It’s more important that you understand them and can use them effectively in your writing.
  • Revisit Unit Reviews - to give you an understanding of which concepts you need to review and which you are comfortable with.
  • Look over old assignments:
Many of the discussion postings ask you to take a position on a subject, therefore they may give some ideas or examples that you can use in your writing.

  • Explain important concepts and topics to someone else. It could a parent, sibling, or a friend. Teaching to others forces you to become an ‘expert’ on the topic.
  • Current events – watch or listen to the news as part of your exam preparation. You’d be surprised how many current events relate to information in your course (Think about the idea of current revolutions going on in the world and relate to your understanding of the French Revolution.)

What should you know going into the midterm exam?


Important Definitions (you can find these in the back of module booklets or in the course material online)

  • self-determination
  • ultranationalism
  • pluralism
  • propaganda
  • patriotism
  • militarism
  • isolationism

It is worthwhile to go over all definitions (found at the back of module booklets or at the beginning of each unit online). Be sure you can use them correctly in a sentence and understand what they mean.

Basic Concepts/Ideas that you must understand and be familiar with

  • Know the basic details and facts about
    • The French Revolution
    • Nazism in Germany
    • Ultranationalism in Japan
    • World War I
  • Know the difference between
    • nationalism vs ultranationalism
    • civic vs ethnic nationalism and what a non-nationalist loyalty means
  • Know the different aspects of nation (From Unit 1 – Politics, Language, Geography, Culture, Religion, Relationship to Land, Spirituality, Ethnicity)
  • Understand how people can have loyalties to more than one nation and how this can cause difficulties

For each of the above, try to think of examples that go with each concept. Don’t simply memorize the term, try to learn or relearn a couple of examples using history or world events. It is likely these examples can be used for the written questions of the exam.

General Exam Tips:

  • Prepare in advance – spread out your course review, try not to “cram” the night before
  • Eat well – feed your brain!!
  • Stay hydrated – water is best
  • Sleep – it will help your brain file/store important information and make it easier for you to recall (amazing, right?!)