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 3 of 5

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

1CommunityWhich response respects a person's boundary?

A. That is okay; you do not have to answer.B. You owe us every detail.C. Refusing proves my assumption.D. I will guess and publish it.

2CommunityWhich survey question is least leading?

A. Which opening time would you prefer?B. Do you agree that the excellent new schedule is best?C. Everyone likes later hours, right?D. Why do you oppose this obvious improvement?

3CommunityCommunity and civic reasoning: which term fits this description? A person selected or authorized to act on behalf of others.

A. ElectionB. CompromiseC. RepresentativeD. Rule of law

4Economics basicsTheo has one free Saturday afternoon and ranks the options: 1) studying for a test, 2) volunteering at an animal shelter, 3) practising piano. Theo chooses studying for a test. What is the opportunity cost of this choice?

A. nothing, because the afternoon was freeB. volunteering at an animal shelterC. studying for a testD. practising piano

5Economics basicsA town expects revenue of $113 million and plans to spend $90 million this year. What is the result?

A. a deficit of $23 millionB. a surplus of $23 millionC. a surplus of $203 millionD. a deficit of $203 million

6Economics basicsA new factory doubles the number of bicycles made each month. Which change does this describe?

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

7Government & citizenshipIn a class election, Gus got 21 votes, Hana got 11 votes and Dara got 14 votes. What percentage of all votes did Gus get? Round to one decimal place.

Your answer%

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

A. Royal AssentB. report stage

9Government & citizenshipIn Canada, which level of government is mainly responsible for snow clearing on neighbourhood streets?

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

10Messages & sourcesWhich statement is an opinion? • Math is the most interesting subject. • The Moon travels around Earth.

A. Math is the most interesting subject.B. The Moon travels around Earth.

11Messages & sourcesWhich persuasion technique does this advertisement mainly use? “Remember the warm feeling of Grandma’s kitchen? Our soup brings it back.”

A. bandwagonB. scarcity or urgencyC. celebrity endorsementD. emotional appeal

12Messages & sourcesWhy should you check the date of an article?

A. Older articles are always false.B. The information may be out of date, or old news may be reshared as if it were new.C. Newer articles are always true.D. Dates do not matter online.

From Grade 8

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

13Community (Grade 8)A 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

14Government & citizenship (Grade 8)What is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, where its legislature meets?

A. FrederictonB. WinnipegC. St. John’sD. Yellowknife

15Messages & sources (Grade 8)Is this statement a fact or an opinion? “The film is 95 minutes long.”

A. a factB. an opinion