Unit 1
Which document is considered the supreme law of the land in the United States?
A) The Declaration of Independence
B) The Constitution
C) The Bill of Rights
D) The Articles of Confederation
B) The Constitution
What term describes a person’s political leanings, such as liberal or conservative?
A) Partisanship
B) Public opinion
C) Political ideology
D) Lobbying
C) Political ideology
What are the two major political parties in the United States today?
A) Whigs and Federalists
B) Republicans and Democrats
C) Libertarians and Greens
D) Populists and Progressives
B) Republicans and Democrats
Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for making laws?
A) Executive
B) Judicial
C) Legislative
D) Media
B) Judicial
Which amendment protects freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly?
A) First Amendment
B) Second Amendment
C) Fifth Amendment
D) Tenth Amendment
A) First Amendment
What principle divides power between the federal government and the states?
A) Judicial review
B) Federalism
C) Popular sovereignty
D) Separation of powers
B) Federalism
What is the term for the process by which people acquire their political beliefs (e.g. from family, school, media)?
A) Political socialization
B) Political mobilization
C) Voter registration
D) Civil engagement
A) Political socialization
What is a group called that tries to influence public policy on behalf of a particular interest?
A) Political party
B) Lobbying firm
C) Interest group
D) Media corporation
C) Interest group
How many houses does the U.S. Congress have?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
B) Two
What is the legal principle that ensures equal treatment under the law — especially relevant to civil rights?
A) Due process
B) Judicial review
C) Federalism
D) Separation of powers
A) Due process
Which compromise at the Constitutional Convention allowed enslaved people to be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation?
A) Supremacy Clause
B) Judicial activism
C) Judicial review
D) Federalism
C) Judicial review
What do we call a group of people with a common political identity who attempt to influence government policy?
A) Political party
B) Lobbying firm
C) Media outlet
D) Interest group
A) Political party
Which term describes a major shift in the political landscape when many voters switch party allegiance, often after a critical election?
A) Realignment
B) Coalition building
C) Gerrymandering
D) Partisanship
A) Realignment
Who has the power to nominate federal judges, including members of the Supreme Court?
A) Congress
B) The President
C) The Supreme Court
D) State governors
B) The President
What kind of policy deals with government decisions about taxing and spending?
A) Social policy
B) Fiscal policy
C) Monetary policy
D) Foreign policy
B) Fiscal policy
Which compromise at the Constitutional Convention allowed enslaved people to be counted for the purposes of representation and taxation?
A) The Great Compromise
B) The Commerce Compromise
C) The Three-Fifths Compromise
D) The Slave Trade Compromise
C) The Three-Fifths Compromise
What term refers to a strong loyalty to one political party, often regardless of issues or candidates?
A) Dealignment
B) Partisanship
C) Bipartisanship
D) Independent voting
B) Partisanship
What concept describes drawing legislative district boundaries to favor one party over another?
A) Realignment
B) Filibuster
C) Gerrymandering
D) Redistricting
C) Gerrymandering
What is the term for the system that Congress uses to check the President’s power — for example, overriding a veto?
A) Judicial review
B) Checks and balances
C) Federalism
D) Delegated powers
B) Checks and balances
What U.S. policy tool involves regulating trade and tariffs with other countries?
A) Domestic policy
B) Judicial policy
C) Foreign policy
D) Monetary policy
C) Foreign policy
Which Enlightenment thinker’s ideas about natural rights and social contract most directly influenced the Declaration of Independence?
A) Thomas Hobbes
B) John Locke
C) Montesquieu
D) Jean-Jacques Rousseau
B) John Locke
Which factor tends to have the strongest influence on a person’s political views?
A) Social media
B) Peer groups
C) Religious beliefs
D) Family background
D) Family background
What role does mass media play in shaping public opinion about politics?
A) Ensures all news is factual
B) Serves as a watchdog and provides information
C) Elects political leaders
D) Drafts legislation
B) Serves as a watchdog and provides information
What doctrine gives federal courts the power to strike down laws that violate the Constitution?
A) Federalism
B) Judicial review
C) Separation of powers
D) Enumerated powers
B) Judicial review
What court case established the principle of “separate but equal,” which affected civil rights for decades?
A) Brown v. Board of Education
B) Roe v. Wade
C) Plessy v. Ferguson
D) Marbury v. Madison
C) Plessy v. Ferguson