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GenEd The Contemporary World — LET Practice Questions

This GenEd The Contemporary World section of the LET General Education exam covers 6 expert-reviewed practice questions. Each question has a plain-English explanation and notes on why the wrong answers are wrong.

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Sample questions with answers and explanations

Sample 1

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' Which year is the target for achieving these goals?

Answer: B

The United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, with a target completion year of 2030. Often called 'the 2030 Agenda,' it's a worldwide commitment covering ending poverty, ensuring quality education, gender equality, climate action, decent work, and clean water/sanitation, among others. Each country develops its own pathway to the goals; the UN tracks global progress through indicators. The 15-year timeline (2015-2030) was set to give nations enough time to enact significant change.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. 2025 is too soon and not the official target year.
  • C. 2045 isn't the SDG target year — it's far past 2030.
  • D. 2050 is also beyond the official 2030 target.

Sample 2

The 'Global South' is a term used in post-colonial and transnational studies that refers to regions formerly known as the Third World. Which of these characteristics is commonly associated with the Global South?

Answer: C

'Global South' is a postcolonial term for countries that were colonized by European powers — most of Africa, Latin America, parts of Asia and the Pacific (including the Philippines). These countries share patterns shaped by colonial history: lower industrialization, dependence on exporting raw materials, weaker positions in the global financial system. The term replaces older labels like 'Third World' and emphasizes that current inequalities are products of colonialism, not natural differences. The Global North (Europe, US, Canada, Japan, etc.) generally holds dominant economic and political positions.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Global South countries typically have LOWER industrialization, not higher.
  • B. Global South countries are generally underrepresented in global finance, not dominant.
  • D. Lower per-capita income and political instability ARE common Global South characteristics — that description fits the Global South, not the Global North as the option implies.

Sample 3

What economic ideology promotes free-market capitalism, deregulation, and the reduction of government spending on social services?

Answer: B

Neoliberalism is the dominant economic ideology since the 1980s, championed by leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Its core claims: free markets allocate resources better than governments, so governments should be smaller; public services should be PRIVATIZED (sold to private companies); regulations should be cut; austerity (reduced government spending on social programs) is good fiscal discipline. Critics argue neoliberalism increases inequality and leaves vulnerable people without safety nets. Supporters argue it promotes economic growth and innovation.

Why the other choices are wrong
  • A. Keynesianism advocates active government intervention and spending to manage the economy — opposite of neoliberalism.
  • C. Mercantilism is a much older (16th-18th century) ideology focused on trade surpluses and gold accumulation.
  • D. Socialism advocates collective or state ownership — the opposite of neoliberal privatization and deregulation.
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