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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

Social studies trivia quiz

Quick, free social studies quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jessica GirdlerUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art collage for social studies quiz showing globe map book puzzle question mark on coral background

This social studies trivia quiz helps you check your knowledge across history, geography, civics, and world cultures. Answer quick questions, see instant results, and spot topics to review. When you are done, keep learning with our social studies quiz, brush up with an American history quiz, or test your map skills with geography trivia questions.

What is the capital of France?
Berlin
Rome
Madrid
Paris
Paris has been the capital and most populous city of France since the 10th century. It remains the political and cultural center of the country. The city is home to landmarks such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. .
Who was the first President of the United States?
John Adams
George Washington
James Madison
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. He was unanimously elected by the Electoral College. His leadership set many precedents for the new nation's executive branch. .
The Nile River flows through which continent?
Europe
South America
Africa
Asia
The Nile River, over 6,600 kilometers long, is the longest river in the world. It flows north through northeastern Africa, draining into the Mediterranean Sea. Its basin spans eleven countries including Egypt and Sudan. .
What document declared American independence in 1776?
The Bill of Rights
The Emancipation Proclamation
The U.S. Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It announced the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author. .
In which country is the Great Wall located?
Korea
China
Japan
India
The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built along the historical northern borders of China. Construction began as early as the 7th century BCE. It was designed to protect against invasions and raids. .
Which organ of government makes federal laws in the United States?
Electoral College
Supreme Court
Executive Branch
Congress
Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, is the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is responsible for drafting, debating, and passing laws. Bills approved by both houses are sent to the President for signing. .
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from which country?
Italy
France
Germany
United Kingdom
The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States by France in 1886. It commemorates the alliance between the two nations during the American Revolution. Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, it stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. .
What ancient civilization built the pyramids of Giza?
Romans
Aztecs
Mayans
Egyptians
The pyramids of Giza were constructed during Egypt's Old Kingdom around 2600 - 2500 BCE. They served as monumental tombs for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. These structures remain a testament to Ancient Egyptian engineering. .
Which city served as the capital of the Byzantine Empire?
Constantinople
Rome
Damascus
Antioch
Constantinople, originally Byzantium, was refounded by Emperor Constantine I in 330 CE as the new capital. It remained the seat of the Byzantine Empire until 1453. The city bridged Europe and Asia and was a center of Orthodox Christianity. .
Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech in the U.S. Constitution?
Fifth Amendment
Fourth Amendment
First Amendment
Second Amendment
The First Amendment, ratified in 1791, protects freedoms including speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. It is part of the Bill of Rights. Its protections form the foundation of U.S. civil liberties. .
The Silk Road most directly connected China to which region?
Mediterranean
Americas
Sub-Saharan Africa
Scandinavia
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes linking China with the Mediterranean world. It facilitated exchange of silk, spices, and ideas from the 2nd century BCE onward. Major termini included Antioch and Rome on the Mediterranean coast. .
What year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1995
1989
1991
1987
The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, fell on November 9, 1989. Its opening symbolized the end of the Cold War and led to German reunification. The event marked a pivotal moment in 20th-century history. .
Which form of government is ruled by a king or queen?
Republic
Oligarchy
Monarchy
Democracy
A monarchy is a form of government headed by a monarch - such as a king, queen, emperor, or empress. Monarchies can be absolute or constitutional, with varying degrees of power held by the ruler. Historically, monarchies were the most common form of governance. .
What term describes the movement of people from rural areas to cities?
Globalization
Urbanization
Industrialization
Colonization
Urbanization refers to the increasing population of people living in urban areas versus rural ones. It often accompanies industrialization and economic development. This trend has shaped social and economic structures worldwide. .
Who was the British Prime Minister during most of World War II?
Harold Macmillan
Neville Chamberlain
Clement Attlee
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill served as British Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945, leading the UK through the majority of World War II. His leadership and speeches boosted British morale during the conflict. After the war, he lost the 1945 general election. .
Machu Picchu is located in which modern country?
Brazil
Chile
Peru
Mexico
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It was built in the 15th century and later abandoned. Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. .
Which treaty ended World War I?
Treaty of Versailles
Treaty of Tordesillas
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, officially ending World War I between Germany and the Allied Powers. It imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany. The treaty is often cited as a factor leading to World War II. .
The system of apartheid was instituted in which country?
Angola
Namibia
Zimbabwe
South Africa
Apartheid was a policy of racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-whites in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It was enforced by the National Party government. The system ended with negotiations led by Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk. .
The philosopher Thomas Hobbes wrote which influential work on social contract theory?
Leviathan
Republic
Two Treatises of Government
The Social Contract
Thomas Hobbes published "Leviathan" in 1651, outlining his views on human nature and the social contract. He argued that individuals consent to surrender some freedoms to a sovereign authority in exchange for security. Hobbes's work laid the groundwork for modern political philosophy. .
Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
Brown v. Board of Education
Roe v. Wade
Dred Scott v. Sandford
Marbury v. Madison (1803) was the landmark case in which the U.S. Supreme Court asserted its authority to review and nullify congressional and executive actions that violate the Constitution. Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion established judicial review. It remains a cornerstone of U.S. constitutional law. .
The Trans-Saharan trade routes primarily traded gold and which other commodity?
Silk
Spices
Tea
Salt
The Trans-Saharan trade connected West Africa to North Africa and Europe from the 8th century onward. Caravans carried gold southward and salt northward, along with other goods. Salt was crucial for diet and preservation in sub-Saharan regions. .
Which civilization developed the first known code of laws in Mesopotamia?
Akkadians
Assyrians
Sumerians
Babylonians
The Sumerians are credited with producing the Code of Ur-Nammu around 2100 - 2050 BCE, the oldest known legal code. It pre-dated the more famous Code of Hammurabi by centuries. The code outlined penalties for various crimes, establishing a formal legal system. .
The Congress of Vienna took place in the aftermath of which conflict?
Crimean War
Napoleonic Wars
World War I
Thirty Years' War
The Congress of Vienna (1814 - 1815) was held to re-establish European stability after the defeat of Napoleon. It aimed to redraw national boundaries and restore monarchies. The agreements shaped Europe for much of the 19th century. .
In political science, what is the term for the power to interpret laws and judge whether they are constitutional?
Judicial Review
Bureaucratic Adjudication
Executive Privilege
Legislative Oversight
Judicial review is the authority of a court to examine and invalidate legislative and executive actions that conflict with a higher authority, such as a constitution. In the United States, this power was asserted in Marbury v. Madison (1803). Judicial review is a cornerstone of constitutional law in many countries. .
The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 is credited with creating the concept of sovereign states based on which principle?
Territorial integrity and non-intervention
Divine right of kings
Separation of powers
National self-determination
The Peace of Westphalia treaties (1648) ended the Thirty Years' War and laid the foundations for the modern system of sovereign states. They established the principles of territorial integrity and non-intervention in the affairs of other states. This is known as Westphalian sovereignty. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Social Studies Facts -

    Remember important events, dates, and figures from world history tested in this trivia social studies quiz.

  2. Identify Geographic and Cultural Landmarks -

    Pinpoint countries, capitals, and cultural symbols accurately using clues from our social studies trivia questions.

  3. Analyze Civic and Government Concepts -

    Understand the structure of governments and civic principles by answering free social studies quiz prompts.

  4. Apply Critical Thinking to Social Sciences -

    Use deductive reasoning to solve challenging history trivia quiz items and deepen your comprehension.

  5. Evaluate Your Trivia Performance -

    Assess your score and identify areas for improvement to enhance your social studies knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historical Eras Mnemonic -

    Use the "A Menacing Elephant Marches Constantly" mnemonic - Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern, Contemporary - to streamline trivia social studies eras. This time-tested tip from Oxford University materials helps you breeze through timelines in any free social studies quiz.

  2. Latitude vs. Longitude -

    Differentiate latitude (flat lines parallel to the equator) from longitude (long lines running pole to pole) with "LATitude is FLATitude." Mastering this mnemonic boosts accuracy on social studies trivia questions about global coordinates, as recommended by National Geographic.

  3. Separation of Powers -

    Remember the U.S. Constitution's three branches - Legislative, Executive, Judicial - using "LEJ" to keep them straight. Understanding this core civics concept gives you an edge in history trivia quiz sections on government structures, per resources from the Library of Congress.

  4. Major World Religions -

    Recall Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism with the acronym "J-CHIB." Recognizing these faiths and their origins is a staple in social studies quiz rounds and appears frequently in diverse cultural trivia sections, as outlined by the Pew Research Center.

  5. Landmark Documents Timeline -

    Memorize Magna Carta (1215), U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776), and Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) with the rhyme "Twelve-Fifteen, Seventy-Six, Forty-Eight." This quick date trick helps you conquer the history trivia quiz's key document challenges, endorsed by UNESCO.

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