Changes

As we move into our third week, here is another set of tips on multiple-choice history questions.  Learn and use these skills!  They will be valuable not only for this class but for the SAT, AP exams, CLEP, and every other multiple choice test you take.

As we move into our third week, here is another set of tips on multiple-choice history questions.  Learn and use these skills!  They will be valuable not only for this class, but for all multiple choice exams:

1.  Look for the best fit out of the answers given.  The question is like a lock or key hole, and you are looking for the answer (key) that is the best fit.  Matching the verb or concept behind the question with the best fitting verb or concept in the answer can help.  For example, when the question asked about “exploration”, the answer that said to “find the best route” was the best fit and the correct answer.

1.  '''Disqualify answer choices that contain language that is too sweeping''', such as "everyone" or "only".  Here is an example.  Question: "Why was George Washington elected president?"  Possible answer choice:  "Because everyone wanted him.  Nope, not "everyone" liked George Washington.  Here is another example.  Question: "Why was slavery used?"  Answer:  "Solely because of greed."  Nope.  Not "solely" (or "purely" or "only”) because of greed. Some common "sweeping" words that signal an incorrect answer choice are: everyone, always, never, only, solely, purely, all and every.

2.  Disqualify as incorrect answers which contain language that is too sweeping, such as “everyone” or “only”.  Question: Why was George Washington elected president?  Potential answer:  Because everyone wanted him.  Nope, not “everyone”.  Question: Why was slavery used?  Answer:  Only because of greed.  Nope.  Not “only” because of greed. Some common "sweeping" words are: everyone, always, never, only, all, every.

2.  '''Look for the answer choice that is the best fit to the question'''.  The question is like a "lock" or "key hole", and you are looking for the answer (or the "key") that is the best fit.  Matching the verb or concept behind the question with the best fitting verb or concept in the answer can help.  For example, when a question asked about "exploration", the answer that said to "find the best route" was the best fit and the correct answer.

3.  When a question completely baffles you, such as a question asking for the political motive behind the “Wizard of Oz” movie, look for an economic or money answer.  Historical events and politics are motivated more by money than most students realize.

3.  When a question completely baffles you, such as a question asking for a hidden political motive behind the "Wizard of Oz" movie, consider a possible economic (money-based) answer.  Historical events and politics are motivated more by money than most students realize.  When you're lost and can't explain why people did something, like have slaves, then think if there was a economic or financial motivation for owning slaves.  There was: slaves were virtually free labor, and were more profitable to use than paying someone to do the job.  Slave-owners became richer than many people who opposed slavery.

4.  View multiple choice questions like a puzzle.  Enjoy solving it.  This class has more talent than any other class in our state, and maybe in the country.  Don’t let any test or question intimidate you.  Multiple choice questions become much easier when you try your hardest and use common sense.

4.  Finally, view multiple choice questions like a puzzle.  Enjoy solving them.  Don't let any test or question intimidate you.  Multiple choice questions become much easier when you find a way to enjoy figuring out their puzzles.

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