School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Item: Public Release items have appeared on HSA forms and then are released for public viewing and use. Releasing items is one step to ensuring that schools, districts, and other stakeholders understand how the core learning goals are assessed on the HSA.

Goal 2 Peoples Of The Nation And World

Expectation 2.1 The student will evaluate the interdependent relationship of United States politics and government to world affairs.

Indicator 2.1.2 The student will evaluate the effectiveness of international alliances and organizations from the perspective of the United States.

Assessment Limits:

  • United Nations and other organizations categorized as:
    • Security — North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    • Economic — North American Free Trade
    • Agreement, International Monetary Fund, World Bank
    • Humanitarian — International Red Cross
  • Issues of national sovereignty, self-determination, and human rights on U.S. Interdependent relationships.
  • Other examples of alliances and organizations in which the United States participates may be used, but information will be provided in the item.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Which of these is a purpose of the International Red Cross?

  1. to assist people who are victims of war
  2. to make trade agreements with businesses
  3. to provide military aid to countries being invaded
  4. to loan money to countries with economic problems
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_212_gov18.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

How was trade among the United States, Mexico, and Canada changed by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

  1. Tariffs on all goods and services were reduced.
  2. Strict trade licensing requirements were imposed.
  3. Higher quotas on goods and services were established.
  4. Inspections of shipments across international borders were eliminated.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_212_gov35.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

The International Red Cross would most likely become involved in

  1. providing weapons to a military ally
  2. helping refugees get food and shelter
  3. creating trade agreements among nations
  4. giving money to nations for economic developments
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_212_gov40.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

The World Bank is most associated with which of the following activities?

  1. supplying medical care after natural disasters
  2. providing loans for capital improvements
  3. supporting political candidates
  4. offering military expertise
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_212_gov08.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Read the newspaper article below.

The action described in the article is most directly related to which of the following goals of the United Nations?

  1. to suppress acts of aggression
  2. to develop diplomatic relations
  3. to foster worldwide cooperation
  4. to promote economic progress
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_212_gov36.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

The United States most likely joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to

  1. provide medical care to developing nations
  2. increase economic stability in other nations
  3. create a military alliance with member nations
  4. establish a single currency among member nations
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_212_gov22.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these statements about the United Nations (UN) is true?

  1. Its membership rules exclude poor nations.
  2. Its policies discourage international cooperation.
  3. Its councils elect leaders for many nations.
  4. Its goals include international stability.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_212_gov32.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these is a purpose of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

  1. to create a common currency among member nations
  2. to forgive the international debt of member nations
  3. to eliminate most tariffs among member nations
  4. to provide relief for refugees of war in member nations
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_212_gov48.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

A bill was introduced in Congress to stop aid to countries that oppose United States policy in the United Nations General Assembly.

Which of these issues most directly relates to this bill?

  1. influencing policies in world organizations
  2. encouraging peaceful solutions to military conflicts
  3. providing industrial assistance to developing nations
  4. developing world solutions to environmental problems
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_212_gov53.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Which of these statements about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is true?

  1. Members are required to open their borders to immigrants from other nations.
  2. Members are prevented from conducting trade with non-member nations.
  3. An armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members.
  4. An executive panel controls legislation passed in member nations.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_212_gov02.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

The United States signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to

  1. decrease trade with European and Asian countries
  2. decrease American investment in overseas markets
  3. increase tariffs placed on products made in Mexico
  4. increase trade opportunities for domestic businesses
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_212_gov51.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Which of these was formed as a security alliance among the United States and its Western European allies?

  1. the United Nations
  2. the International Red Cross
  3. the International Monetary Fund
  4. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_212_gov17.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Which of these is an action the International Monetary Fund takes to help developing nations?

  1. stabilizing currencies
  2. supplying medical care
  3. resolving border disputes
  4. providing medical technology
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_212_gov30.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

The World Bank's support of government services most directly affects developing nations'

  1. economies
  2. military institutions
  3. currencies
  4. foreign policy
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_212_gov46.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Which of these does the International Red Cross provide in time of war?

  1. health care to prisoners of war
  2. trained personnel to assist in combat
  3. military protection to nations surrounding war zones
  4. ambassadors to help warring nations reach peaceful agreements
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_212_gov01.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Which of these is the main goal of both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund?

  1. to improve the economies of member nations
  2. to promote democratic reforms in member nations
  3. to increase reliance on agriculture in member nations
  4. to support the educational institutions of member nations
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_212_gov26.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Why did the United States government most likely sign the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

  1. to expand the economy
  2. to establish a military alliance
  3. to provide direct funding to foreign countries
  4. to improve the transportation system between member countries
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_212_gov39.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Which of these was the main purpose of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of 1993?

  1. to weaken Mexico's economy
  2. to attract United States workers to Mexico
  3. to encourage Mexican companies to move to Canada
  4. to open markets between the United States and Mexico
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_212_gov02.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2007

Read the information below and use it to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

The World Health Organization, of which the United States is a member, is an agency of the United Nations formed to help people achieve “the highest possible levels of health.” It has contributed to the reduction of some diseases. Its services include training medical personnel and sponsoring medical research.

  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages to the United States of being a member of the World Health Organization.
  • Should the United States be concerned about health care in other countries? Explain why or why not.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_212_gov06.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

The United Nations was organized to

  1. decrease trade barriers
  2. prevent further world wars
  3. establish a military alliance
  4. create a single world currency
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_212_gov29.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Read the news headline below

The headline is most associated with which of these goals?

  1. to increase migration
  2. to form military forces
  3. to overthrow governments
  4. to stop human rights abuses
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_212_gov31.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

Which of these would most likely be involved in resolving a border dispute between China and Vietnam?

  1. United Nations
  2. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  3. International Red Cross
  4. North American Free Trade Agreement
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_212_gov08.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2008

Read the information below and use it to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

Question Image

  • Why does the International Monetary Fund (IMF) support debt relief for poor countries?
  • Explain whether or not you think Congress should support the bill.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_212_gov21.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

Read the information below.

The mission of the International Red Cross is “… to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance.”

According to its mission, the Red Cross would most likely be involved in which of these activities?

  1. holding peace talks
  2. creating defense alliances
  3. visiting prisoner of war camps
  4. trying military leaders for war crimes
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_212_gov39.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) would most likely be involved in

  1. managing failing companies
  2. developing immigration policies
  3. providing financial assistance to member countries
  4. funding candidates in political campaigns
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_212_gov53.xml

Correct Answer:
C