The American Court System
Foreign Policy
The Constitution
Influential Documents
Rules & Governance
100
Which statement describes a difference between civil law and criminal law?
A Only civil cases can be appealed to the highest court.
B Criminal cases involve offenses harmful to the public.
C Civil cases involve offenses punishable by jail time. D Only criminal cases are ruled on by a jury
B Criminal cases involve offenses harmful to the public.
100
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.
100
Which is one constitutional requirement to be eligible to be elected as President of the United States?
A a resident for at least 20 years
B previous government service
C a member of a political party
D at least 35 years of age
D at least 35 years of age
100
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
100
Which statement describes separation of powers?
A Civil servants are not subject to political pressure. B Presidential power is not subject to congressional oversight.
C Civilian authorities have control over the branches of the military.
D Political authority is divided among the branches of the government.
D Political authority is divided among the branches of the government.
200
. 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
200
he information below is about the Marshall Plan. When World War II ended in 1945, Europe lay in ruins: its cities were shattered; its economies were devastated; its people faced famine. . . . To meet this emergency, Secretary of State George Marshall proposed, in a speech at Harvard University on June 5, 1947, that European nations create a plan for their economic reconstruction and that the United States provide economic assistance. On December 19, 1947, President Harry Truman sent Congress a message that followed Marshall’s ideas to provide economic aid to Europe. Congress overwhelmingly passed the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948, and on April 3, 1948, President Truman signed the act that became known as the Marshall Plan. Source: Public Domain/National Archives and Records Administration
Which was a long-term result of the Marshall Plan on these European countries?
A Many have economies that are dependent on the United States.
B Many have been strong allies of the United States. C Most have been strong supporters of communists. D Most have parliamentary governments
A Many have economies that are dependent on the United States.
200
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
200
What was the significance of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense?
A It was a published document outlining personal rights in Great Britain.
B It was an influential work calling for independence from Great Britain.
C It was a popular almanac instructing colonial farmers.
D It was a written framework of colonial government.
B It was an influential work calling for independence from Great Britain.
200
Which statement describes the intent of checks and balances?
A The government receives revenue from the people. B The government receives authority from the people.
C No branch of government can become too powerful.
D No branch of government can apply concurrent powers.
C No branch of government can become too powerful.
300
Which situation is an example of double jeopardy?
A ) A person is put on trial without a lawyer and found guilty.
B) A person is found guilty after a trial and convicted of multiple crimes.
C) A person is found guilty after a trial and receives an unreasonable sentence.
D)A person is put on trial and found guilty of a crime for which he or she has already been tried.
D)A person is put on trial and found guilty of a crime for which he or she has already been tried.
300
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.
C The State Department honors a former U.S. ambassador to India with a Distinguished Service Award.
300
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.
300
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. Source: Excerpted text from the original publication from 1898/Public Domain
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
300
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.
400
The passage below describes a court decision.
How did the court apply the 14th Amendment to decide this case?
A) To deny a native person citizenship rights does not support constitutional principles
B)A naturalized citizen possesses all the rights of a native citizen according to the Constitution
C)Persons born outside the U.S. are not permitted to pursue citizenship because they are unemployed.
D)Persons born outside the U.S. are not permitted to pursue citizenship because they do not own property
A) To deny a native person citizenship rights does not support constitutional principles
400
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.
400
The excerpt below is from the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Source: National Archives and Records Administration/Public Domain
When it was first ratified, which group of people did this amendment address?
A Chinese immigrants
B Mexican immigrants
C Asian-American men
D African-American men
D African-American men
400
The excerpt below was published by Montesquieu in 1748.
When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person . . . there can be no liberty . . . Again, there is no liberty, if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers. Source: Excerpts from original publication published in 1823 titled: “The Spirit of Laws,” Vol. 1/Public Domain
How did these ideas influence the writers of the U.S. Constitution?
A The Constitution establishes a two-house legislature.
B The Constitution grants executive power over foreign policy.
C The Constitution makes the legislature the strongest branch of government.
D The Constitution distributes power among the three branches of government
D The Constitution distributes power among the three branches of government
400
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.
500
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. Source: Public Domain 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.
500
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
500
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. Source: Library of Congress/Public Domain
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
500
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 . . . Source: National Archives and Records Administration/Public Domain 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.
500
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.