SS.7.C.1.6
SS.7.C.1.7
SS.7.C.3.3
SS.7.C.3.8
SS.7.C.3.11
100
Which part of the U.S. Constitution states the six purposes of government?
A Bill of Rights
B Article IV
C Preamble
D Article I
Preamble
Correct – The Preamble states the six purposes of government: to form a more perfect union; establish justice; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare; secure the blessings of liberty now and in the future.
100
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
A
overriding vetoes
B
appointing judges
C
declaring laws unconstitutional
D
refusing to confirm appointments
D
refusing to confirm appointments
Correct-Presidential appointments are subject to Senate confirmation in order to take effect.
100
Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power?
A
First Amendment
B
Bill of Rights
C
Preamble
D
Article I
D
Article I
Correct-Article I of the U.S. Constitution lists the powers of Congress, the legislative branch.
100
Who is responsible for breaking a tie vote in the Florida Senate?
A
the speaker of the House of Representatives
B
the chief justice of the Supreme Court
C
the lieutenant governor
D
the governor
C
the lieutenant governor
Correct-The Florida Constitution requires that the lieutenant governor break ties on Senate actions.
100
The trial process is listed below
Which option completes the trial process?
A
cross examination
B
jury instructions
C
investigation
D
verdict
D
verdict
Correct-The role of juries is to determine verdicts which represent the final step in trials.
200
In the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, what is the meaning of the phrase “We the People”?
Government receives its power from the people and exists to serve them.
Government receives taxes from the people and exists to support them
The people express their will by directly creating laws.
The people express their will through political parties
Government receives its power from the people and exists to serve them. Correct – “We the People” is a reference to popular sovereignty, which means that the government exists because the people consent to its establishment. The U.S. government was created by
200
The statement below was written by John Adams in April 1776.
"A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly."
Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this statement?
A
separation of powers
B
individual rights
C
natural laws
D
civic virtue
A
separation of powers
Correct-Adams is stating that separating powers is one way to ensure that the people be free.
200
The passage below is from a speech by President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003
"On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign."
What constitutional power justifies the actions described in the passage?
A
commander-in-chief
B
negotiator-in-chief
C
chief legislator
D
chief regulator
A
commander-in-chief
Correct-The president is the highest civilian officer in the military. As commander-in-chief the president has the power to order military strikes.
200
Which action formally accuses a government official of “wrongdoing”?
filibuster
impeach
override
pardon
impeach
Correct-Impeachment is a formal accusation of wrongdoing that is brought against government officials.
200
What power is held by the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court?
A
Both courts may issue writs of habeas corpus.
B
Both courts may issue writs of mandamus.
C
Neither court hears equal protection cases.
D
Neither court hears death penalty cases.
A
Both courts may issue writs of habeas corpus.
Correct-The power to issue writs of habeas corpus is given to both the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. A writ of habeas corpus is used to bring someone before one of these two courts to determine whether or not that person is being lawfully imprisoned.
300
The statement below is from a historical document
"We the People of the United States... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
How is this statement reflected in the modern American political system?
Voters elect Congress members.
B The Electoral College elects Congress.
C Congress enforces policies
D The president enacts policies.
Voters elect Congress members.
Correct – The U.S. Constitution as it was written allowed voters to elect members of the U.S. House of Representatives while the U.S. Senators were to be elected by state legislatures. The 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1913, now provides for voters to elect both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate which are, together, the Congress.
300
The table below describes several powers of the U.S. government.
1
Senate confirms nominations
Congress overrides vetoes
2
President nominates judges
President vetoes legislation
3
Supreme Court declares laws unconstitutional
Supreme Court hears cases between states
Which two principles are described in this table?
A
separation of powers and checks and balances
B
separation of powers and popular sovereignty
C
federalism and judicial review
D
federalism and republicanism
separation of powers and checks and balances
Correct-The table separates the powers of government among legislative (Senate), executive (president) and judicial (Supreme Court).
300
The following passage is from McCulloch v. Maryland (1819).
"If … such be the mandate of the Constitution, we have only to obey; but that instrument does not profess to enumerate the means by which the powers it confers may be executed…"
Which constitutional provision does this decision support?
A
commerce clause
B
judicial review
C
habeas corpus
D
elastic clause
D
elastic clause
Correct-The passage focuses on how the powers of government are enforced. The elastic clause gives Congress the right to do what it needs to fulfill its powers.
300
What powers do the Florida governor and U.S. president have in common?
A
deliver State of the Union address, four-year term, commander-in-chief, grant pardons
B
six-year term, grant pardons, make treaties, commander-in-chief
C
grant pardons, veto, deliver State of the Union address, six-year term
D
veto, grant pardons, chief executive, four-year term
D
veto, grant pardons, chief executive, four-year term
Correct-The U.S. president and the Florida governor both share the veto power, the power to grant pardons, a four-year term and the role of chief executive.
300
The passage below describes a dispute between two neighbors.
---------------------------
Liz’s 16 year old daughter backed into Doug’s car while it was parked in front of his house. Doug sued Liz for $1500 to cover the cost of repairing the car.
---------------------------
Which court heard the case?
A
Circuit Court of Appeals
B
Florida Supreme Court
C
appellate court
D
county court
D
county court
Correct-A county court serves as a court of original jurisdiction for cases involving one person suing another for an amount less than $5000.
400
The statement below was made by President Lyndon B. Johnson during an address to the nation on March 31, 1968.
"I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President."
Which intention of the Preamble is reflected in the statement?
A
Government holds frequent elections.
B
Government exists to serve the people.
C
Government promotes the general welfare.
D
Government provides for the common defense.
Government exists to serve the people.
Correct-The president’s statement is connected with “We the People” from the Preamble because the president stated that he would not be seeking election for president for another term, using the phrase ‘your president’ in doing so.
400
Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares an act of Congress unconstitutional?
A
separation of powers
B
checks and balances
C
advice and consent
D
executive privilege
checks and balances
Correct-The principle of checks and balances allows one branch to challenge, or check, the actions of one or more branches.
400
Which list includes roles of the president?
A
Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief
B
Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive
C
Speaker of the House, Chief Executive
D
Speaker of the House, Chief Justice
B
Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive
Correct-The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces as well as the chief executive.
400
The chart below shows the structures of local, state, and national governments.
Which choice best completes the last box in Row 1?
A
Chief Justice
B
City Council
C
Representative
D
Senator
B
City Council
Correct-Row 1 focuses on the institutions that hold legislative power. City councils hold legislative power at the local government level.
400
The passage below describes a U.S. Supreme Court decision
"
In 1940, the Texas Democratic Party refused to give an African-American man a ballot to select candidates to run for Congress and governor.
In finding this action unconstitutional “…this Court is not constrained to follow a previous decision which…, involves the application of a constitutional principle, rather than an interpretation of the Constitution to evolve the principle itself.”
What does this court decision illustrate?
A
The court has the power to accept appeals cases.
B
The court has the power of judicial review.
C
The court is a district court.
D
The court is a trial court.
B
The court has the power of judicial review.
Correct- The passage outlines a U.S. Supreme Court decision. With the passage showing that the Court is not obligated to follow past decisions (“constrained to follow a previous decision”), the Supreme Court is demonstrating that it is using its power of judicial review.
500
This newspaper headline describes an event in U.S. history.
"President Eisenhower Sends Federal Troops to Enforce Integration in Schools."
Which government purpose identified in the Preamble is reflected in the headline?
A
ensure domestic tranquility
B
promote the general welfare
C
secure the blessings of liberty
D
provide for the common defense
A
ensure domestic tranquility
Correct-The president’s power as commander-in-chief includes the power to use troops to ensure domestic tranquility.
500
Which principle supports President Eisenhower’s action to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that public schools should be integrated?
A
judicial review
B
checks and balances
C
separation of powers
D
constitutional government
D
constitutional government
Correct-The president’s decision to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court decision is an example of constitutional government because the president supported the Supreme Court by upholding its decision.
500
The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.
"Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States"
How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions?
A
presidential impeachment
B
presidential nomination
C
presidential election
D
presidential veto
A
presidential impeachment
Correct-The statement outlines the reasons that President Richard Nixon was being impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives.
500
The table below describes presidential vetoes
Based on the table, how has the legislative process been impacted by presidential vetoes?
A
The presidents’ views are not reflected in public policy.
B
The presidents’ views are reflected in public policy.
C
Congress represents the will of the people.
D
Congress represents the will of the states.
B
The presidents’ views are reflected in public policy.
Correct- The low rate of vetoes being overridden shows that if a president does not want a bill passed by both houses of Congress that the chances are high that that bill will not become law. The president’s views are then reflected in public policy because bills that the president does not support do not become public policy because most of the time vetoes are not overridden.
500
What is the correct order of Florida's courts, from lowest to highest authority?
A circuit courts, Florida Supreme Court, county courts, District Court of Appeals
B county courts, circuit courts, District Court of Appeals, Florida Supreme Court
C District Court of Appeals, Florida Supreme Court, county courts, circuit courts
D Florida Supreme Court, circuit courts, District Court of Appeals, county courts
B county courts, circuit courts, District Court of Appeals, Florida Supreme Court Correct – County courts have original jurisdiction over traffic violations, divorces and other local matters. Circuit courts have original jurisdiction over felony criminal trials and civil cases. Districts Courts of Appeal have appellate jurisdiction over cases that originate in the county and circuit courts. The Florida Supreme Court is the highest state court.