Origins/Purposes of Law/Gov't
Which document was an agreement by early American settlers that provided for self-government?
A The U.S. Constitution
B The Mayflower Compact
C The Articles of Confederation
D The Declaration of Independence
B The Mayflower Compact
Which statement describes a difference between the duties of state and federal governments?
A The federal government builds roads.
B The federal government mints coins.
C State governments establish courts.
D State governments levy taxes.
B The federal government mints coins.
The list of questions below is used to determine whether a candidate meets the constitutional requirements to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
● What is the candidate’s age?
● How long has the candidate been a U.S. citizen?
● ?
Which question completes this list?
A Which state is the candidate a resident of?
B Does the candidate have a college degree?
C Does the candidate have a political background?
D Which branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is the candidate a veteran of?
A Which state is the candidate a resident of?
The excerpt below is about the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963).
"The Court held that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial and, as such, applies to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment."
How does this U.S. Supreme Court decision protect individual rights?
A It provides defendants a jury of their peers.
B It allows lawyers to call witnesses for defendants.
C It allows defendants to set aside fines they cannot pay.
D It provides defendants legal representation if they cannot afford it.
D It provides defendants legal representation if they cannot afford it.
The actions described below are from the Declaration of Independence.
"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant . . . He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly . . ."
How did these actions affect the colonists?
A Colonists were unable to pay their taxes.
B Colonists were unable to petition the king.
C Colonists were unable to participate in their government.
D Colonists were unable to play a part in community service.
C Colonists were unable to participate in their government.
How does a federal system of government differ from a unitary system?
A The central government passes laws in a federal system.
B States hold some government powers in a federal system.
C The central government collects taxes in a federal system.
D Voters elect some government leaders in a federal system.
B States hold some government powers in a federal system.
What was the main reason President Harry S. Truman went to the United Nations in response to the Communist invasion of South Korea in 1950?
A to advance U.S. political goals in the United Nations
B to justify U.S. economic support for the United Nations
C to seek international support for the defense of South Korea
D to ask troops to prevent a political overthrow of South Korea
C to seek international support for the defense of South Korea
Why are people required to pass a U.S. citizenship test as part of the naturalization process?
A to create a safer society
B to create a healthier society
C to encourage a more informed citizenry
D to encourage a more privileged citizenry
C to encourage a more informed citizenry
Which purpose of the government as stated in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution influenced the creation of a national court system?
A establish justice
B insure domestic tranquility
C promote the general welfare
D secure the blessings of liberty
A establish justice
What role does the Cabinet serve at the federal level?
A It advises the president on national issues and assists in operating the government.
B It works with the political party in power to ensure members support the president’s agenda.
C It works with the major news organizations to ensure public support for upcoming legislation.
D It advises government leaders on procedural matters and assists in the passage of legislation.
A It advises the president on national issues and assists in operating the government.
Which action is an example of a foreign-policy decision?
A Congress passes a bill establishing Italian heritage month.
B Congress approves funds to modernize housing on a military base in Florida.
C The State Department honors a former U.S. ambassador to India with a Distinguished Service Award.
D The State Department issues a U.S. presidential permit for a bridge to be built from Michigan to Canada.
D The State Department issues a U.S. presidential permit for a bridge to be built from Michigan to Canada.
Which constitutional issue is associated with the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona?
A rights of the government
B rights of the accused
C freedom of religion
D freedom of speech
B rights of the accused
During the ratification process, which complaint did the Anti-Federalists have with the U.S. Constitution?
A It failed to protect individual rights.
B It failed to recognize regional differences.
C It failed to provide for fair local representation.
D It failed to create a strong central government.
A It failed to protect individual rights.
The excerpt below was published in 1788.
"In the . . . republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments . . . The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself."
Which principle of government is described in this excerpt?
A direct democracy
B judicial review
C rule of law
D federalism
D federalism
Why is it important to understand that U.S. domestic and foreign policies can be closely linked?
A Many U.S. government regulations influence both national and international businesses.
B Many U.S. government decisions influence both national and international actions.
C Many U.S. government laws involve both national and international procedures.
D Many U.S. government actions involve both national and international citizens.
B Many U.S. government decisions influence both national and international actions.
How was the demand for women’s suffrage settled?
A A petition was addressed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
B An amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution.
C The U.S. President issued an executive order.
D The U.S. Congress passed a law.
B An amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution.
The excerpt below was written by Noah Webster in 1785.
"Plan of Policy for improving the Advantages and perpetuating the Union of the American States. In the first place, there must be a supreme power at the head of the union, vested with authority to make laws that respect the states in general and to compel obedience to these laws. Such a power must exist in every society or no man is safe."
According to the excerpt, which problem did the Articles of Confederation create?
A a lack of checks on legislative powers
B a lack of powers given to state legislatures
C the lack of authority to enforce congressional acts
D the lack of authority to apportion congressional districts
C the lack of authority to enforce congressional acts
Why do both the U.S. President and the U.S. Senate have the power to approve judges to the federal courts?
A to ensure that the branches work together
B to expand the power of the executive branch
C to increase the power of the legislative branch
D to ensure that the branches seek voter support
A to ensure that the branches work together
Which action did the U.S. government take to help make the world a safer place to live?
A It helped found the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.
B It withdrew from the International Red Cross in 1863.
C It helped found the United Nations (UN) in 1945.
D It withdrew from the European Union in 1993.
C It helped found the United Nations (UN) in 1945.
The excerpt below is from a speech delivered by Alexander Hamilton in 1788.
"Good constitutions are formed upon a comparison of the liberty of the individual with the strength of government: If the tone of either be too high, the other will be weakened too much."
How is Hamilton’s opinion evident in the U.S. Constitution?
A by protecting individuals from strong leaders
B by sheltering government from social influences
C by joining the powers of individuals and government
D by balancing the powers of individuals and government
D by balancing the powers of individuals and government