Social Studies 8 Final - Study Guide

Tuesday, June 14th 1:00 – 3:00pm

The format of your final exam will be based on written responses to a selection of the
questions seen below.

• Students will write on two essay topics of their choice

• There will be four of the eight options seen below to choose from
• Students will be expected to:

-use proper organizational structure (indentations, paragraphs etc.)

-have deliberate and purposeful thematic organization of their

paragraphs

-have a clear thesis statement that is presented in the first paragraph

-reference and incorporate specific examples from the novels to support

their opinions

-incorporate vocabulary that can be found within the novel (8-10 per
essay)

-Each essay should be a approximately 4-500 words in length

Potential Essay Topics

1. Discuss how the birth, growth and teachings of Christianity have influenced
various civilizations throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

2. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences of the Indian and Semitic
religions

3. Discuss the importance and role that religion played in the lives of individuals
living in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. How did it change and evolve
over time? What similarities and differences can be seen in the role that
religion plays in people’s lives today?

4. Describe the factors that were responsible for people becoming more educated
throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance. How has the knowledge that
was gained during these time periods impacted our lives today?
5. Explain the significance of the influences that rulers had on civilizations
throughout the Middle Ages

6. Explain how practices relating to justice and law evolved over the course of the
Middle Ages and Renaissance.

7. Describe the changing roles, rights and responsibilities that women from
various classes had in the middle ages

8. Discuss the role of the church during the Middle Ages by assessing the
influence that it had on people’s lives.