Preparing for the GED Social Studies test requires a comprehensive study guide, and understanding how to tackle different question types is key to your success. Let’s delve into a sample question focused on U.S. Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny, a frequently tested topic. This example will illustrate how inference questions are structured within the GED Social Studies exam and guide you on the best approach to answer them effectively.
Understanding Inference Questions on the GED
Inference questions are designed to test your ability to understand what is implied, but not explicitly stated, in a text. You need to read between the lines and draw conclusions based on the evidence provided. These questions are common in the GED Social Studies test because they assess critical reading and analytical skills necessary for understanding historical documents and viewpoints.
Sample Question Breakdown
Let’s analyze a sample question based on an excerpt from a U.S. government report about U.S. westward expansion and Manifest Destiny. This type of question presents you with an inference related to the text, and your task is to identify which statement from the report provides the strongest evidence to support that inference.
Read the excerpt below and answer the question that follows.
This information is from a 2004 U.S. General Accounting Office report.
U.S. Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny
After the establishment of the U.S. government in 1789, the United States steadily acquired land. The new government promoted settlement and expansion south to Florida and west to California.
In 1845, editor John L. O’Sullivan coined the phrase “manifest destiny.” This phrase described what had become a national movement to promote expansion and “civilize” persons encountered along the way. According to O’Sullivan, the claim to new territory was a right given to Americans by God. He believed that “it is a right such as that of the tree to the space of air and earth suitable for the…destiny of growth.” In the years since, some people have contended that this Manifest Destiny ideology was a form of racism.
O’Sullivan called on Americans to resist any foreign power that tried to interfere with “the fulfilment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence…” O’Sullivan further argued that such God-given favor gave white Americans the right to bring the benefits of democracy to what he considered more backward peoples, meaning Mexicans and [American] Indians, by force if necessary.
Question Overview
The question based on this excerpt will likely ask you to identify a statement that supports an inference about Manifest Destiny. For instance, it might ask:
Which of the following statements from the report best supports the inference that Manifest Destiny was used to justify the forceful expansion of the United States?
To answer this type of question correctly, you need to:
- Understand the Inference: Clearly grasp what the question is asking you to infer. In our example, the inference is that Manifest Destiny justified forceful expansion.
- Analyze the Excerpt: Carefully reread the provided text, specifically looking for statements that relate to the inference.
- Match Evidence: Identify the statement from the excerpt that most directly supports the inference. Look for keywords and phrases that align with the idea of forceful expansion and justification.
Why this is important for your Ged Social Studies Study Guide
Understanding concepts like Manifest Destiny and practicing with sample inference questions are crucial components of your GED Social Studies study guide. By working through examples like this, you sharpen your test-taking skills and deepen your comprehension of U.S. history. Remember to focus on identifying the main idea, understanding implied meanings, and supporting your answers with textual evidence. Effective use of a GED social studies study guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to succeed on the exam.
