AP US HISTORY PRACTICE TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What statement best describes the British crown's attitude towards the colonies in North
America prior to mid-18th century?
A
Salutary neglect — the king simultaneously neglected the colonies and praised them.
B
Salutary neglect — the king and his cabinet rarely enforced the rules that governed the
colonies which benefitted as a result.
C
Negligent solitude — the king and his cabinet ordered the colonies to isolate themselves
from each other.
D
Negligent solitude — the colonies stopped trading with Britain and suffered as a result. -
Answer- Salutary neglect — the king and his cabinet rarely enforced the rules that
governed the colonies which benefitted as a result.
Although there were laws on the books, such as the Navigation Acts, British officials
rarely enforced them. This gave the colonies more control over their own economic and
political activities.
What statement best describes the economic activity in the Atlantic world during the
colonial period?
A
Very little trade occurred — mercantilism prevented the British colonists from earning
profits.
B
Some trade occurred but only between the British colonies and Canada.
C
A lively trade emerged between the North American colonies, Britain, and Africa.
D
A lively trade emerged but only amongst the British colonies because mercantilism
banned trans-Atlantic trade. - Answer- A lively trade emerged between the North
American colonies, Britain, and Africa.
,The colonies engaged in triangular trade by buying slaves from Africa and selling raw
materials to Britain. The British manufactured goods which they then used to purchase
slaves.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the phenomenon discussed by
Edwards?
A
The Great Experiment was a mix of rational science and religion.
B
The Great Experiment was an attempt to save atheists in the colonies.
C
The Great Awakening was an attempt to convert the largely Catholic population of the
British colonies to Protestantism.
D
The Great Awakening was a trans-Atlantic event which helped increase religious
pluralism in the colonies. - Answer- The Great Awakening was a trans-Atlantic event
which helped increase religious pluralism in the colonies
The Great Awakening led to schisms and the birth of new churches in the colonies.
However, it occurred within the larger trans-Atlantic world that connected the colonies
and Britain.
What statement best describes the political connections between the North American
colonies and the British crown before the mid-18th century?
A
The colonists had long sought freedom from the crown and continuously rebelled
against its influence.
B
Colonists built political institutions based on British models but had a large degree of
autonomy.
C
The colonies had close ties to Britain and had very little autonomy.
D
There were no connections — long trans-Atlantic crossings made it impossible for the
colonies and crown to communicate. - Answer- Colonists built political institutions based
on British models but had a large degree of autonomy.
The colonies drew upon many of the same political ideas and parties that evolved in
Britain. However, they developed a strong sense of freedom due to salutary neglect.
Why did Winthrop say the Puritans must build a city upon a hill?
A
In order to have a more defensible position in case of an attack by indigenous peoples.
, B
In order to build a light house to help approaching ships navigate.
C
In order to serve as a religious inspiration to others.
D
In order to concentrate evil and sin and then separate it from the rest of society. -
Answer- In order to serve as a religious inspiration to others.
Winthrop uses a metaphor in order to compare the future Puritan settlement with a city
on a hill. Since it will be highly visible, the Puritans' effort would be an inspirational
example — if it succeeded.
Why did the Puritans settle in towns?
A
It was required as part of their charter.
B
Town meetings were important to the political and religious life of the Puritan settlers.
C
There were no other options.
D
The Puritans thought the Bible only permits settlements in towns. - Answer- Town
meetings were important to the political and religious life of the Puritan settlers.
Settling in towns allowed Puritans to supervise each other and facilitate attendance at
worship services. Church members were the only ones who could vote in local affairs.
How much religious diversity existed in Britain's North American colonies?
A
None — the colonists were all Puritans.
B
None — the colonists were all Catholics.
C
It is impossible to know because religion could not be discussed in public.
D
Very high diversity — colonists followed many different sects. - Answer- Very high
diversity — colonists followed many different sects.
The colonies attracted people from many different beliefs, including Puritans, Catholics,
Presbyterians, Anglicans, and others.
What was the primary reason Smith offered to justify colonization of Virginia?
A
Exploitation of natural resources.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What statement best describes the British crown's attitude towards the colonies in North
America prior to mid-18th century?
A
Salutary neglect — the king simultaneously neglected the colonies and praised them.
B
Salutary neglect — the king and his cabinet rarely enforced the rules that governed the
colonies which benefitted as a result.
C
Negligent solitude — the king and his cabinet ordered the colonies to isolate themselves
from each other.
D
Negligent solitude — the colonies stopped trading with Britain and suffered as a result. -
Answer- Salutary neglect — the king and his cabinet rarely enforced the rules that
governed the colonies which benefitted as a result.
Although there were laws on the books, such as the Navigation Acts, British officials
rarely enforced them. This gave the colonies more control over their own economic and
political activities.
What statement best describes the economic activity in the Atlantic world during the
colonial period?
A
Very little trade occurred — mercantilism prevented the British colonists from earning
profits.
B
Some trade occurred but only between the British colonies and Canada.
C
A lively trade emerged between the North American colonies, Britain, and Africa.
D
A lively trade emerged but only amongst the British colonies because mercantilism
banned trans-Atlantic trade. - Answer- A lively trade emerged between the North
American colonies, Britain, and Africa.
,The colonies engaged in triangular trade by buying slaves from Africa and selling raw
materials to Britain. The British manufactured goods which they then used to purchase
slaves.
Which of the following statements correctly describes the phenomenon discussed by
Edwards?
A
The Great Experiment was a mix of rational science and religion.
B
The Great Experiment was an attempt to save atheists in the colonies.
C
The Great Awakening was an attempt to convert the largely Catholic population of the
British colonies to Protestantism.
D
The Great Awakening was a trans-Atlantic event which helped increase religious
pluralism in the colonies. - Answer- The Great Awakening was a trans-Atlantic event
which helped increase religious pluralism in the colonies
The Great Awakening led to schisms and the birth of new churches in the colonies.
However, it occurred within the larger trans-Atlantic world that connected the colonies
and Britain.
What statement best describes the political connections between the North American
colonies and the British crown before the mid-18th century?
A
The colonists had long sought freedom from the crown and continuously rebelled
against its influence.
B
Colonists built political institutions based on British models but had a large degree of
autonomy.
C
The colonies had close ties to Britain and had very little autonomy.
D
There were no connections — long trans-Atlantic crossings made it impossible for the
colonies and crown to communicate. - Answer- Colonists built political institutions based
on British models but had a large degree of autonomy.
The colonies drew upon many of the same political ideas and parties that evolved in
Britain. However, they developed a strong sense of freedom due to salutary neglect.
Why did Winthrop say the Puritans must build a city upon a hill?
A
In order to have a more defensible position in case of an attack by indigenous peoples.
, B
In order to build a light house to help approaching ships navigate.
C
In order to serve as a religious inspiration to others.
D
In order to concentrate evil and sin and then separate it from the rest of society. -
Answer- In order to serve as a religious inspiration to others.
Winthrop uses a metaphor in order to compare the future Puritan settlement with a city
on a hill. Since it will be highly visible, the Puritans' effort would be an inspirational
example — if it succeeded.
Why did the Puritans settle in towns?
A
It was required as part of their charter.
B
Town meetings were important to the political and religious life of the Puritan settlers.
C
There were no other options.
D
The Puritans thought the Bible only permits settlements in towns. - Answer- Town
meetings were important to the political and religious life of the Puritan settlers.
Settling in towns allowed Puritans to supervise each other and facilitate attendance at
worship services. Church members were the only ones who could vote in local affairs.
How much religious diversity existed in Britain's North American colonies?
A
None — the colonists were all Puritans.
B
None — the colonists were all Catholics.
C
It is impossible to know because religion could not be discussed in public.
D
Very high diversity — colonists followed many different sects. - Answer- Very high
diversity — colonists followed many different sects.
The colonies attracted people from many different beliefs, including Puritans, Catholics,
Presbyterians, Anglicans, and others.
What was the primary reason Smith offered to justify colonization of Virginia?
A
Exploitation of natural resources.
