SOWK COMPREHENSIVE EXAM 1
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the primary mission of the social work
profession?
A. To improve healthcare outcomes for clients
B. To ensure clients receive mental health services
C. To enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people
D. To develop new research in human behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: The NASW Code of Ethics defines the profession's mission as
enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic needs of all people,
particularly those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
2. What is the primary purpose of a psychosocial assessment?
A. To diagnose mental illness
,B. To gather biological data
C. To assess strengths and challenges in multiple life domains
D. To predict future behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: A psychosocial assessment evaluates a client's mental, emotional,
social, and environmental functioning to guide intervention planning.
3. According to Erik Erikson, what is the main developmental task during
adolescence?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's theory posits that adolescents face the task of developing a
personal identity and sense of self.
4. In generalist social work practice, what is the term for the process of
evaluating the results of an intervention?
A. Engagement
B. Assessment
C. Termination
D. Evaluation
,Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the step in the planned change process where social
workers determine the effectiveness of interventions.
5. What is a dual relationship in social work?
A. Providing therapy to both partners in a couple
B. Simultaneously being a client’s social worker and their friend
C. Referring a client to another agency
D. Supervising two interns at once
Answer: B
Rationale: Dual relationships occur when a social worker has more than one role
with a client, risking boundary violations.
6. What does the acronym PIE stand for in social work?
A. Practice in Education
B. Person in Environment
C. Policy, Intervention, Evaluation
D. Practice, Intake, Ethics
Answer: B
Rationale: PIE (Person-in-Environment) is a foundational perspective in social
work that emphasizes understanding individuals within their environmental
contexts.
, 7. Which theoretical perspective emphasizes empowerment and reducing social
injustice?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Theory
B. Systems Theory
C. Feminist Theory
D. Psychodynamic Theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Feminist theory focuses on empowerment, social justice, and
challenging power imbalances.
8. What is the first step in the generalist intervention model (GIM)?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Engagement
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Engagement is the initial step in the GIM, where rapport is built, and
trust is established with the client.
9. What is meant by cultural competence in social work?
A. Being able to speak multiple languages
B. Avoiding working with people of different cultures
C. Respecting and responding appropriately to diverse cultural contexts
D. Specializing in immigration law
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025
1. Which of the following best describes the primary mission of the social work
profession?
A. To improve healthcare outcomes for clients
B. To ensure clients receive mental health services
C. To enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people
D. To develop new research in human behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: The NASW Code of Ethics defines the profession's mission as
enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic needs of all people,
particularly those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
2. What is the primary purpose of a psychosocial assessment?
A. To diagnose mental illness
,B. To gather biological data
C. To assess strengths and challenges in multiple life domains
D. To predict future behavior
Answer: C
Rationale: A psychosocial assessment evaluates a client's mental, emotional,
social, and environmental functioning to guide intervention planning.
3. According to Erik Erikson, what is the main developmental task during
adolescence?
A. Trust vs. Mistrust
B. Intimacy vs. Isolation
C. Identity vs. Role Confusion
D. Generativity vs. Stagnation
Answer: C
Rationale: Erikson's theory posits that adolescents face the task of developing a
personal identity and sense of self.
4. In generalist social work practice, what is the term for the process of
evaluating the results of an intervention?
A. Engagement
B. Assessment
C. Termination
D. Evaluation
,Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation is the step in the planned change process where social
workers determine the effectiveness of interventions.
5. What is a dual relationship in social work?
A. Providing therapy to both partners in a couple
B. Simultaneously being a client’s social worker and their friend
C. Referring a client to another agency
D. Supervising two interns at once
Answer: B
Rationale: Dual relationships occur when a social worker has more than one role
with a client, risking boundary violations.
6. What does the acronym PIE stand for in social work?
A. Practice in Education
B. Person in Environment
C. Policy, Intervention, Evaluation
D. Practice, Intake, Ethics
Answer: B
Rationale: PIE (Person-in-Environment) is a foundational perspective in social
work that emphasizes understanding individuals within their environmental
contexts.
, 7. Which theoretical perspective emphasizes empowerment and reducing social
injustice?
A. Cognitive Behavioral Theory
B. Systems Theory
C. Feminist Theory
D. Psychodynamic Theory
Answer: C
Rationale: Feminist theory focuses on empowerment, social justice, and
challenging power imbalances.
8. What is the first step in the generalist intervention model (GIM)?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Engagement
D. Implementation
Answer: C
Rationale: Engagement is the initial step in the GIM, where rapport is built, and
trust is established with the client.
9. What is meant by cultural competence in social work?
A. Being able to speak multiple languages
B. Avoiding working with people of different cultures
C. Respecting and responding appropriately to diverse cultural contexts
D. Specializing in immigration law
