HiSET Social Studies Practice Test
Use our free HiSET Social Studies practice test to sharpen your skills. This section covers history, government, geography, and economics. Many questions include exhibits such as maps, charts, graphs, or short passages, so careful reading is essential. The correct answers are often found directly in the details provided.
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Question 1 of 30
From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, advances in manufacturing, communications, and transportation led to the Second Industrial Revolution. During this time, railroad networks in Europe and the United States became well-established.
Which of the following was likely a result of the Second Industrial Revolution?
Question 2 of 30
After over two centuries of isolation, Japan opened up to the world in the mid-19th The once-feudal society developed an army and constitution based on the German model, a bureaucracy based on the French model, and a parliament and navy based on the British model. By 1905, Japan’s political and economic reforms, as well as its victories in wars against China and Russia, had made it a peer to European nations.
Based on the paragraph, what was one effect of Japan’s modernization?
Question 3 of 30
Question 3 refers to the following graph.
Which of the following statements best explains the trend in military conscription between 1964 and 1966?
Question 4 of 30
Question 4 refers to the following passage, an excerpt from Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle (1905).
With one member trimming beef in a cannery, and another working in a sausage factory, the family had a first-hand knowledge of the great majority of Packingtown swindles. For it was the custom, as they found, whenever meat was so spoiled that it could not be used for anything else, either to can it or else to chop it up into sausage. With what had been told them by Jonas, who had worked in the pickle rooms, they could now study the whole of the spoiled-meat industry on the inside, and read a new and grim meaning into that old Packingtown jest—that they use everything of the pig except the squeal.
The passage above likely influenced the adoption of which Progressive Era reform?
Question 5 of 30
Questions 5 and 6 refer to the following poster published in the United States during the Second World War.
Image Source: National Archives at College Park , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Which of the following was this poster’s intended audience?
Question 6 of 30
Image Source: National Archives at College Park , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How did Americans on the home front contribute the activities described in the poster?
Question 7 of 30
Questions 7 and 8 refer to the following maps.
Which of the following is the most likely reason many African Americans left the South between 1900 and 1990?
Question 8 of 30
Which state experienced the largest percentage increase of African American residents between 1900 and 1990?
Question 9 of 30
Questions 9 and 10 refer to the following passage, an excerpt from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address (1933)
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself–nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
The phrase “present situation” refers to which historical event?
Question 10 of 30
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself–nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
What is something President Roosevelt did to help the nation “revive and prosper”?
Question 11 of 30
Questions 11 and 12 refer to the following passage, an excerpt from a speech given by President Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987.
As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind. . . . General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
In which city did President Reagan give this speech?
Question 12 of 30
As long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind. . . . General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
Why did President Reagan address General Secretary Gorbachev directly in his speech?
Question 13 of 30
Questions 13 and 14 refer to the following political cartoon published in 1892.
Image Source: Edward Linley Sambourne , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The political cartoon parodies which nation’s imperialist endeavor in Africa?
Question 14 of 30
Image Source: Edward Linley Sambourne , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How did European nations in the late 19th century settle their disputes regarding territorial claims in Africa?
Question 15 of 30
Questions 15 through 17 refer to the following map.
Image Source: Tataryn , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The map depicts which empire at its greatest territorial extent?
Question 16 of 30
Image Source: Tataryn , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
What did the empire depicted in the map build throughout its territory?
Question 17 of 30
Image Source: Tataryn , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The empire’s use of __________ as a building material helped many of its structures survive to the present day.
Question 18 of 30
In ancient China, emperors ruled under the Mandate of Heaven. The mandate stated that China only had one ruler at a time and that the gods blessed only virtuous rulers. European kings during the Middle Ages and Renaissance stated that god had chosen them to rule, giving them absolute authority.
Based on the passage, how were Chinese emperors and European kings similar?
Question 19 of 30
Question 19 refers to the following passage, an excerpt from President Andrew Johnson’s State of the Union Address (1868).
The attempt to place the white population under the domination of persons of color in the South has impaired, if not destroyed, the kindly relations that had previously existed between them: and mutual distrust has engendered a feeling of animosity which leading in some instances to collision and bloodshed, has prevented that cooperation between the two races so essential to the success of industrial enterprise in the Southern States.
The opinions expressed here suggest that Johnson came into conflict with which group of people during his presidency?
Question 20 of 30
Question 20 refers to the following map.
Image Source: NordNordWest, usingUbaid culture sites map.jpg by John D. CroftGroßer Atlas zur Weltgeschichte, Westermann SchulbuchverlagPutzger Historischer Weltaltas, Cornelsen Verlagdtv-Atlas Weltgeschichte, Deutscher Taschenbuch VerlagGTOPO-30 Elevation Data by USGS , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Which conclusion about Ubaid culture does the map support?
Question 21 of 30
Question 21 refers to the following map.
Image Source: Travels_of_Marco_Polo.svg: *Asie.svg: historicair 20:31, 20 November 2006 (UTC)derivative work: Classical geographer (talk)derivative work: Classical geographer , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The map traces the journey of _____________ between 1271 and 1295.
Question 22 of 30
Question 22 refers to the following paragraph and chart.
In the United States, people can register to vote at age 18. The U.S. government does not require citizens to register to vote in their state or vote in local or federal elections. The chart below shows the percentage of California residents who were registered to vote in elections between 2010 and 2018. The chart breaks down this information by ethnic group.
Which of the following statements about trends in voter registration between 2014 and 2018 is supported by the chart?
Question 23 of 30
The U.S. Supreme Court has significant influence over the government’s function and role. Each year, justices review cases challenging the constitutionality of laws and actions. Decisions can make an immediate impact, such as overturning established law.
From which of the following documents does the U.S. Supreme Court gain its authority?
Question 24 of 30
Question 24 refers to the following text, a passage from The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu (1748).
When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
How did the Founding Fathers use Montesquieu’s ideas when writing the Constitution?
Question 25 of 30
Question 25 refers to the following passage, the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
AMENDMENT XIII
Section 1.
Section 2.
Which person does the Thirteenth Amendment not protect from “slavery or involuntary servitude”?
Question 26 of 30
Question 26 refers to the following table.
Differences between _________________
Eligible citizens vote for representatives.
Representatives follow a constitution.
One person holds all political power.
The leader’s child becomes a successor.
Which statement best completes the table’s title?
Question 27 of 30
Questions 27 and 28 refer to the following text, a description of a Supreme Court case.
In 2010, the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission went before the Supreme Court. The plaintiffs claimed that the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) was unconstitutional. The BCRA, passed in 2002, limited certain political advertising within 30-60 days of a federal election and set limits on campaign spending. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the BCRA as unconstitutional.
Which amendment from the Bill of Rights did the five justices who struck down the BCRA use to justify their decision?
Question 28 of 30
In 2010, the case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission went before the Supreme Court. The plaintiffs claimed that the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) was unconstitutional. The BCRA, passed in 2002, limited certain political advertising within 30-60 days of a federal election and set limits on campaign spending. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the BCRA as unconstitutional.
What was a likely outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ?
Question 29 of 30
Question 29 refers to the following text, part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy Speech” (December 8, 1941).
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation…I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Which constitutional responsibility is President Roosevelt exercising in this part of the speech?
Question 30 of 30
During the Roman Republic, the Assembly vested executive power in two consuls. These men shared responsibilities, such as leading armies in battle. They could also veto the other’s decisions. This system was designed to ensure that no one man could become a king or dictator.
How does the U.S. government’s structure or function resemble that of the Roman Republic?
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