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- 1. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the government of the United States?
a democracy
a monarchy
an oligarchy
a democratic republic
- 2. Multiple Choice
Which document is significant in history because it was the first time that a monarch’s powers were limited by the people?
The Mayflower Compact
The Bill of Rights
The Magna Carta
The Declaration of Independence
- 3. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT one of the purposes of government according to the Preamble of the Constitution?
To promote the general welfare.
To provide for the common defense
To ensure domestic tranquility.
To provide economic support.
- 4. Multiple Choice
What is the Bill of Rights?
The basic principles of natural rights.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
A book written by Adam Keynes that explains natural rights.
None of these.
- 5. Multiple Choice
What was the Virginia Plan?
A plan for how the legislative branch would be structured that was favored by the smaller states because it gave every state equal representation in Congress.
A plan for how the legislative branch would be structured that was favored by the larger states because representation would be based on population.
A compromise plan that called for a bicameral legislature.
A plan that would give the president powers almost like a king.
- 6. Multiple Choice
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…”
Is the foundational statement of the United States and is in the US Constitution.
Is the foundational statement of the United States and is in the Declaration of Independence.
Is the opening phrase of the Preamble of the US Constitution.
Is the opening phrase of the Bill of Rights.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Bicameral means…
Having two houses.
Having three houses.
Having one house.
Having no house.
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the BEST description of why the separation of powers is important?
Because too much power in one branch of government is tyranny, that branch or that person can become a tyrant who doesn’t respect the rights of citizens.
Because there are too many powers of government for them to be held in just one branch.
Because other societies that have had no separation of powers have always fallen in time.
Because without powers being separate, there would be no way for a person to appeal mistreatment by government.
- 9. Multiple Choice
Why is the Bill of Rights so important to Americans today (and always)?
It tells Americans what we can do.
It prevents the government from violating our natural rights because it plainly says what they are.
It is an important historical document in American History.
The Bill of Rights isn’t that important because it’s old and out-of-date.
- 10. Multiple Choice
A government that is controlled by just a few people is called a(n)
Democracy
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Monarchy
- 11. Multiple Choice
In the process of a person becoming a federal official (judge, general, ambassador, cabinet member, etc.), which of the following steps would come FIRST?
The Senate confirms the nominee.
The President approves the nomination.
The President nominates someone who must be confirmed by the Senate.
The Supreme Court approves the nomination.
- 12. Multiple Choice
Would the Founding Fathers have agreed with the following quote:“Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.” – Plato.
Yes
No
- 13. Multiple Choice
As a general rule, would a social liberal or social conservative be more likely to agree with the following quote: “Without God, democracy cannot and will not long endure.”
Conservative
Liberal
- 14. Multiple Choice
How many senators are there from each state?
1
2
3
Determined by population.
- 15. Multiple Choice
Which of the following states is MOST likely to give its electoral votes to a Republican?
Vermont
California
Connecticut
Louisiana
- 16. Multiple Choice
How many representatives come from each state?
1
2
3
Determined by population.
- 17. Multiple Choice
Which house of congress is the upper house?
Senate
House of Representatives
- 18. Multiple Choice
“Red states” tend to be more…
Conservative
Liberal
- 19. Multiple Choice
Who is MORE likely to vote for a Democrat for president:
A rancher living and ranching in western Kansas
An actor working on Broadway in New York
- 20. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT one of the four factors of production?
Land
Labor (human resource)
Capital
Invention
- 21. Multiple Choice
A company starts up that advertises trips into space for tourists who will pay. Which of the following is an example of CAPITAL that the company will need?
Investors who are willing to fund it in exchange for a share of the profits the business may make.
Rockets.
All of these.
None of these
- 22. Multiple Choice
How many electoral votes does Louisiana have?
10
12
7
8
- 23. Multiple Choice
How are electoral votes given to each state?
Add the number of representatives and senators.
Total the number of people in the state and divide by 100.
Census calculations.
None of these.
- 24. Multiple Choice
There are _______ justices on the US Supreme Court.
7
8
9
10
- 25. Multiple Choice
Which SC case gave the Supreme Court the power of judicial review, or the ability to declare a law unconstitutional?
Lawrence v. Texas, 2003.
Marbury v. Madison, 1803.
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896.
Roe v. Wade, 1973.
- 26. Multiple Choice
Which SC decision gave women the “right to choose” and legalized abortions in all the states.
Lawrence v. Texas, 2003.
Roe v. Wade, 1973.
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896.
Brown v. Board, 1954.
- 27. Multiple Choice
Which SC decision legalized the idea of “Separate, but Equal” segregation?
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896.
Brown v. Board, 1954.
Roe v. Wade, 1973.
Lawrence v. Texas, 2003.
- 28. Multiple Choice
Which SC decision declared “separate, but equal” in public education to be unconstitutional because “separate is inherently unequal?”
Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896.
Brown v. Board, 1954.
Dred Scott, 1858.
Roe v. Wade, 1973.
- 29. Multiple Choice
President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1999. Does that mean that he stopped being president at that time?
Yes
No
- 30. Multiple Choice
Which of the following states is MOST likely to give its electoral votes to a Democrat?
Oklahoma
Utah
Louisiana
New York
- 31. Multiple Choice
Prohibits the establishment of a state religion, guarantees freedom of speech, of the press, of religious exercise, of assembly, and of petition.
The First
The Second
The Fifth
None of these
- 32. Multiple Choice
Prohibits “cruel and unusual punishments.”
The First
The Fifth
The Eighth
None of these
- 33. Multiple Choice
Requires habeas corpus, prohibits unlawful search and seizure, requires police to obtain a search warrant.
The Second
The Fourth
The Tenth
None of these
- 34. Multiple Choice
Guarantees “equal protection under the law.” Established jus soli citizenship for all Americans.
The Tenth
The Fourteenth
The Fifteenth
None of these
- 35. Multiple Choice
States that all powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states. The “states’ rights amendment.”
The Tenth
The Eighth
The Ninth
None of these.
- 36. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a right listed in the First Amendment?
freedom of speech
the right to petition
the right to a jury of peers
freedom of religion
- 37. Multiple Choice
The Constitution is an “enduring, adapting” document because
it has many amendments
the courts have been able to interpret its meaning over time and apply it to new situations
the rights listed in it are very specific and no other rights are permitted
there are limits to bails, fines, and punishments
- 38. Multiple Choice
He is largely held to be the “Poet of the American Revolution.” A firm believer in natural rights, he authored the Declaration of Independence. As president, he favored a small farm-based democracy and wished the US to be an agrarian nation. He oversaw the Louisiana Purchase.
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
Grover Cleveland
- 39. Multiple Choice
His election led to the South seceding from the USA. His greatest victory was freeing the slaves and winning the Civil War by preserving the Union. He is almost always listed by historians as the greatest president of all time.
George Washington.
Abraham Lincoln.
Thomas Jefferson.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
- 40. Multiple Choice
“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen” is how who was eulogized when he died in 1799? He set the precedent for all presidents.
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Abraham Lincoln
Theodore Roosevelt
- 41. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a foreign policy goal of the United States?
National Security
Economic Growth (trade)
World Domination
Promoting Democracy
- 42. Multiple Choice
One major difference between the Republican and Democratic parties is that
Democrats tend to support organized labor such as unions and Republicans favor restricting organized labor.
Republicans favor lower taxes and breaks for high-income earners to stimulate the economy while Democrats favor higher taxes for high income earners to support programs for the poor.
Democrats favor keeping welfare in place for the poor and disadvantaged and Republicans favor cutting back welfare in order to foster initiative for finding work.
All of these.
- 43. Multiple Choice
Sometimes the media reports on candidates in a way that favors one candidate over another. This is called:
registration
bias
campaign
propaganda
- 44. Multiple Choice
How can a precedent help a judge make a decision?
The judge may find an earlier case similar to the current case.
A judge may use a precedent to discuss a current political issue.
A judge may use a precedent to question people not part of the case.
The judge may use a precedent to keep secrets from lawyers.
- 45. Multiple Choice
A naturalized citizen is one who:
Was born in the United States
Has married a citizen of the United States
Was born outside the United States, moved here with a Green Card, and became a citizen after five years.
Has parents who were born in the United States
- 46. Multiple Choice
In order to become President of the United States, Barack Obama needed to win
the majority of the popular vote
538 electoral votes
270 electoral votes
the majority of both the popular and the electoral vote
- 47. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT an example of our checks and balances system?
The Judicial branch can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional
The Legislative branch can impeach the President
The President can veto rulings of the Judicial branch
The Legislative branch must approve the budget created by the President
- 48. Multiple Choice
What rights is a person under arrest being informed of when they are read their Miranda rights?
the right to remain silent
the right to have an attorney present during questioning
the right to a free attorney if you cannot afford one
All of these
- 49. Multiple Choice
The division of power in government into three levels—local, state, and federal, is known as
checks and balances.
Federalism.
separation of powers.
None of these.
- 50. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a correct pairing of a branch of government with its head?
Legislative—Congress
Judicial—Supreme Court
Executive—President
None of these.
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