Name __________________________________________________ Date ______________________________
Assessment: Life in the Colonies
Mastering the Content
Circle the letter next to the best answer.
1. How did the Great Awakening in the 1730s prepare the colonists for the American Revolution?
A. It established an army.
B. It created anti-colonial sentiment.
C. It required colonists to pay heavy taxes.
D. It encouraged the ideals of liberty and equality.
2. Which of these English traditions was adopted in the 13 colonies?
A. monarchy
B. Parliament
C. political parties
D. self-government
3. What was an effect of Magna Carta in England?
A. It limited the power of the king.
B. It established a democratic government.
C. It allowed Parliament to impose taxes.
D. It established a Bill of Rights for the citizens.
4. How did the establishment of Parliament strengthen the rights of English citizens?
A. Citizens were able to choose the monarch.
B. The king was denied power over citizens.
C. Citizens determined whether laws would be passed.
D. Laws were made by representatives of the citizens.
5. What was a main goal of education for students in the New England colonies?
A. to be able to read the Bible
B. to become political leaders
C. to be prepared to attend college
D. to become wealthy landowners
6. Which right did the English Bill of Rights provide?
A. to petition the king
B. to determine national holidays
C. to choose punishments for crimes
D. to choose the kind of school children would attend
7. Why was the English Bill of Rights important to the colonists?
A. It defined crimes and punishments.
B. It spelled out what was due to the colonists as English citizens.
C. It gave the colonists the ability to choose members of Parliament.
D. It ended the king's power to appoint colonial governors.
8. The Middle Passage refers to
A. the ocean crossing of the slaves.
B. the route taken to reach New York.
C. a step in climbing the social ladder.
D. a system of trade between the colonies.
9. Which of these is true about slavery in the colonies?
A. Laws were written to abolish slavery.
B. It expanded throughout the colonies.
C. It was limited to the Southern colonies.
D. Northern slaves were freed and returned to Africa.
10. Which belief spurred the Great Awakening?
A. People have lost their faith.
B. Farm life is better than city life.
C. Women are not as educated as men.
D. Success comes from making money.
11. What slowed the growth of public education in the Middle Colonies?
A. lack of materials
B. discipline problems
C. religious differences
D. little interest in education
12. Which of these shows the chronological order of the founding of these concepts?
A. Parliament, English Bill of Rights, Magna Carta, Great Awakening
B. Magna Carta, Great Awakening, English Bill of Rights, Parliament
C. English Bill of Rights, Parliament, Magna Carta
D. Magna Carta, Parliament, English Bill of Rights, Great Awakening
13. What event became known as the Glorious Revolution?
A. Slaves rebelled and escaped to freedom.
B. African leaders ended slave trade with Europeans.
C. Parliament was formed with the cooperation of the king.
D. The king was overthrown and Parliament retained lawmaking powers.
14. In which way were colonial public schools like the public schools of today?
A. The schools taught reading and writing.
B. The schools were paid for with tax dollars.
C. Teachers were hired by the parents.
D. All children were required to attend.
15. How did a colonist achieve a higher class in colonial society?
A. by making a lot of money
B. by going to church regularly
C. by working for a landowner
D. by inheriting an important title
16. What were the expectations of English colonists in America?
A. They expected to be governed by the English king.
B. They expected the same rights as English citizens.
C. They expected to denounce their English citizenship.
D. They expected to be able to choose the leader of Parliament.
Applying Social Studies Skills
Use the illustration and your knowledge of history to answer the questions.
17. Which of these colonies is most likely pictured in this illustration?
A. Georgia
B. Virginia
C. Rhode Island
D. Massachusetts
18. Briefly explain why you believe the colony you chose is shown in the illustration.
19. List one aspect of colonial life that can be observed in the illustration.
Exploring the Essential Question: What was life really like in the colonies?
Follow the directions to complete the item below.
20. Suppose you recently moved to the colonies from England. You want to write a letter to your family in
England describing your life in the colonies. In your letter, do the following:
• Focus on daily activities, including work, leisure, and family. (Decide whether you live in the city or on a
farm.)
• Include your views on recent news in the colonies regarding public education and slavery.
• Ask questions of your family regarding the English Bill of Rights and the work of Parliament.
Also make sure to convey your ideas clearly, using standard English.