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 3 Geography

Expectation 3.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of cultural and physical geographic factors in the development of government policy.

Indicator 3.1.1 The student will evaluate demographic factors related to political participation, public policy and government policies.

Assessment Limits:

  • Political causes and effects of reapportionment, redistricting and voting patterns.
  • Influence of demographic factors on government funding decisions.

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Study the graph below.

Which region probably required the largest increase in overall government services between 1980 and 2000?

  1. the Northeast
  2. the Midwest
  3. the South
  4. the West
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_311_gov05.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Between 1946 and 1964, a large population increase, known as the "baby boom," occurred in the United States.

Which of these federal agencies will probably be most affected by the aging of these "baby boomers"?

  1. the Department of Labor
  2. the Social Security Administration
  3. the Agriculture Department
  4. the Federal Trade Commission
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_311_gov06.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2001

Which of these is the most likely impact on counties experiencing population growth?

  1. a decrease in revenue from local sales tax
  2. a decrease in housing costs
  3. an increase in the need for public services
  4. an increase in school closings
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2001_311_gov40.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Look at the graph below.

Increasing the budget for which of these programs would most help the United States government prepare for the trend shown in the graph?

  1. defense
  2. education
  3. social security
  4. employment opportunities
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_311_gov13.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

The population of Massachusetts has increased since 1970, but its representation in Congress has declined.

Which of these best explains why this has happened?

  1. A large number of people in Massachusetts are not citizens.
  2. A large number of people in Massachusetts have not registered to vote.
  3. Massachusetts has chosen not to send representatives to the national government.
  4. Population growth in Massachusetts has not kept pace with the growth of other states.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_311_gov38.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2003

Which of these local population statistics would be most useful in deciding where to construct a public high school?

  1. political party identity
  2. family composition
  3. occupation
  4. religion
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2003_311_gov44.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these sources would be most reliable for determining interstate migration patterns?

  1. public school records
  2. voter registration cards
  3. property tax assessments
  4. government census counts
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_311_gov20.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

Which of these is an example of government funding based on population?

  1. City councils award contracts to waste management companies.
  2. The federal government gives grant money for environmental clean up.
  3. School districts receive money from the state for each student enrolled.
  4. A state approves placing stoplights at busy intersections.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_311_gov40.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Read the news article excerpt below.

The bill described in the excerpt above is an example of

  1. federal needs overriding state laws
  2. government ownership of power companies
  3. national legislation addressing a regional concern
  4. environmental groups supporting national legislation
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_311_gov55.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2004

A toy company is moving its main production plant to a Maryland county.

Which of these would be the most likely effect on the county?

  1. an increase in the number of elderly residents
  2. an increase in the need for government services
  3. a decline in job opportunities
  4. a decline in school enrollment
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2004_311_gov42.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2005

In some eastern Arizona counties, the largest segment of the population is under 18 years of age. By contrast, in some western counties of Arizona, a large segment of the population is 65 years or older.

  • Based on the information above, describe likely government goals in both eastern and western Arizona.
     
  • Why do larger population groups tend to have more influence on government policy?
     
  • Include details and examples to support your response.
     
Write your answer on the lines in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_311_gov06.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

Which of these activities is most likely a part of the United States Census?

  1. polling experts to establish foreign policy
  2. inspecting businesses to enforce safety laws
  3. surveying homes to determine population figures
  4. training workers to increase industrial productivity
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_311_gov36.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2005

In 2000, the population of Frederick County, Maryland, was 195,277, which was an increase of 30 percent from 1990.

Which of these contributed to the change in population?

  1. approval of development plans by local county officials
  2. implementation of strict environmental regulations
  3. adoption of higher property tax rates
  4. establishment of farmland preservation plans
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2005_311_gov44.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2002

Study the map below. Then answer the following question.

  • Explain why the members of the Maryland General Assembly would support funding to build major league baseball and football stadiums in densely populated areas rather than in lightly populated areas.
  • Consider economic, geographic, and political issues.
  • Include details and examples to support your answer.
Write your answer on the lines in the answer box below.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_311_gov14.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Look at the chart below. Then answer the following:

Which of these areas would most likely have experienced the greatest decline in tax revenue since 1970?

  1. Baltimore City
  2. Baltimore County
  3. Montgomery County
  4. Prince Georges County
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_311_gov28.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Look at the chart below. Then answer the following:

According to the chart, which of these areas most likely had to increase government spending for services from 1970 to 2000?

  1. Baltimore City
  2. Baltimore County
  3. Montgomery County
  4. Prince Georges County
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_311_gov29.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2002

Over the past fifty years, many Americans have moved from the Northeast and the Midwest to the South and the West.

As a result of this population shift, the South and the West have gained influence in

  1. the Senate
  2. the Supreme Court
  3. the State Department
  4. the House of Representatives
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2002_311_gov36.xml

Correct Answer:
D

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

Which of these government responsibilities is most related to the United States Census?

  1. maintaining national defense
  2. protecting the environment
  3. ensuring fair political representation
  4. establishing criminal justice procedures
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_311_gov25.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

The Maryland State Highway Administration is considering a plan to widen three miles of a major route from two lanes to six lanes.

Which of these most likely caused this planned action?

  1. a decrease in trucking
  2. an increase in population
  3. an increase in unemployment rates
  4. a decrease in construction work
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_311_gov31.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2006

If tax revenues decrease, what would be the effect on the state of Maryland?

  1. Maryland would reduce tax rates.
  2. Retail businesses would lower prices.
  3. Maryland would reduce funding for some programs.
  4. The federal government would replace lost income from taxes.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_311_gov38.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Brief Constructed Response (BCR) Item - Released in 2006

Study the graph below and use it to answer the BRIEF CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE that follows.

  • Using the information in the bar graph, identify funding decisions the Maryland General Assembly would make regarding money for local governments.
  • Describe the effects these decisions would have on local government decisions.
  • Include details from the graph to support your answer.

Write your answer on the lines in your Answer Book.

/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2006_311_gov46.xml

View Scoring Information

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Read the news article excerpt below.

Which of these government responsibilities is most closely related to the activity described in the excerpt?

  1. protecting public safety
  2. promoting economic growth
  3. protecting individual liberties
  4. promoting regional cooperation
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_311_gov32.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Reapportionment is based on changes in the

  1. wealth of an area
  2. boundaries of an area
  3. population of an area
  4. number of voters in an area
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_311_gov37.xml

Correct Answer:
C

Selected Response Item - Released in 2007

Look at the chart below.

Which of these is an effect of the population changes shown on the chart?

  1. The amount of rural land will increase.
  2. Local government services will increase.
  3. The tax revenue from personal property will decrease.
  4. Real estate development in the region will decrease.
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2007_311_gov56.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

Which of these could result if a state’s population declined over time?

  1. increased funding from Congress for social programs
  2. reduced representation in the House of Representatives
  3. reduced representation in the United States Senate
  4. greater number of electors to the Electoral College
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_311_gov06.xml

Correct Answer:
B

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

According to the 2000 census, the population of Frederick County increased by 30 percent since 1990.

Which of these most likely occurred as a result of the population change?

  1. more school construction
  2. less tax revenue
  3. less housing construction
  4. more open space
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_311_gov17.xml

Correct Answer:
A

Selected Response Item - Released in 2008

The United States Census Bureau projects that the percentage of people over 85 years old will triple in the next fifty years.

What federal government action could best help the United States adjust to this demographic trend?

  1. granting college scholarships to low-income students
  2. providing low-interest loans to first-time home buyers
  3. increasing the minimum wage
  4. funding health care services
/share/clg/xml/public_release/government/2008_311_gov20.xml

Correct Answer:
D