Grade 8 Social studies diagnostic

12 questions on economics basics, government & citizenship, messages & sources and community. Answer what you can, then check your answers to see which topics are secure and what to practise next.

12 questions4 topicsAbout 15 minutesSet 4 of 5

Skip a question if you do not know the answer. It is better than guessing, because it shows what to practise.

1CommunityCommunity and civic reasoning: which term fits this description? A person recognized as a member of a political community under its rules.

A. CompromiseB. CitizenC. RuleD. Consensus

2CommunityA class vote has 12 for A, 9 for B and 4 for C. Which option has the most votes?

A. CB. AC. BD. a three-way tie

3CommunityWhich is an example of an opinion?

A. There are two copies on the deskB. The book has 80 pagesC. This is the most enjoyable bookD. The title has three words

4Economics basicsPriya has one free Saturday afternoon and ranks the options: 1) going to a museum, 2) playing soccer with friends, 3) volunteering at an animal shelter. Priya chooses going to a museum. What is the opportunity cost of this choice?

A. volunteering at an animal shelterB. playing soccer with friendsC. nothing, because the afternoon was freeD. going to a museum

5Economics basicsA town expects revenue of $159 million and plans to spend $128 million this year. What is the result?

A. a surplus of $287 millionB. a deficit of $287 millionC. a deficit of $31 millionD. a surplus of $31 million

6Economics basicsA city’s population grows quickly, and many more people want apartments. Which change does this describe?

A. Demand decreased.B. Demand increased.C. Supply increased.D. Supply decreased.

7Government & citizenshipIn a class election, Ana got 14 votes, Farah got 40 votes and Gus got 25 votes. The candidate with the most votes wins. Who won?

A. FarahB. GusC. Ana

8Government & citizenshipIn a Canadian federal election, which candidate wins a riding?

A. The oldest candidateB. The candidate with the most votes, even without a majorityC. Only a candidate with more than half of the votesD. The candidate chosen by the Senate

9Government & citizenshipIn Canada, which level of government is mainly responsible for building permits for houses?

A. federalB. municipal (local)C. provincial or territorial

10Messages & sourcesWhich statement is an opinion? • Ottawa is the capital of Canada. • The new mural downtown is beautiful.

A. Ottawa is the capital of Canada.B. The new mural downtown is beautiful.

11Messages & sourcesA post says “a study proves” something. What should you look for?

A. Who did the study, where it was published, and whether other studies agreeB. Whether the post has many sharesC. Whether the post uses the word “proves”D. Whether the post is short

12Messages & sourcesWhich persuasion technique does this advertisement mainly use? “A famous movie star chose this backpack. Shouldn’t you?”

A. emotional appealB. scarcity or urgencyC. celebrity endorsementD. bandwagon