CSET Multiple Subjects Subtest I History
and Social Science United States History
Set (Latest Update ) Questions
& Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question: What was the primary reason for European exploration of the Americas in the
15th century?
Answer: To find new trade routes to Asia
Rationale: Europeans sought faster routes for spices and goods, leading to the discovery
of the Americas.
Question: Who was the first European to reach the Americas in 1492?
Answer: Christopher Columbus
Rationale: Columbus, sailing for Spain, landed in the Caribbean, initiating European
colonization.
Question: What was the primary economic activity in the Jamestown colony?
Answer: Tobacco farming
Rationale: Tobacco became the cash crop that ensured Jamestown’s survival and growth.
Question: Which colonial region relied heavily on indentured servants and enslaved
labor?
Answer: Southern Colonies
Rationale: The Southern Colonies’ plantation economy depended on labor-intensive
crops like tobacco and cotton.
, Question: What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
Answer: To establish self-governance for the Plymouth Colony
Rationale: The Compact was an agreement by Pilgrims to create a government based on
majority rule.
Question: Which event sparked the French and Indian War?
Answer: Conflict over the Ohio River Valley
Rationale: British and French competition for territory led to the war (1754–1763).
Question: What was the primary cause of the American Revolution?
Answer: Taxation without representation
Rationale: Colonists resented British taxes, like the Stamp Act, without colonial input in
Parliament.
Question: Which document declared the American colonies’ independence from Britain?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
Rationale: Adopted in 1776, it formally announced the colonies’ break from British rule.
Question: Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Rationale: Jefferson drafted the document, articulating the colonies’ reasons for
independence.
Question: What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown?
Answer: It led to the British surrender, ending the Revolutionary War
Rationale: The 1781 victory forced Britain to negotiate peace, securing American independence.
Question: What was the first U.S. constitution called?
Answer: Articles of Confederation
Rationale: Adopted in 1781, it was the first attempt at a national government but was weak.
, Question: What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: Lack of federal taxing power
Rationale: The federal government could not raise revenue, limiting its effectiveness.
Question: What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Answer: To revise the Articles of Confederation
Rationale: Delegates met to address the Articles’ weaknesses, resulting in a new Constitution.
Question: What compromise resolved the issue of representation in Congress?
Answer: Great Compromise
Rationale: It created a bicameral Congress with equal state representation in the Senate and
population-based representation in the House.
Question: What document outlines the structure of the U.S. government?
Answer: U.S. Constitution
Rationale: Ratified in 1788, it establishes the framework for the federal government.
Question: What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
Answer: Bill of Rights
Rationale: Added in 1791, these amendments protect individual liberties like freedom of speech.
Question: What is an amendment?
Answer: An official change to the Constitution
Rationale: Amendments allow the Constitution to adapt to changing times.
Question: Who was the first President of the United States?
Answer: George Washington
Rationale: Washington served as president from 1789 to 1797, setting key precedents.
Question: What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Answer: To promote ratification of the Constitution
Rationale: Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, they argued for a strong federal government.
and Social Science United States History
Set (Latest Update ) Questions
& Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct
Multiple-Choice Questions
Question: What was the primary reason for European exploration of the Americas in the
15th century?
Answer: To find new trade routes to Asia
Rationale: Europeans sought faster routes for spices and goods, leading to the discovery
of the Americas.
Question: Who was the first European to reach the Americas in 1492?
Answer: Christopher Columbus
Rationale: Columbus, sailing for Spain, landed in the Caribbean, initiating European
colonization.
Question: What was the primary economic activity in the Jamestown colony?
Answer: Tobacco farming
Rationale: Tobacco became the cash crop that ensured Jamestown’s survival and growth.
Question: Which colonial region relied heavily on indentured servants and enslaved
labor?
Answer: Southern Colonies
Rationale: The Southern Colonies’ plantation economy depended on labor-intensive
crops like tobacco and cotton.
, Question: What was the main purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
Answer: To establish self-governance for the Plymouth Colony
Rationale: The Compact was an agreement by Pilgrims to create a government based on
majority rule.
Question: Which event sparked the French and Indian War?
Answer: Conflict over the Ohio River Valley
Rationale: British and French competition for territory led to the war (1754–1763).
Question: What was the primary cause of the American Revolution?
Answer: Taxation without representation
Rationale: Colonists resented British taxes, like the Stamp Act, without colonial input in
Parliament.
Question: Which document declared the American colonies’ independence from Britain?
Answer: Declaration of Independence
Rationale: Adopted in 1776, it formally announced the colonies’ break from British rule.
Question: Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Rationale: Jefferson drafted the document, articulating the colonies’ reasons for
independence.
Question: What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown?
Answer: It led to the British surrender, ending the Revolutionary War
Rationale: The 1781 victory forced Britain to negotiate peace, securing American independence.
Question: What was the first U.S. constitution called?
Answer: Articles of Confederation
Rationale: Adopted in 1781, it was the first attempt at a national government but was weak.
, Question: What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer: Lack of federal taxing power
Rationale: The federal government could not raise revenue, limiting its effectiveness.
Question: What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Answer: To revise the Articles of Confederation
Rationale: Delegates met to address the Articles’ weaknesses, resulting in a new Constitution.
Question: What compromise resolved the issue of representation in Congress?
Answer: Great Compromise
Rationale: It created a bicameral Congress with equal state representation in the Senate and
population-based representation in the House.
Question: What document outlines the structure of the U.S. government?
Answer: U.S. Constitution
Rationale: Ratified in 1788, it establishes the framework for the federal government.
Question: What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
Answer: Bill of Rights
Rationale: Added in 1791, these amendments protect individual liberties like freedom of speech.
Question: What is an amendment?
Answer: An official change to the Constitution
Rationale: Amendments allow the Constitution to adapt to changing times.
Question: Who was the first President of the United States?
Answer: George Washington
Rationale: Washington served as president from 1789 to 1797, setting key precedents.
Question: What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Answer: To promote ratification of the Constitution
Rationale: Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, they argued for a strong federal government.
