Power to the People
Why did the Founders include “We the People” in the Constitution?
A) To show all laws come from the president
B) To give power to the government, not the citizens
C) To show that government gets its power from the people
D) To allow judges to rule without elections
C) To show that government gets its power from the people
What type of government is ruled by the people, either directly or through representatives?
A) Monarchy
B) Democracy
C) Oligarchy
D) Dictatorship
B) Democracy
Which branch of government makes laws?
A) Executive
B) Legislative
C) Judicial
D) Local
B) Legislative
Which of the following is a civic responsibility?
A) Obeying the law
B) Voting in elections
C) Serving on a jury
D) Paying taxes
B) Voting in elections
Which document declared the American colonies free from Britain?
A) U.S. Constitution
B) Bill of Rights
C) Magna Carta
D) Declaration of Independence
D) Declaration of Independence
A new law allows police to enter homes without warrants. Which amendment might this violate?
A) 1st
B) 4th
C) 6th
D) 10th
B) 4th
In which system does the national government share power with state governments?
A) Unitary
B) Federal
C) Confederal
D) Parliamentary
B) Federal
The executive branch can check the legislative branch by:
A) Impeaching a senator
B) Vetoing a bill
C) Declaring a law unconstitutional
D) Issuing a court ruling
B) Vetoing a bill
Why is serving on a jury important?
A) It increases a person’s paycheck
B) It supports the legislative process
C) It ensures fair trials under the law
D) It promotes executive power
C) It ensures fair trials under the law
What did the Articles of Confederation lack, making them too weak?
A) A court system and president
B) A written constitution
C) A state government
D) Taxation of citizens
A) A court system and president
If Congress passes a law and the president signs it, but the Supreme Court later says it violates the Constitution, what has occurred?
A) Veto
B) Judicial review
C) Due process
D) Amendment
B) Judicial review
What’s one major advantage of a constitutional republic?
A) Power is inherited
B) Citizens have protected rights and elect leaders
C) Leaders rule by force
D) Religion controls government
B) Citizens have protected rights and elect leaders
A Supreme Court justice is being appointed. Which branches are involved?
A) Executive and judicial
B) Legislative and judicial
C) Executive and legislative
D) Judicial and local
C) Executive and legislative
A student writes a letter to Congress asking for a law change. What are they doing?
A) Breaking the law
B) Using their right to petition
C) Running for office
D) Protesting
B) Using their right to petition
Which British law forced colonists to house soldiers?
A) Quartering Act
B) Tea Act
C) Stamp Act
D) Intolerable Acts
A) Quartering Act
Why is the rule of law essential in a democracy?
A) It gives one branch power over the others
B) It allows elected officials to ignore the law
C) It protects individual rights and ensures equal treatment
D) It eliminates the need for courts
C) It protects individual rights and ensures equal treatment
A government where leaders are not elected, and citizens have no power is MOST likely what?
A) Direct democracy
B) Oligarchy
C) Republic
D) Constitutional monarchy
B) Oligarchy
Why is it important that the judicial branch is independent?
A) To pass laws faster
B) To follow orders from Congress
C) To fairly interpret laws without pressure
D) To raise taxes
C) To fairly interpret laws without pressure
What could happen if citizens don’t fulfill their civic duties?
A) More freedoms are granted
B) Government shuts down
C) Society becomes less fair and functional
D) New amendments are passed
C) Society becomes less fair and functional
What was the purpose of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?
A) To defend British rule
B) To encourage monarchy
C) To promote independence from Britain
D) To create new taxes
C) To promote independence from Britain
A protest group says they are being punished for expressing views about the government. What constitutional right is MOST relevant to this issue?
A) Right to a jury
B) Freedom of religion
C) Freedom of speech and assembly
D) Right to bear arms
C) Freedom of speech and assembly
Why might a country with a unitary government switch to a federal system?
A) To centralize all decision-making
B) To allow more power at local and regional levels
C) To eliminate the role of voters
D) To remove the judicial branch
B) To allow more power at local and regional levels
Congress wants to pass a law, but the president vetoes it. What must happen for the law to still pass?
A) Congress must pass it again with a 2/3 vote
B) The vice president must approve
C) The Supreme Court must rewrite it
D) The state legislatures must approve
A) Congress must pass it again with a 2/3 vote
A person believes a law is unjust. What’s the best civic action they could take?
A) Ignore the law
B) Vote and support new leaders
C) Refuse to pay taxes
D) Move to a new country
B) Vote and support new leaders
Which idea in the Declaration of Independence reflects John Locke’s influence?
A) Taxes should be high
B) Laws protect the monarchy
C) People have unalienable rights
D) Government should be elected by the elite
C) People have unalienable rights