Grade 10
DOK 1
SS.912.C.3.3: Analyze the structures, functions, and processes of the legislative branch as
described in Article I of the Constitution.
Stem: How is the number of U.S. representatives for each state determined?
In rationale boxes:
In exemplar boxes:
[Blank: do not add
any information to
this box]
Correct answer is
limited to:
by population, by
state population
[Blank: do not add
any information to
this box]
Incorrect answer is
limited to:
anything but by
(state) population
Grade 10
DOK 1
SS.912.C.1.5: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of
government, law, and the American political system. Evaluate how the Constitution and its
amendments reflect the political principles of rule of law, checks and balances,
separation of powers, republicanism, democracy, and federalism.
Stem: Which constitutional principle can be defined as a “system that attempts to protect the
rights of citizens from arbitrary and abusive use of government authority”?
A. rule of law
B. ways and means
C. separation of powers
D. checks and balances
Rationales:
A. Correct. The rule of law effectively prohibits the arbitrary use of authority.
B. While ways and means is a frequently used governmental term, it refers to the methods and
resources used in raising revenue.
C. While separation of powers is a constitutional principle, it mainly refers to preventing power
from being concentrated in one branch or one level of government.
D. While checks and balances is a constitutional principle, it refers to the methods of limiting
power of one governmental branch by one (or more) of the other branches.
Grade 10
DOK 2
SS.912.C.1.5: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of
government, law, and the American political system. Evaluate how the Constitution and its
amendments reflect the political principles of rule of law, checks and balances,
separation of powers, republicanism, democracy, and federalism.
CCSS Code: LACC.910.RH.1.2
Lead­in: Read this citation from Charles Montesquieu and answer the question below.
“But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to
carry his authority as far as it will go.” – Montesquieu, the Spirit of Laws, Book XI
Stem: How did this citation from Montesquieu influence the writing of the U.S. Constitution?
A. by encouraging a separation of political powers
B. by establishing the principle of popular sovereignty
C. by promoting a form of democratic government
D. by furthering the preservation of natural rights
Rationales:
A. Correct. Montesquieu’s writing influenced the Founders to incorporate separation of powers in
the Constitution, delegating specific powers to specific branches of the federal government.
B. While the principle of popular sovereignty was established in the Constitution in the preamble,
it was not influenced by this citation from Montesquieu.
C. While a form of democratic government was established in the Constitution through the
electoral process, it was not influenced by this citation from Montesquieu.
D. While the preservation of natural rights was established in the Constitution through the Bill of
Rights, it was not influenced by this citation from Montesquieu.
Grade 10
DOK 2
SSUSH14: The student will explain America’s evolving relationship with the world at the turn of
the twentieth century.
Stem: Which phrase best describes a motivation for the United States to enter the
Spanish­American War?
A. a desire to liberate subject peoples of the world
B. a desire to become more involved in European affairs
C. a desire to profit internationally from its growing strength
D. a desire to protect the Western Hemisphere from foreign powers
Rationales:
A. While the United States has always claimed to support certain ideals, it has not always
practiced them, as was the case in the Philippines, which merely traded one colonial overlord for
another.
B. While the United States was looking to expand its power, it was not necessarily looking to
enter the European sphere of influence, as this was very much dominated by Britain, France,
and Germany.
C. Correct. A growing sense of imperialist thought coupled with emerging commercial, military,
and industrial power led the United States to engage with a weaker Spanish Empire over her
international interests, especially in Cuba and the Philippines.
D. While the Monroe Doctrine had gained strength since its original issuance (and particularly
since the close of the Civil War), Spanish colonies in the Western Hemisphere predated the
Doctrine itself (and thus wouldn’t apply). Moreover, Spain had not established any new colonies
(and, in fact, had lost most of its South American empire) in the 19th century.
Grade 10
DOK 3
SS.912.C.1.5: Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of
government, law, and the American political system. Evaluate how the Constitution and its
amendments reflect the political principles of rule of law, checks and balances,
separation of powers, republicanism, democracy, and federalism.
Stem: Contrast republicanism and democracy as forms of government, and explain how the
government of the United States reflects elements of both forms.
Scoring Rubric and Exemplar
Rubric:
6
A score of six indicates that the student has
demonstrated a thorough understanding of
the social studies concepts applicable to the
prompt. The response demonstrates a
thorough understanding of the connections
between the social studies concepts and the
real­life application. The student has provided
a complete and correct response to all parts
of the prompt. The appropriate social studies
terminology is used correctly. There are no
major conceptual errors, though there may be
non­detracting minor conceptual errors.
5
A score of five indicates that the student has
demonstrated an understanding of the social
studies concepts applicable to the prompt.
The response demonstrates an
understanding of the connections between
the social studies concepts and the real­life
application. The student has provided a
complete and correct response to all parts of
the prompt. The appropriate social studies
terminology is used. There are no major
conceptual errors, though there may be minor
conceptual errors.
4
A score of four indicates that the student has
demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of
the social studies concepts applicable to the
prompt. The response may attempt
connections between the social studies
concepts and the real life application. The
student provided complete and correct
responses to most parts of the prompt. There
are minor errors in the use of social studies
terminology. There are minor conceptual
errors or omission.
3
A score of three indicates that the student has
demonstrated a limited understanding of the
social studies concepts applicable to the
prompt. The response demonstrates a limited
attempt to make connections between the
social studies concepts and the real life
application. The student attempted to provide
a response to two or more parts of the
prompt. There is limited use of social studies
terminology. The response contains some
major conceptual errors or omissions. The
response shows limited understanding.
2
A score of two indicates that the student has
some understanding of the social studies
concepts applicable to the prompt. The
response does not demonstrate an attempt to
make connections between the social studies
concepts and the real life application. The
student attempted to provide a response to
one or more parts of the prompt. The use of
social studies terminology may be missing.
The response contains many major
conceptual errors and omissions. The
response shows minimal understanding.
1
A score of one indicates that the student
made a limited attempt to answer the prompt.
Social studies terminology is missing. The
response contains many major conceptual
errors or omissions. The explanation shows
no understanding.
0
A score of zero indicates the student has
demonstrated no understanding of the social
studies concept or the response is
completely unintelligible.
Exemplar:
6
An exemplary student response will include
some, but not all, of the following details:
● Republicanism has its earliest
traditions in the political and civic
ideas of ancient Greece and Rome.
● Republicanism emphasizes the
needs of the community over the
claims of the individual, and, to that
end, promotes the values of a
common civic identity and political
and civic unity over pluralism or
diversity.
● In a republic, citizens are equal in their
rights and responsibilities.
Republicanism stresses the
importance of the rule of law.
● Republicanism is reliant upon on the
civic participation of its citizens for the
accountability of its government.
● In a republic, the authority of the
government is derived from the
consent of its people.
● Democracy is most often defined as
government, or rule, by the people.
● “Direct democracy” is a form of
democracy where all eligible citizens
are able to participate in decision and
policy­making directly, as in assembly
voting or as in a referendum.
● “Representative democracy” is a
system wherein the people rule
indirectly through their elected public
officials.
● Democracy is characterized by
majority rule.
●
●
●
●
●
Democracy emphasizes the
importance of individual rights to
freedom of expression, as well as the
political equality of all citizens.
While favoring the democratic
principles of individual freedoms and
natural rights, but fearing the “tyranny
of the majority,” the Founders
combined institutional elements of
both democracy and republicanism,
respectfully reflected by the U.S. Bill
of Rights and the U.S. Constitution.
The United States is a constitutional
democratic republic, meaning that a
constitution exists to define and limit
the powers of the government.
The form and function of the
government is based on majority rule,
while ensuring the rights of the people
and the protection of minority opinion.
In the United States, the people
participate in a representative
democracy and elect their officials,
who are bound to and limited under
the supreme law of the U.S.
Constitution.