Foundations of American Government
Which idea from the Declaration of Independence means people have the right to change their government?
A. Rule of law
D. Right to alter/abolish government
Which is an example of a civic responsibility?
A. Serving on a jury
B. Voting in elections
C. Obeying laws
D. Paying taxes
B. Voting in elections
A bill is introduced in Congress, debated, and passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to the president. Which branch of government is responsible for making laws in this process?
A. Executive
B. Judicial
C. Legislative
D. Federal
C. Legislative
Which is an example of a state law?
A. U.S. Constitution
B. Florida traffic law
C. Supreme Court ruling
D. Declaration of Independence
B. Florida traffic law
Which is an example of domestic policy? (domestic means inside the county)
A. Trade agreement with another country
B. Declaring war
C. Building highways
D. Foreign aid
C. Building highways
Which document limited the power of the king and influenced American government?
A. Federalist Papers
B. The Magna Carta
C. U.S. Constitution
D. Articles of Confederation
B. The Magna Carta
Which is a duty/obligation of U.S. citizens?
A. Volunteering
B. Voting
C. Paying taxes
D. Attending town meetings
C. Paying taxes
The President vetoing a law is an example of:
A. Federalism
B. Judicial review
C. Checks and balances
D. Popular sovereignty
C. Checks and balances
200
If a state law conflicts with the Constitution (federal law), which law wins?
A. Federal
B. Neither
C. State
D. Judicial
A. Federal
Which is an example of foreign policy? (foreign = outside the country)
A. Raising taxes
B. Signing a treaty
C. Building schools
D. Passing local laws
B. Signing a treaty
Which Enlightenment idea means the government serves to protect peoples' rights and the people in turn support the government? (Bonus points if you write down the Enlightenment thinker who believed in this idea)
A. Natural rights
B. Social Contract
C. Consent of the governed
D. Popular sovereignty
B. Social contract (it was John Locke's idea!)
A citizen speaking at a school board meeting is demonstrating:
A. Judicial review
B. Civic participation
C. Federalism
D. Separation of powers
B. Civic participation
Which level of government shares power with the national government?
A. Local
B. State
C. Judicial
D. Legislative
B. State
What is the main role of the judicial branch?
A. Make laws
B. Enforce laws
C. Interpret laws
D. Create policies
C. Interpret laws
A decision to send aid (help) to another country after a natural disaster is an example of:
A. Domestic policy
B. Judicial action
C. Foreign policy
D. Economic system
C. Foreign policy
A government that must follow its own laws is demonstrating which principle?
A. Individual rights
B. Natural rights
C. Rule of Law
D. Federalism
C. Rule of Law
Which scenario best demonstrates a right protected by the First Amendment?
A. A citizen purchases a firearm after passing a background check.
B. A student writes and publishes an opinion article in the school newspaper criticizing a new school policy.
C. A defendant is guaranteed a lawyer during a criminal trial.
D. Police must obtain a warrant before searching a person’s home.
B. A student writes and publishes an opinion article in the school newspaper criticizing a new school policy.
The division and sharing of power between national and state governments is called:
A. Separation of powers
B. Checks and balances
C. Federalism
D. Limited government
C. Federalism
The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional is called:
A. Federalism
B. Due process
C. Judicial review
D. Popular sovereignty
(Bonus if you say which court case established this principle)
C. Judicial review
(Bonus: Marbury v. Madison)
Confederal System of government, the states have all the power.
Federal System of government, the states and national government share power.
_________ system of government, the national government has all the power.
A. Oligarchy
B. Theocracy
C. Unitary
D. Parliamentary
C. Unitary
“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” “For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us.”
What is the main purpose of the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?
A. To explain how laws are made
B. To justify breaking away from Great Britain
C. To establish a new court system
D. To outline voting rights
B. To justify breaking away from Great Britain
Which scenario best demonstrates a protection guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment?
A. A suspect is informed of their right to remain silent before being questioned by police.
B.A citizen is not forced by the United States government to house and feed a soldier
C. Law enforcement obtains a signed warrant from a judge before searching a suspect’s apartment.
D. A defendant is required to testify against themselves during a trial.
C. Law enforcement obtains a signed warrant from a judge before searching a suspect’s apartment.
The President disagrees with a law that Congress passed and vetoes it. Congress votes again and gets enough votes to override the veto. The law still goes into effect. Which principle is best illustrated by this example?
A. Rule of law
B. Federalism
C. Checks and balances
D. Individual rights
C. Checks and balances
Which Landmark Supreme Court case declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional? (goes against the Constitution)
A. Gideon v. Wainwright
B. Brown v. Board of Education
C. Plessy v. Ferguson
D. Miranda v. Arizona
B. Brown v. Board of Education
In Country X, a small group of wealthy families controls the government and makes all major decisions. In Country Y, one king holds all political power and passes leadership to his heir.
Part A: Which type of government is illustrated in Country X?
A. Democracy
B. Oligarchy
C. Autocracy
D. Republic
Part B: Which type of government is illustrated in Country Y?
A. Dictatorship
B. Theocracy
C. Monarchy
D. Confederation
Part A: Answer: B. Oligarchy
Part B: Answer: C. Monarchy