Grade 8 Term 1 Social Studies Final Exam Sample Questions

Your exam offers you 4 questions, and you choose two. Each question has three parts – type a, b, and c.
You must answer all 3 parts of the question you choose. Some questions will look familiar.

NOTE: This is a guide only. Some questions on the exam may not be covered here. Some questions
below may not be on the exam.

1. The Industrial Revolution caused significant changes to how the world worked.

a. Briefly describe two changes to how people lived that resulted from the Industrial Revolution. (4
marks)

b. Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in England? (6 marks)

c. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Changes in art and
literature in the 19th century were the result of a growing middle class? (10 Marks)

2. Urbanization created both opportunities and problems for industrializing societies

1. Describe two causes of urbanization (4 marks)

2. Why/how did the factory system change the urban landscape (6 marks)
3. To what extent were the steam engine and textiles responsible for the rapid growth of cities. (10
marks)

3. Napoleon changed the politics of Europe and Latin America.

a. Fully describe two impacts of the Napoleonic code. (4 marks)

b. How did Napoleon contribute to Latin American Independence movements? (6 marks)
c. To what extent was Napoleon an enlightened leader? (10 Marks

4. The Industrial Revolution impacted countries outside of Europe.

a. Describe how Commodore Perry created a trading relationship with Japan. (4 marks)
b. Why were the Zulu and Ethiopians more effective at resisting European imperialism than other
African tribes/nations? (6 Marks)
c. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement: The more advanced weapons of
the west were the main reason industrialized countries were able to gain control of Asia and the
Pacific in the 19th century. (10 marks)

5. The Industrial Revolution had a great impact on working conditions, art, and culture.

a. Describe the difference between Romanticism and Realism. (4 Marks)

b. Why did industrialization lead to the growth of the middle class? (6 marks)

c. To what extent was the creation of factories responsible for social reforms, like socialism, in
Britain and the United States? (10 marks)
6. The Enlightenment affected global politics and culture

a. Explain how Greeks and Romans influenced the enlightenment. Give examples. (4 marks)

b. Why were John Locke’s ideas so influential on later politics? Use examples. (6 Marks)
c. To what extent was the three-estate system responsible for the start of the French
Revolution? (10 Marks)

7. Africa was a source of conflict for Europeans in the 19 th Century.

a. Describe two conflicts between Europe and native African tribes. (4 marks)

b. Why were Europeans so desperate to control South Africa? List specific examples in your
answer. (6 marks)

c. How far do you agree with this statement: The colonization and imperialization of Africa was
necessary for European countries to maintain their political and economic independence. (10
marks)

8. India, China, and Japan were greatly affected by industrialized countries.

a. Describe the trading relationship between Great Britain and India in the 19 th century.
(4 marks)

b. What is the most likely reason that China lost the war with Japan in 1894? (6 marks)

c. To what extent was the Japanese reaction to incursions by the west more successful
than that of China? (10 Marks)