73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Typo or bad history? ... you decide, April 17, 2007
This review is from: CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Social Studies Content Knowledge Test (0081) (Paperback)
I'm required to take a test in New York State called the Content Specialty Test (CST) in Social Studies, which is very similar the Praxus exam. Therefore, I've been preparing for it by using this guide. So far, in taking the practice tests within I've come across some very odd questions, but this particular one below makes me doubt the validity of the entire book.
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55. One historical lesson from the McCarthy era is the realization that
A. loyalty oaths prevent spying
B. communism is influential in prosperous times.
C. communist agents had infiltrated all levels of the U.S. government
D. public fear of traitors can lead to intolerance and discrimination.
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Okay, A and B are obviously wrong, which leaves C and D. Personally, I chose "D" as the correct answer. Yet, the guide lists "C" as the correct answer. Now, I know that recent research has uncovered evidence that our government did indeed have communist spies hiding in various agencies during that era, but I would think that the LESSON of the McCarthy era would be more in line with answer D.
Then, this is the explanation provided for answer 55 in the guide....
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55. C. Think about the definiton of McCarthyism, the use of unsubstantiated accusations to discredit people. So, you're looking for the answer that best relates to this definition.
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The explanation for "C" as the correct answer contradicts itself.
I've forwarded this question and others like it from the guide to a highly respected history professor at Lehman College-CUNY in NYC. He and his wife (also an educator) have advised me to steer clear of this guide, as they find it filled with typographical errors which may negatively influence my test results.
I hope that this review is helpful.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
praxis 2: social studies content knowledge test, December 8, 2007
This review is from: CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Social Studies Content Knowledge Test (0081) (Paperback)
For my personal needs, this book was perfect. I am an English teacher & have only had 12 hours of undergraduate history courses. I have always been interested in history, so I decided to take the Praxis 2 in Social Studies. This book offers a basic overview of every section that will be on the test. There is no in-depth information here, but, then again, the Praxis 2 is not exactly an in-depth assessment. It will only test a very rudimentary knowledge of your content area.
It seems that most of the negative reviews are from history majors who felt this book was too basic. This book probably is too basic for a history major & would likely be a waste of money. If you are not a history major or it has been awhile since you have been in school, I would highly recommend this book. Otherwise, you could probably pass the test without even studying, as I did with the Praxis 2 in English.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Virtually useless, September 19, 2007
This review is from: CliffsTestPrep Praxis II: Social Studies Content Knowledge Test (0081) (Paperback)
This book was pretty much worthless in preparing for the exam. The actual exam was much harder than the practice versions in the book, which almost always had at least one "ridiculous" choice that you could eliminate easily. Not so on the real test. And the content review is kind of laughable. If you're not conversant with the content, you're not going to get there by reading a few bullet points about history or economics. I don't know if there are any viable alternatives, but I would steer clear of this one.
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