Documents
Fundamental Principles
Vocabulary
Who and What?
For Example
100
The Preamble expands on which idea found in the Declaration of Independence?
Hint: Think about the following parts of the Preamble:
"We the People of the United States ... establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
A) that all men are created equal
B) that people may throw off unjust governments
C) that people establish governments to protect their rights
D) that England had not acted in the best interest of the colonies
C) that people establish governments to protect their rights
100
The legislative branch makes laws and the executive branch enforces those laws. Which fundamental principle does this describe?
Separation of Powers
100
Local laws are also called
ordinances
100
Which Checks and Balance power is being shown? 
The presidential veto / rejection of a bill
100
Which levels of government work together during a pandemic (public health emergency)?
A) only the federal government
B) only the state government
C) only local government
D) all levels should work together
D) all levels should work together
200
The idea that people have natural rights came mainly from the :
Hint: break up letter
The Declaration of Independence
200
Which part of the U.S. Constitution best demonstrates the principle of popular sovereignty?
A. “We the People of the United States… do ordain and establish this Constitution…”
B. “…all legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress…”
C. “…the President shall be Commander in Chief…”
D. “…the judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court…”
A. “We the People of the United States… do ordain and establish this Constitution…”
200
What type of democracy?
Representative Citizens elect others to govern them.
A) Direct democracy
B) Representative democracy
B) Representative democracy
200
Read the headline:
Federal Court Rules Speech-Based Deportations of Non-Citizen Students and Academics Violate the First Amendment
- Ilya Somin | 9.30.2025 6:20
Which checks and balances power is this?
Judicial Review by the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and other Federal Courts)
200
Public schools, housing assistance, and public health are examples of?
A) Promoting general welfare
B) Insuring domestic tranquility
C) Providing for common defense
A) Promoting general welfare
300
According to Federalist No. 10, a large republic helps-
reduce the impact of factions
300
Why is the principle of separation of powers important in a democracy?
It limits the actions of each branch of government.
It keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful.
300
A senator can delay a bill from reaching the next step in this process by:
A) initiating a filibuster
B) using veto power
C) referring the bill to the judicial branch
D) impeaching the president
A) initiating a filibuster
300
The executive branch can "check" the power or the courts by...
appointing judges
300
Approving treaties and impeaching the Presidents are examples of checks by __________________ against the _______________________.
Approving treaties and impeaching the Presidents are examples of checks by CONGRESS against the PRESIDENT.
400
According to Federalist No. 51, a government needs a separation of powers and...
checks and balances
400
Choose the correct principle illustrated by the scenario below (choose the best answer):
"A senator is removed from office after being convicted of a crime."
A. Republicanism
B. Separation of powers
C. Limited government
D. Federalism
C. Limited government
A senator being found guilty and punished for break the law is "Rule of Law". Rule of Law supports limited government.
400
Shared powers between national and state governments
A) Delegated Powers
B) Reserved Powers
C) Concurrent Powers
C) Concurrent Powers
400
Which part of the Virginia government set rules for specific industries?
A) VA Supreme Court
B) President of the United States
C) The General Assembly
D) Virginia Regulatory Boards
D) Virginia Regulatory Boards
400
We have three levels of government, they are: Federal/National, State, and Local. Based, on your understanding of levels of government which is true about a COUNTY sheriff -
A. a federal official
B. a state official
C. a locally elected or appointed official
D. a tribal judge
C. a locally elected or appointed official
500
Which document established the three branches of the National government?
The US Constitution
500
Read the passage to answer the question.
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.—James Madison, The Federalist, Number 45
Which principle of the U.S. Constitution is explained in the excerpt?
A) Federalism
B) Democracy
C) popular sovereignty
A) federalism
500
Which principle requires the government to follow fair procedures before taking someone's life, freedom, or property?
Hint: In court or during our legal process. For example, they can not search your house without a warrant.
Due Process
500
During the lawmaking process, who is responsible for examining and revising bills?
A) The Governor
B) The General Assembly Committees
C) The Virginia Supreme Court
D)
B) The General Assembly Committees
500
Hearing federal cases involving federal laws is an example of power by which branch?
Judicial Branch