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 2 of 5

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

1CommunityA project has a budget of 100 units and two stated components cost 35 and 45. What remains?

Your answer

2CommunityCommunity and civic reasoning: which term fits this description? Dividing governmental functions among institutions to limit concentrated authority.

A. RightB. Separation of powersC. ResponsibilityD. Conflict of interest

3CommunityWhich conclusion is justified when survey results are split?

A. Preferences differ, so the distribution and trade-offs should be reported.B. Everyone agrees.C. The smaller group can be erased.D. No one has an opinion.

4Economics basicsA town expects revenue of $193 million and plans to spend $26 million this year. What is the result?

A. a deficit of $167 millionB. a surplus of $167 millionC. a surplus of $219 millionD. a deficit of $219 million

5Economics basicsPriya has one free Saturday afternoon and ranks the options: 1) working a shift at the bakery, 2) practising piano, 3) visiting a grandparent. Priya chooses working a shift at the bakery. What is the opportunity cost of this choice?

A. visiting a grandparentB. working a shift at the bakeryC. nothing, because the afternoon was freeD. practising piano

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, Eli got 23 votes, Jada got 33 votes and Ana got 37 votes. The candidate with the most votes wins. Who won?

A. EliB. JadaC. Ana

8Government & citizenshipA government bill starts in the House of Commons. Which stage comes first: first reading or second reading?

A. second readingB. first reading

9Government & citizenshipThe Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of every citizen to vote in federal and provincial elections. Which group of Charter rights is this?

A. equality rightsB. mobility rightsC. fundamental freedomsD. democratic rights

10Messages & sourcesWhich statement is a fact that could be checked? • Summer is the best season. • Ottawa is the capital of Canada.

A. Summer is the best season.B. Ottawa is the capital of Canada.

11Messages & sourcesWhich persuasion technique does this advertisement mainly use? “Join the millions of families who have switched to Brand X.”

A. celebrity endorsementB. scarcity or urgencyC. bandwagonD. emotional appeal

12Messages & sourcesWhich is the best first question about an unfamiliar website?

A. Who is behind this site, and what is its purpose?B. Does the site use nice colours?C. Is the font easy to read?D. How many images does it have?

From Grade 8

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

13Messages & sources (Grade 8)Is this statement a fact or an opinion? “Summer is the best season.”

A. a factB. an opinion

14Community (Grade 8)Which is a relevant reason to hear different users of a shared park?

A. They must all agree immediately.B. They may have different needs and information.C. They remove every trade-off.D. They make evidence unnecessary.

15Government & citizenship (Grade 8)What is the capital city of Nunavut, where its legislature meets?

A. Quebec CityB. WinnipegC. IqaluitD. Victoria