First Semester Exam
Second Grading Period 2015-16
January 11-14
STUDENT NAME ___________________________________DATE___________________ PERIOD______________
Social Studies – Grade 7
Read each question and choose the best answer. Be sure to mark all of your answers.
1
2
This map shows the —
A
population center can change over time
B
major bodies of water
C
similarities of the landforms across Texas
D borders of physical geographic regions
Using the map of Texas regions above and
your knowledge of Social Studies, which
statement about physical geography is true?
F
G “C” receives less rainfall annually than “B”
H “D” has more mountains than “B”
J
© SAISD
“A” has higher & dryer plains than “C”
“B” borders the Gulf of Mexico
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 1
Use the passage below to answer questions 3 & 4.
If the Tejas (Indians) asked for priests and desired baptism, the priests were to
remain there. And if the Tejas proved quite friendly and no danger was to be
expected at their hands, no large garrison was to be left behind; if, on the other
hand, they proved troublesome, as many soldiers should remain as seemed
needful, according to the advice and with the consent of Father Fray Damian
Manzanet. It was at no time necessary for the safety of the priests to leave soldiers
among the Tejas, for from the very first they welcomed us with so much affection
and good will, that they could hardly do enough to please us.
3
This letter was written in 1690 by a Spanish priest. Which issue of European colonization does this
author address?
A
Texas Indians would rather join the army as soldiers
B
Establishment of Catholic missions
C
Development of new towns and ranches
D Exploration of new territory west of Texas
4
What is the main idea of this passage?
F
Spanish missions were initially successful without the use of force.
G Many garrisons were built in Texas.
H Catholic priests left Texas because they were unpopular.
J
© SAISD
Texas Indians would rather join the army as soldiers.
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 2
Bryan-College Station, TX
Male
5
Female
Which demographic concept best explains why the age distribution for 20-24 is highest among all
other categories?
A
Migration
B
Death rate
C
Birth rate
D Pandemic
6
This image would be seen —
F
along desert landscapes
G in fishing and farming tribes
H on the Great Plains
J
© SAISD
deep within a forest with plenty of wood
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 3
7
Which statement below describes a Spanish
mission?
A
Barracks of soldiers in isolated areas along
trade routes
B
Vaqueros moving herds of cattle between
locations
C
A place of education, religious instruction,
and agriculture
10 Which Texas region is known to have an
abundance of rainfall, trees, rivers, and plenty
of vegetation?
F
Mountains and Basins
G North Central (Rolling) Plains
H High Plains
J
Piney Woods
D An area to buy, sell, or trade goods and
crops
8
In what year did Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
map the Texas coast?
F
1492
G 1519
H 1521
J
1607
Texas Rainfall
Regions
9
Average
Precipitation
Coastal Plains
40 inches
North Central
Plains
30 inches
Great Plains
22 inches
Mountain and
Basin
12 inches
Which conclusion below can be inferred from
this chart?
A
Mountain and Basin region flood more
often than other regions.
B
North Central Plains have the second
highest yearly temperatures.
C
Great Plains have the highest elevation of
all regions.
Tribe
Location
Technology
Karankawa
Coastal
Plains
Nets, spears,
wigwams
Comanche
???
Bow & Arrow,
teepee
11 Which statement below would best complete
the chart?
A
Coastal Plains
B
Rolling & Great Plains
C
Mountains and Basins
D Piney Woods
D Coastal Plains have the most vegetation of
all regions.
© SAISD
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 4
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal and are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.”
Excerpts from the Declaration of Independence
14 The purpose of the document above was to
establish —
F
12 Living in this population setting shown above
has the advantage of —
F
agriculture and ranching without the need
for irrigation
unalienable rights
G separation from Britain
H a process of listing grievances against the
right of the English king
J
a peace treaty with England
G Lower population density and coastal
shores
H having more job opportunities and better
infrastructure
J
not having access to education and basic
city services
15 Which statement below would suffragist
Elizabeth Cady Stanton agree with?
13 How were the Great Plains tribes different
from those who lived in the dwellings shown
above?
A
They lived in densely settled villages.
B
They were nomadic hunters.
C
They had permanent homes.
A
“He has never permitted her to exercise
her inalienable right to the elective
franchise.”
B
“No cruel and unusual punishments”
C
“Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise therefore...”
D “We mutually pledge to each other our
lives and scared honor…”
D They were sedentary farmers.
© SAISD
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 5
• Wanted to free Texas and Mexico
from Spain
18
The Constitution of 1824 created —
F
Texas as a separate state from Coahuila
• Inspired by Father Hidalgo
G a strong form of centralist government
• Republican Army of the North
H a representative federal republic
• Lost to the Spanish at the Battle
for Medina
J
more strict laws that cancelled contracts
16 The characteristics above best describe —
F
Freedom fighters
G Vaqueros
H Empresarios
J
Filibusters
G.T.T.
“No person shall be …deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of law”
-Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution
of 1787
17 Which statement from the United Mexican
States’ Constitution of 1824 shares the same
protection shown above?
A
B
C
No one shall be imprisoned, unless there
is reasonable ground to suppose him
criminal…
Protect and regulate the political liberty
of the press, in order that its exercises
may never be suspended…
No authority shall apply any form of
torture…
19
?
?
Depression
Fugitive from
the law
Cheap Land
Adventure
Analyze the table to choose the correct
subtitles for the left and right columns:
?,?
A
Push factors, Pull factors
B
Pull factors, Push factors
C
Migration, Immigration
D Law, Outcomes
D No authority shall give an order for the
search of any houses, papers, and other
effects of the inhabitants of the
Republic…
© SAISD
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 6
Use the following passage to answer
questions 7 & 8.
Austin
De Leon
??
20 Which of these best completes the Venn
diagram?
F
Federalists
G Empresarios
…I am told, that my object was to separate Texas from
Mexico and deliver it to the United States of the north,
which is absolutely false and without the shadow of
foundation besides being a great absurdity. In a
moment of irritation I said to the vice President that if the
evils of Texas were not remedied the public there would
remedy them of themselves, this irritated him very much
and my difficulties commenced. The truth is I lost
patience and was imprudent and of course to blame, for
patience is necessary in such cases…
My conscience is at rest — as an agent I did my duty, or,
only erred from excess of zeal to do it — good has
resulted even from that error if it was one.
-Stephen F. Austin, Letter to James F. Perry, 10 May 1834
H Filibusters
J
Centralists
22
Using the historical context surrounding
Austin’s letter, why might the Mexican
government not believe Austin’s position
stated in his letter?
F
Austin was a known liar and a bad
empresario.
G Anglo Americans had previously tried to
invade and take Texas away from Spain.
H Texan settlers sent Austin to demand its
independence from Mexico.
J
23
21 Using this sequence of events, which of the
following events took place next?
A
Law of April 6th
B
Fredonian Rebellion
C
Guerrero Decree
D
© SAISD
“El Grito” speech
Many Anglo settlers were no longer
happy with Federalist policies.
When Austin refers to “erred from excess of
zeal to do it,” how does this quote relate to
the first paragraph?
A
Austin did what was right only if he
demanded that Texas separate from
Mexico.
B
Austin was caught in a lie and changed
his story.
C
Austin challenged the Vice-President to
help Texans resolve their problems.
D It is Austin’s job to communicate Texan
concerns to the Mexican government.
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 7
Title: ?
•
•
•
•
26
José Gregorio Esparza
James Bowie
William B. Travis
José Toribio Losoya
Which of these would be the correct title for
the chart above?
F Mexican Field Commanders
G Centralist Supporters
H Defenders at the Alamo
J Prisoners of War from Goliad
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the
World—
24 Which description best explains how physical
geography affected the battle of San Jacinto?
F
The marsh lands were an excellent place
to hide when the Texans retreated.
G The hilltop gave the Texas army cover for
a surprise attack.
H The hilltop gave the Mexican army
advantage to hold back the Texan army.
J
The river was a barrier for Texas victory
on the battlefield.
25 What was the significance of the siege of the
Alamo?
A
An important Texas victory that ended
the war with Mexico
B
Santa Anna was killed during the battle
accidently
C
The massacre executed over 300
prisoners from Goliad
D Major defeat for Texas, but it gave the
Republic time to organize further
resistance
© SAISD
Fellow Citizens & compatriots—
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the
Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a
continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24
hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has
demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise,
the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort
is taken — I have answered the demand with a
cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from
the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat.
Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of
patriotism & everything dear to the American
character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch —
The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily &
will no doubt increase to three or four thousand
in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am
determined to sustain myself as long as possible
& die like a soldier who never forgets what is due
to his own honor & that of his country — Victory
or Death.
27
Why would the author write this letter?
A To explain why Santa Anna is the wrong
ruler for Texas
B To write down a final account of the
battle
C To be remembered and to request help
D To warn Texans of Santa Anna’s
approach and seek protection from the
Runaway Scrape
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 8
•
•
•
•
•
General Antonio Lopez de Santa
Anna…overturned the constitution of his
country, now offers us the cruel
alternative, either to abandon our homes,
acquired by so many privations, or submit
to the most intolerable of all tyranny, the
combined despotism [absolute rule] of the
sword and the priesthood.
It incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long
time, one of our citizens, for no other
cause but a zealous endeavor to procure
the acceptance of our constitution, and
the establishment of a state government.
It has failed and refused to secure, on a
firm basis, the right of trial by jury, that
palladium of civil liberty, and only safe
guarantee for the life, liberty, and
property of the citizen.
It has failed to establish any public system
of education…
It has suffered the military commandants,
stationed among us, to exercise arbitrary
acts of oppression and tyranny, thus
trampling upon the most sacred rights of
the citizens, and rendering the military
superior to the civil power.
29 Read the statements below. Which of these
show the events in the correct order as they
occurred?
A
Anahuac incident, Law of April 6th, Turtle
Bayou Resolutions, Constitution of 1824
B
Anahuac incident, Constitution of 1824,
Law of April 6th, Turtle Bayou Resolutions
C
Turtle Bayou Resolutions, Anahuac
incident, Constitution of 1824, Law of
April 6th
D Constitution of 1824, Law of April 6th,
Anahuac incident, Turtle Bayou
Resolutions
28 This passage explains —
F
the reasons for the Turtle Bayou
Resolutions after the Fredonia Rebellion
G the resolution to establish an
independent republic
H the federalist support to revise the
Constitution of 1824
J
the list of grievances Texas colonists had
about the current government
30 Using the river map above and your
knowledge of Social Studies, why would
Empresarios choose to settle their colonies
within the area inside the box?
F
Controlling the land made it easier to
establish a mission system and travel
along the coast.
G
The mountainous terrain provided for
natural defensive fortifications.
H Availability of water meant farms &
ranches could support crops, livestock, &
movement of goods.
J
© SAISD
The area was rich in minerals like gold
and silver, attracting a lot of settlers.
07 Social Studies First Semester Exam January 2016
Page 9