MEGA Elementary Education Multi-Content Practice Test

Which source would best help students understand the distinguishing characteristics of the Gilded Age in U.S. history?

1. Stylistically innovative short stories and poems by well-known authors

2. Biographical essays about rural families on the Western frontier

3. Election-year platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties

4. Journalistic accounts of the practice of large business enterprises

The correct answer is: Journalistic accounts of the practice of large business enterprises

The most effective source for helping students understand the distinguishing characteristics of the Gilded Age is journalistic accounts of the practice of large business enterprises. During the Gilded Age, which spanned from the 1870s to about 1900, the United States experienced rapid economic growth, characterized by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and significant wealth inequality. Journalistic accounts, particularly from investigative reporters of that era, often targeted the practices of big businesses and monopolies, exposing corruption, unethical labor practices, and the societal impacts of capitalism. These writings provide firsthand perspectives on the economic and social dynamics at play during the Gilded Age, making them invaluable for students seeking to grasp the defining elements of this period. They reveal how the actions of large corporations influenced American life, politics, and the economy, highlighting the contrast between the vast wealth accumulated by a few and the struggles faced by many working-class citizens. In contrast, stylistically innovative short stories and poems might provide cultural insights but lack the historical context needed to understand the economic and social issues of the Gilded Age. Biographical essays about rural families on the Western frontier focus more on different aspects of American life and do not directly address the key themes of the G