Grade 9 Social studies diagnostic

15 questions on economics basics, government & citizenship, messages & sources and community, plus 3 from Grade 8. Answer what you can, then check your answers to see which topics are secure and what to practise next.

15 questions4 topicsAbout 15 minutesSet 1 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 duty or expectation connected to a role or action.

A. ResponsibilityB. AccountabilityC. DemocracyD. Citizen

2CommunityWhich is an evaluation question after a new service starts?

A. Did the service meet its stated goals, and for whom?B. Was the title attractive?C. Did every poster use the same shade?D. Was the report long?

3CommunityWhich is a reasoned response to disagreement?

A. Ask for evidence and explain the trade-offs.B. Insult the whole group.C. Pretend dissenters do not exist.

4Economics basicsA town expects revenue of $111 million and plans to spend $92 million this year. What is the result?

A. a surplus of $19 millionB. a deficit of $19 millionC. a surplus of $203 millionD. a deficit of $203 million

5Economics basicsSami has one free Saturday afternoon and ranks the options: 1) playing soccer with friends, 2) going to a museum, 3) practising piano. Sami chooses playing soccer with friends. What is the opportunity cost of this choice?

A. practising pianoB. playing soccer with friendsC. nothing, because the afternoon was freeD. going to a museum

6Economics basicsA long heat wave makes many more people want to buy ice cream. Assuming nothing else changes, what will most likely happen to the price?

A. It will stay exactly the same.B. It will most likely rise.C. It will most likely fall.

7Government & citizenshipIn a class election, Gus got 10 votes, Ana got 25 votes and Farah got 7 votes. Did the winner, Ana, get a majority (more than half of all 42 votes)?

A. YesB. No

8Government & citizenshipA government bill starts in the House of Commons. Which stage comes first: committee stage or consideration by the Senate?

A. consideration by the SenateB. committee stage

9Government & citizenshipIn Canada, which level of government is mainly responsible for education and schools?

A. provincial or territorialB. federalC. municipal (local)

10Messages & sourcesWhich statement is a fact that could be checked? • Summer is the best season. • There are 12 months in a year.

A. Summer is the best season.B. There are 12 months in a year.

11Messages & sourcesWhich persuasion technique does this advertisement mainly use? “Don’t let your pet feel lonely: buy the toy it will love.”

A. emotional appealB. bandwagonC. celebrity endorsementD. scarcity or urgency

12Messages & sourcesA photo shared online claims to show a flood “today”. Which check could reveal that it is an older photo?

A. Reading the caption againB. Zooming in on the coloursC. Counting the likesD. A reverse image search

From Grade 8

These questions check skills from the grade below, so gaps can be spotted early.

13Government & citizenship (Grade 8)What is the capital city of British Columbia, where its legislature meets?

A. St. John’sB. HalifaxC. IqaluitD. Victoria

14Messages & sources (Grade 8)Is this statement a fact or an opinion? “Math is the most interesting subject.”

A. an opinionB. a fact

15Community (Grade 8)A playground proposal ignores children who use mobility aids. Which criterion is missing?

A. accessibilityB. name lengthC. decorationD. page colour