Citizenship
foundations of government
road to constitution
Branches of Government
amendments and bill of rights
100

Define the term "citizen." (SS.7.CG.2.1)

A person recognized under law as a member of a state/nation

100

Oh no...

Plus 200 points.


100

Name the document that declared the American colonies' independence from Britain. (SS.7.CG.1.5)

What is...Declaration of Independence. 

100

Name the three branches of the U.S. government. (SS.7.CG.3.3)

Legislative, Executive, Judicial.

100

What is the purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution? (SS.7.CG.1.8)

Preamble states goals such as "establish justice" and "secure the blessings of liberty."

200

Oh Em Gee!!!

Give all your points to any team.

200

What is the "rule of law"? Give a short definition. (SS.7.CG.1.11)

What is...Rule of law = everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.

200

Give one grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence in your own words. (SS.7.CG.1.6)

Example grievance: taxation without representation.

200

Give one main function of the legislative branch. (SS.7.CG.3.7)

Make laws, declare war, approve budgets.

200

 Name one right guaranteed by the First Amendment. (SS.7.CG.2.3)

Freedom of speech (or religion, press, assembly, petition).

300

Explain the difference between a responsibility and an obligation of citizenship and give one example of each. (SS.7.CG.2.2)

What is...Responsibility = voluntary (e.g., voting); obligation = required by law (e.g., paying taxes, jury duty). 

300

Identify one idea from John Locke or Montesquieu that influenced the Founding Fathers and explain it in one sentence. (SS.7.CG.1.4)

What is... Locke: natural rights; Montesquieu: separation of powers. 

300

Explain one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention. (SS.7.CG.1.7)

Weak federal government, no power to tax, no national judiciary or strong executive

300

Describe one power of the executive branch and one way it carries out that power. (SS.7.CG.3.8)

 Executive enforces laws; example: President issues executive orders, enforces federal law through agencies.

300

Explain the amendment process in Article V in one or two sentences. (SS.7.CG.3.5)

Article V: amendment proposed by 2/3 of Congress or national convention and ratified by 3/4 of states.

400

Describe how fulfilling civic obligations and responsibilities can impact society. Provide one clear example. (SS.7.CG.2.2)

What is... Voting (responsibility) leads to representation that affects laws; paying taxes (obligation) funds public services. 

400

List two documents (other than the U.S. Constitution) that shaped colonists’ views of government. (SS.7.CG.1.3)

What is... Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Common Sense 

400

Contrast one key belief of the Federalists and one key concern of the Anti-Federalists about ratifying the Constitution. (SS.7.CG.1.10)

Federalists: strong central government; Anti-Federalists: wanted bill of rights and more state power.

400

Explain the role of the judicial branch in one sentence. (SS.7.CG.3.9)

 Judicial interprets laws, resolves disputes, reviews constitutionality.

400

You might as well give up...

Plus 200 points.
500

A student is born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. Explain whether that student is a U.S. citizen at birth and why. (SS.7.CG.2.1)

What is ... Yes — children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may be U.S. citizens at birth due to law of blood. 

500

Trace how the principle of separation of powers helps prevent abuse of government power, including one specific example of a check one branch has on another. (SS.7.CG.1.4; SS.7.CG.1.11)

What is... Separation of powers divides duties among branches; e.g., Congress makes laws, President can veto, courts can rule laws unconstitutional.

500

Describe how British policies before the Revolution contributed to colonists deciding to write the Declaration of Independence. Use one specific policy as evidence. (SS.7.CG.1.5)

Example: Intolerable Acts punished Massachusetts — increased colonial unity and calls for independence.

500

Wowee...

Minus all your points.

500

Describe how the Bill of Rights safeguards individual rights and give one concrete classroom-level example of a right protected by the Constitution. (SS.7.CG.2.4; SS.7.CG.2.3)

First Amendment protects free speech—students can express opinions within certain school limits.