Country

Population

Stratum

School

Class

Student

International Study of

Civic Education

19 Released Items from

Upper Secondary (Older Population) Test

Notes:

1. The first 9 items are released items used in both 14-year-old and older-population instruments with item numbers used in older population;

2 Correct Answer Key: #3-C; #6-A; #7-B, #8-B; #10-A; #11-B; #12-D; #13-A; #15-D; #18-B; #20-B; #21-D; #22-B; #23-D; #25-C; #26-C; #30-D, #34-B, #35-C.

3. Check [..] information for translation/adaptation; older population was tested in Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Hong Kong (SAR), Israel, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland (German), and items were checked for suitability in those countries.

4. Time estimate for 16-17 year-olds to answer these items 15-18 minutes;

5. For Parts 2 and 3, the background questions and remainder of the instrument assessing concepts, attitudes, and actions see www.wam.umd.edu/~iea/.

Part One

Directions for part 1

Each of the questions or incomplete statements in this test is followed by four possible answers. You are to decide which one of these answers is best.

Tick your answer by placing a cross (X) in the box next to the answer you think is correct.

Here is an example.

E1. Which of the following is a nation?

A.	o	Tokyo
B.	o	Australia
C.	o	Copenhagen
D.	o	Montreal

Since Australia is a nation and the others are only cities, you should have chosen the answer B as shown below.

E1. Which of the following is a nation?

A.	o	Tokyo
B.	ý	Australia
C.	o	Copenhagen
D.	o	Montreal

Tick only one answer for each question. If you want to change an answer, be sure to erase the old cross completely. Read each question carefully and answer it as well as you can. Do NOT spend too much time on any one question. If you are not sure about the answer to a question, choose the answer you think is best and continue with the next question on the test.

When you have finished the test questions in Part One this part is to be sealed before you go on to completing Part Two. Please seal these pages according to the instructions you receive from the test administrator.

You are now ready to begin the test. Do NOT turn the page to begin the test until you are told to do so.

3. In a democratic country [society] having many organisations for people to join is important because this provides ...

A.	o	a group to defend members who are arrested.
B.	o	many sources of taxes for the government.
C.	o	opportunities to express different points of view.
D.	o	a way for the government to tell people about new laws.

6. Which of the following is most likely to cause a government to be called non-democratic?

A.	o	People are prevented from criticising [not allowed to criticise] the government.
B.	o	The political parties criticise each other often.
C.	o	People must pay very high taxes.
D.	o	Every citizen has the right to a job.

7. Which of the following is most likely to happen if a large publisher buys many of the [smaller] newspapers in a country?

A.	o	Government censorship of the news is more likely.
B.	o	There will be less diversity of opinions presented.
C.	o	The price of the country’s newspapers will be lowered.
D.	o	The amount of advertising in the newspapers will be reduced.

8. Which of the following is a political right? The right ...

A.	o	of pupils to learn about politics in school
B.	o	of citizens to vote and stand for [run for] election
C.	o	of adults to have a job
D.	o	of politicians to have a salary

This is the way history textbooks are sometimes written

ERASER

HISTORY

10. What is the message or main point of this cartoon? History textbooks …

A.	o	are sometimes changed to avoid mentioning problematic events from the past.
B.	o	for children must be shorter than books written for adults.
C.	o	are full of information that is not interesting.
D.	o	should be written using a computer and not a pencil.

The next three questions are based on the following imaginary political leaflet [political advertisement].

We citizens have had enough!

A vote for the Silver Party means a vote for higher taxes.

It means an end to economic growth and a waste of our nation’s resources.

Vote instead for economic growth and free enterprise.

Vote for more money left in everyone’s wallet!

Let’s not waste another 4 years! Vote for the Gold Party.

11. This is an election leaflet [political advertisement] which has probably been issued by ...

A.	o	the Silver Party.
B.	o	a party or group in opposition to [running against] the Silver Party.
C.	o	a group which tries to be sure elections are fair.
D.	o	the Silver Party and the Gold Party together.

12. The authors of the leaflet think that higher taxes are ...

A.	o	a good thing.
B.	o	necessary in a [free] market economy.
C.	o	necessary for economic growth.
D.	o	a bad thing.

13. The party or group that has issued this leaflet is likely also to be in favour of ...

A.	o	reducing state [government] control of the economy.
B.	o	lowering of the voting age.
C.	o	capital punishment.
D.	o	more frequent elections.

15. Two people work at the same job but one is paid less than the other. The principle of equality would be violated if the person is paid less because of ...

A.	o	fewer educational qualifications.
B.	o	less work experience.
C.	o	working for fewer hours.
D.	o	gender [sex].

18. What is a coalition government? A government [executive government] ...

A.	o	consisting of members of one large political party.
B.	o	consisting of members of two or more political parties.
C.	o	formed without the participation of any political party.
D.	o	formed with the support of business leaders.

Make your choice!

From: Introducing Democracy: Questions and Answers, ©UNESCO 1995

20. What is the message or main point of this cartoon?

A.	o	Candidates for elections are usually men.
B.	o	Free elections must have more than one candidate.
C.	o	Elections are the only way to influence politics.
D.	o	Voting should be in secret.

________________________

21. The government has lowered tax rates on income from interest and investment [finance income] and raised tax rates on salaries. A large group carried signs in protest in front of the government’s buildings. The protesters are most likely to be ...

A.	o	people who have large savings accounts.
B.	o	people who own shares in companies.
C.	o	unemployed people who receive government benefits.
D.	o	people who are employed in factories.

22. A country has a declining birth-rate and an increasing life span. Which of the following problems will have to be solved as a result? How to ...

A.	o	build school buildings.
B.	o	fund [finance] pensions for the elderly.
C.	o	build low income housing.
D.	o	combat crime and violence.

23. The ambassador from a country called Highland to a country called Lowland was recalled. What is the most likely reason for this?

A.	o	The relationship between Lowland and Highland is increasingly friendly.
B.	o	Lowland wants to suggest a treaty with Highland.
C.	o	Lowland wants to increase trade with Highland.
D.	o	There has been an event in Lowland offending Highland.

25. In the late 1990s, what contributed most to armed conflicts in various parts of the world?

A.	o	Rising costs of raw materials such as oil
B.	o	Decreasing numbers of democratic governments in the world
C.	o	Conflicts between national, ethnic, or religious groups
D.	o	Illegal arms trade across borders

Please look at the graph below when answering the next question (No. 26).

Labour Costs in five countries

Country A					28.68
Country B				24.50
Country C			12.25
Country D		10.32
Country E	7.51

Average hourly labour costs per country (in US $)

26. The average cost of labour varies in the countries listed above. These labour cost differences are likely to result in which of the following?

A.	o	Companies relocating their factories to Country A
B.	o	Companies locating factories in all 5 countries
C.	o	Companies relocating factories to Country E
D.	o	Twice as many companies locating factories in Country B as in Country C

The next question is based on the following part of an article from an imaginary newspaper.

MINISTER ASKED TO RESIGN

Company X was chosen by the Minister of Transport [national equivalent] to build a road despite the fact that its cost was higher than other companies. It was later revealed that the Minister's brother is a major shareholder in Company X. Members of Parliament [or national equivalent] are calling for the Minister's resignation.

30. Why do Members of Parliament [or national equivalent], want the Minister to resign?

A.	o	The Minister should not decide who is to build roads.
B.	o	The Minister's family should not be shareholders in any company.
C.	o	The Minister was given money by the company who built the road.
D.	o	The Minister's decision was affected by his private interests.

________________________

The next question is based on the following part of an article from an imaginary newspaper.

OPEC TO REDUCE OIL PRODUCTION

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries met in Vienna last week. Leaders of the oil producing countries agreed to reduce the amount of oil each of them pump. At a press conference today, the organisation’s spokesman said that this will help to keep the world’s economy in balance.

34. Why would the OPEC countries decide to reduce their oil production?

A.	o	To help economic growth in the world
B.	o	To keep oil prices from falling
C.	o	To save oil for future generations
D.	o	To promote the development of new energy sources

35. If there were a high protective tariff [tax] in Brazil on cars made in Japan, who would most directly benefit?

A.	o	car-makers in Japan
B.	o	people in Brazil who buy cars made in Japan
C.	o	car-makers in Brazil
D.	o	the government in Japan