Question 1

Which of the following most accurately describes the changes in the heights of adult,white males?

Accepted Answer

A) Since 1700,heights have increased steadily. 
B) There were small cyclical changes in height until about 1900,and since then heights have increase very rapidly. 
C) During the history of the US heights have been relatively constant. 
D) Height increased substantially until shortly after the Civil War,and has been relatively stable since then.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about population and migration is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) In the first decade after the Civil War many of the freedmen moved to the North. 
B) During most of US history more African Americans have lived in rural than urban areas. 
C) Latinos are expected to comprise a smaller fraction of US population in 2025 than they do now. 
D) Between 1810-1850 the population center of the US shifted from the Midwest to the east.

Question 3

With respect to real per capita incomes,the United States' position

Accepted Answer

A) as leader has reversed with the United Kingdom since 1980. 
B) as leader has reversed with Canada since 1980. 
C) as leader has reversed with Sweden since 1980. 
D) has not changed much since 1980.

Question 4

Which of the following is the least accurate statement?

Accepted Answer

A) GNP grew very slowly during the colonial period. 
B) The South's economic performance was very poor after the Civil War. 
C) Wealth in the colonial US was very equal because there had not been enough time for people to acquire significantly different levels of wealth. 
D) Wage inequality has increased since 1970.

Question 5

Economists often examine GNP to estimate changes in the well being of people.If one only studied GNP,which of the following would lead to one to overestimate the true increases in peoples' well being?

Accepted Answer

A) Decreasing average hours of work. 
B) Increasing life expectancy. 
C) Decreasing levels of pollution. 
D) Decreasing amounts of production in the home. 
E) Increases in product quality.

Question 6

During what period did members of labor unions comprise the largest share of the labor force?

Accepted Answer

A) 1840-1860. 
B) 1875-1895. 
C) 1920-1940. 
D) 1950-1970. 
E) 1980-2000.

Question 7

Which statement most accurately describes the distribution of income among US families?

Accepted Answer

A) In 2005,as in most of American history,poor people work on average many more hours than do high-income people. 
B) The median real family income has remained about the same since 1970. 
C) One of the most significant determinants of income inequality in the US has been the increase in demand for highly trained labor. 
D) Earnings of married-couple families have grown more slowly than earnings of both male and female households with no spouse.

Question 8

Which of the following is least accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) In 2007,the United States imports significantly more than it exports. 
B) Tariffs from imported goods accounted for over 90% of federal government revenue for the first 80 years of the United States. 
C) The largest trading partner of the colonial United States was England. 
D) In the late 1800s the US significantly increased its imports of raw materials to fuel its increased production of manufactured goods. 
E) During the Napoleonic War,the United States' exports decreased significantly because the war disrupted trade routes.

Question 9

In which period did women make the least significant strides in the labor market?

Accepted Answer

A) 1970-1990. 
B) 1940-1945. 
C) 1830-1860. 
D) 1790-1800.

Question 10

Which statement is best describes changes in infant mortality in the US from 1940-2005?

Accepted Answer

A) By 2005,the total infant mortality rate was about 15% of what it had been in 1940. 
B) The infant mortality rate is higher for whites than for blacks. 
C) The infant mortality rate was about twice as high in 1940 as it was in 2005. 
D) The infant morality rate during the first 28 days of life dropped significantly but the infant mortality rate from 28 days to 1 year remained about the same.

Question 11

During the second half of the nineteenth century and first half of the twentieth century,per capita incomes on the West Coast of the US were ___ than the national average,and per capita incomes in the South were ___ than the national average.

Accepted Answer

A) lower,higher. 
B) higher,lower. 
C) lower,lower. 
D) higher,higher.

Question 12

What best describes immigration in the US?

Accepted Answer

A) South-eastern Europe was the largest source of immigrants in the late 19th century and Latin America was the largest source at the beginning of the 20th century. 
B) Asia was the largest source of immigrants in late 20th century and south-eastern Europe was the largest source in the first half of the 19th century. 
C) Britain was the largest source of immigrants through the 18th century and Germany and Ireland were the largest sources in the last quarter of the 19th century. 
D) Ireland and Germany were the largest sources of immigrants in the middle of the 19th century and Latin America and Asia were the largest sources at the end of the 20th century.

Question 13

Changes in what sector best explain changes in union rates throughout American history?

Accepted Answer

A) Agricultural. 
B) Government. 
C) Manufacturing. 
D) Service.

Exam 29: Achievements of the Past, Challenges for the Future