Category 1
This passage comes from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution:
"We the People of the United States... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"
Based on this passage, which foundational principle is being described?
A. Rule of law
B. Due process of law
C. Limited government
D. Equality of mankind
C. Limited government
This image describes a citizen obligation:
*Image shows silhouettes of faces that says "Jury Duty: Serve with Pride"
Based on this image, what can be presumed about citizen obligations?
A. Citizens support attending civic meetings
B. Citizens support securing individual rights
C. Citizens resist registering for selective service
D. Citizens resist contributing to the common good
D. Citizens resist contributing to the common good
The diagram shows steps in the election process at the national level:
1. Voter registration is open
2. Candidates announce their intent to run for office
3. ?
4. The general election is held
Which statement best completes step 3?
A. Political parties hold midterm elections
B. The winner of the political debates takes the oath of office
C. Primary elections are held to narrow down the candidates
D. State legislatures cast votes to determine who will appear on the ballot
C. Primary elections are held to narrow down the candidates
How does monarchy differ from other forms of government?
A. Leaders are born into ruling families
B. Leaders are named in the Constitution
C. Leaders are chosen by the upper class
D. Leaders are given power by the people
A. Leaders are born into ruling families
How did the passage of this amendment to the U.S. Constitution impact the political process in the United States?
A. Women were allowed to contribute to political campaigns
B. Women were allowed to vote in national elections
C. Women were allowed to hold citizenship rights
D. Women were allowed to hold public office
B. Women were allowed to vote in national elections
Magna Carta --> Limited monarchy
Mayflower Compact --> ?
Which phrase completes the diagram?
A. Separation of powers
B. Economic freedom
C. Individual rights
D. Self-government
D. Self-government
Which action represents an individual exercising a constitutional right?
A. quartering soldiers
B. organizing a protest
C. preventing double jeopardy
D. issuing a summary judgment
B. organizing a protest
After serving as a U.S. Senator, Laura decided to run for governor of Florida. Steve, Laura's opponent, claims in court that Laura is not qualified to run. A judge rules in Steve's favor.
Which statement is the best explanation for why Steve won the lawsuit?
A. Laura has never owned land in Florida
B. Laura is not yet forty years old
C. Laura is not a Florida resident
D. Laura has never voted
C. Laura is not a Florida resident
What do a republic and a democracy have in common?
A. rule by the people
B. rule by a single leader
C. rule by a single political party
D. rule by a small group of leaders
A. rule by the people
A country with very strong economic ties to the United States is allowing human rights violations to take place.
Which foreign-policy method would the United States typically perform as a first response?
A. Initiate a trade ban
B. Initiate public protests
C. Initiate diplomatic talks
D. Initiate a military operation
C. Initiate diplomatic talks
This passage was written by Thomas Paine in his pamphlet, Common Sense:
"And as he hath shown himself such an... enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for... power, is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, "You shall make no laws but what I please?"
Based on this passage, how is the author's view reflected in the U.S. political system?
A. The monarchy creates limited government
B. The monarchy supports self government
C. Representatives are appointed
D. Representatives are elected
D. Representatives are elected
Which U.S. Supreme Court decision addresses the need for public schools to balance students' rights with principals' responsibilities?
A. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
B. Gideon v. Wainwright
C. Plessy v. Ferguson
D. Bush v. Gore
A. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Who do lobbyists represent in their attempts to influence government?
A. newly elected officials
B. active duty soldiers
C. interest groups
D. circuit judges
C. interest groups
Which branch of the national government makes laws?
Legislative
A homeowner was upset by a notice changing the day of trash collection and decided to write a letter to a government office responsible for providing the service.
To which public official should the homeowner write?
A. U.S. President
B. U.S. Senator
C. State Representative
D. County Commissioner
D. County Commissioner
The "image" below shows the structure of the U.S. government:
Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch
*Picture shows the buildings of each branch
Which Enlightenment idea is represented by this image?
A. Separation of powers
B. Checks and balances
C. Social contract
D. Natural law
A. Separation of powers
This scenario describes an event during World War I:
"A Socialist...distributed pamphlets stating: "... officers of the law... violate the... United States Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land, when they refuse to recognize your right to assert your opposition to the draft." The Socialist was arrested and convicted for distributing these pamphlets. He appealed his arrest and conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court which upheld the government's actions."
What long-term precedent was established by this U.S. Supreme Court decision?
A. 10th Amendment rights are protected but not unlimited
B. 1st Amendment rights are protected but not unlimited
C. Party membership is unconstitutional
D. Selective service is constitutional
B. 1st Amendment rights are protected but not unlimited
The governor has proposed an idea for a new law in Florida that will require kindergarten students to pass a difficult test to be promoted to first grade. Parents of kindergarteners in Florida are very upset about this new bill.
Which state agency would be the best for parents to contact to voice their concerns about this issue?
A. Florida Department of Transportation
B. Florida Department of Education
C. Florida Department of Revenue
D. Florida Department of Justice
B. Florida Department of Education
Which statement describes a similarity between the state and federal governments under the U.S. Constitution?
A. Both levels of government allow for the election of judges
B. Both levels of government allow for the collection of taxes
C. Both levels of government have the power to ratify treaties
D. Both levels of government have the power to appoint ambassadors
B. Both levels of government allow for the collection of taxes
A. Steve teaches others about the World Trade Organization
B. Chris writes a report on the history of the United Nations
C. Liz reads the latest decisions made by the International Court of Justice
D. Kim volunteers to raise funds for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
D. Kim volunteers to raise funds for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
Which colonial concern led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
A. The king imposed taxes on the colonists
B. The king required the colonists to elect a governor
C. The British government denied the colonists the right to petition
D. The British government denied the colonists representation in the legislature
D. The British government denied the colonists representation in the legislature
This photograph illustrates an event in U.S. history:
*Two African-American men are standing next to a sign that reads: "March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom"
What was the legislative response to the protest sign shown in this photograph?
A. Congress passed a bill that decreased political opportunities
B. Congress passed a bill that increased economic opportunities
C. State legislatures passed bills decreasing military opportunities
D. State legislatures passed bills increasing religious opportunities
B. Congress passed a bill that increased economic opportunities
Which action is an example of a foreign policy decision?
A. Congress increased providing support to newly arrived immigrants
B. The President requested a law to regulate pollution near international borders
C. Congress raised educational standards to make students competitive in a global market
D. The President signed an executive order restoring relations with a communist government
D. The President signed an executive order restoring relations with a communist government
Which role does the Senate have in U.S. foreign policy?
A. confirming cabinet secretaries
B. nominating ambassadors
C. introducing tariff bills
D. negotiating treaties
A. confirming cabinet secretaries
Which executive authority can be exercised by both the Florida Governor and a mayor in Florida?
A. Both appoint justices to the Florida Supreme Court
B. Both may call up the Florida National Guard
C. Both enforce laws in their jurisdiction
D. Both interpret laws in their courts
C. Both enforce laws in their jurisdiction