When beginning a standardized test, you should first: a. skip to the subject and section you know best. b. read the directions c. look at other students to gauge how they are progressing. d. move quickly to the first question to make sure you finish.

New communication technologies, improved transportation, and advanced military weapons made it possible for countries to speed up acquiring territory. rule large amounts of territory. fight off competition from opposing nations. expand their economies, which aided in conguest.