END of Year Civics Competition

SS.7.C.3.1Different Forms of Government

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

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

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

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

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

SS.7.C.3.11Levels, Functions, and Powers of State and Federal Courts

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

_{The role of juries is to determine verdicts which represent the final step in trials.}

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.

_{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 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

_{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 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.

^{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

The graph below describes appeals filed by type of appeal in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, 1990-2010.

Based on the graph, what conclusion can be drawn about court cases in the U.S.?

A.  More civil cases are being filed without legal representation.

B.  More criminal cases are being filed without legal representation.

C.  More criminal actions are being dropped before trial.

D.  More civil actions are being dropped before trial.

A.  More civil cases are being filed without legal representation.

^{The increase of civil cases being filed without representation is evident in the increase in the number of civil appeals.  The federal government and state governments are not obligated to provide representation in civil cases, such as with a poor defendant.}      

SS.7.C.3.12Outcomes of Landmark Supreme Court Cases

100

Which principle was the focus of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

A.  freedom of expression

B.  freedom of speech

C.  self-incrimination

D.  right to counsel

C.  self-incrimination

_{The issue central to Miranda v. Arizona was the defendant’s right to remain silent to prevent self-incrimination.}

200

Which was an outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

A.  Administrators may limit the content of student publications.

B.  Public school districts that segregate deny equal protection.

C.  Students have a reduced expectation of privacy in school.

D.  Criminal defendants have the right to an attorney.

B.  Public school districts that segregate deny equal protection.

_{The Brown v. Board of Education case focused on school segregation.  The U.S. Supreme Court decided that public schools could not segregate students based on race.  The Court decided that segregating students by race violate students’ equal protection guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.}      

300

States must pay for public defenders as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case? 

A.  District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

B.  Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

C.  Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

D.  Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

C.  Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

_{The focus of Gideon v. Wainwright was the Sixth Amendment protection that criminal defendants have the right to counsel which includes that states pay for public defenders if the defendant cannot afford legal representation.}

400

Which U.S. Supreme Court decision addresses the need for public schools to balance students’ rights with principals’ responsibilities?

Hazelwood  v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Bush v. Gore (2000)

Hazelwood  v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

_{Correct-The focus of Hazelwood v. Kulhmeier was on how to balance students’ rights, such as the right to free speech in a school setting, and principals’ responsibilities to manage the schools for which they are responsible.}

500

Juveniles accused of crimes continue to be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case? 

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

In re Greene (1930)

In re Gault (1967)

In re Gault (1967)

_{Correct-The U.S. Supreme Court determined in In re Gault that in criminal cases discriminating based on age violate many due process protections.  For example, denying a juvenile the right to counsel or not administering the juvenile his or her Miranda Rights.}

SS.7.C.3.13Compare the constitutions of the US and Florida

100

Which part of the Florida Constitution protects individual rights?

Declaration of Rights

Bill of Rights

Amendments

Preamble 

Declaration of Rights

_{Correct-The Florida Declaration of Rights is Article I of the Florida Constitution.}  

200

Which statement describes a similarity between the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution?

neither protects individual rights

both include an amendment process

neither provides for a chief executive

both include a nine member Supreme Court

both include an amendment process

_{Correct-The Florida Constitution is amended by voters while the U.S. Constitution is amended by state legislatures or state ratifying conventions.}  

300

Which statement describes a similarity between the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution?

both include a Preamble

both include seven articles

both require legislative term limits 

both require native born chief executives

both include a Preamble

_{Correct-Both the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution include a preamble.  Preambles to constitutions include the goals and purposes of government.}

400

The table below shows constitutional elements.

Which title completes this table?

Florida and County Government

Florida and U.S. Government

City and County Government

City and U.S. Government

Florida and U.S. Government

_{Correct-These elements are included in the U.S. Constitution and in the Florida Constitution.}

500

The headline below describes an action by citizens. 

What conclusion can be drawn from the headline?

Citizens can be involved in policy making through their representatives. 

Citizens can be directly involved in policy making.

Only elected officials may change constitutions.

Only elected officials make policy.

Citizens can be directly involved in policy making.

_{Correct-Amending the Florida Constitution is a form of policy; the headline shows that it was Florida voters who rejected an amendment to the Florida Constitution.  It was Florida voters who made the policy that the constitutional amendment would not be ratified, according to the headline.}

SS.7.C.3.14Local, state, & Federal governments' obligations and services

100

Which level of government regulates drivers’ licenses?

county

federal

municipal

state

state

_{Correct- Drivers’ licenses are regulated at the state level although they are issued at the county level in Florida.}

200

The statement below was made during a speech by President Barack Obama on September 9, 2009.

I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for healthcare reform. And ever since, nearly every president and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way.

According to the statements, which power did President Obama ask Congress to exercise?

confirm Supreme Court appointments

confirm Cabinet appointments

lay and collect taxes

declare war

lay and collect taxes

_{Correct-President Obama is speaking about the “challenge” of “healthcare reform”.  Government funded healthcare costs money which is collected through taxes.}

300

Which is a responsibility of state government?

regulating public transportation

regulating public education

providing clean drinking water

providing fire protection

regulating public education

_{Correct-The reserved powers found in the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution give to state governments the power to regulate public education.}

400

Which level of government provides the most services to citizens? 

federal

local

national

state

local

_{Correct-Local governments provide the most services to citizens, throughout the day, including water, police protection, fire protection, trash collection, and electricity.}  

500

The statement below is from a document. 

Without support from Congress or the President, efforts to avoid compliance with enacted law are not likely to succeed.

What conclusion can be drawn from the statement?

It is illegal to suspend trash collection.

It is illegal to suspend police services. 

It is illegal to suspend mail delivery.

It is illegal to suspend fire services.

It is illegal to suspend mail delivery.

_{Correct-Mail services are provided by the federal government; the statement suggests that the federal government regulates mail delivery.}

SS.7.C.4.1US Domestic and Foreign Policy

100

What is a responsibility of the U.S. Senate in foreign policy?

nominating ambassadors

introducing tax bills

negotiating treaties

ratifying treaties

ratifying treaties

_{Correct-It is the U.S. Senate’s sole responsibility to ratify treaties.}

200

Which action is an example of a domestic policy decision?

The Senate votes to ratify a treaty.

The president nominates an ambassador.

Congress votes to increase the income tax.

The president asks Congress to declare war.

Congress votes to increase the income tax.

_{Correct-Raising the income tax is a domestic policy decision because Congress is making a decision as to what United States citizens and residents will pay in income tax.}

300

The statement below was made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a January 23, 2013 Senate hearing.   

It has been one of the great honors of my life to lead the men and women of the State Department … nearly 70,000 serving here in Washington, more than 270 posts around the world. They get up and get to work every day, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances, because they believe, as we believe, the United States is the most extraordinary force for peace and progress the world has ever known.

Based on the statement, which is a goal of U.S. policy?

diplomatic alliances

homeland security

citizen protection

avoiding conflict

diplomatic alliances

_{Correct-The use of the phrase “force for peace and progress the world has ever known” focuses on the importance of diplomatic alliances between the United States and other “posts” around the world.}

400

The political cartoon below illustrates a foreign policy issue.

What issue is illustrated in the cartoon?

The Cabinet did not ratify a treaty.

The President did not ratify a treaty. 

The U.S. Senate did not ratify a treaty.

The Secretary of State did not ratify a treaty.

The U.S. Senate did not ratify a treaty.

_{Correct-The U.S. Senate did not ratify the “League of Nations” which was formed by a treaty for the several nations identified in the bridge to support one another.  According to the cartoon, the U.S. president negotiated the treaty (“Designed by the president of the U.S.A.).  The United States did not join the “League of Nations” which means that the Senate refused to confirm the treaty.}

500

Below is a graph about high school graduation rates in the United States. 

Which long term domestic policy goal is reflected in the graph?

career preparation

physical fitness

racial equality

public safety

career preparation

_{Correct-Educational success leads to improved career and professional opportunities.}

SS.7.C.4.3US dealing with International Conflicts

100

During which conflict did the U.S. declare war on Japan?

Korean War

Vietnam War

World War I

World War II

World War II

_{Correct-The U.S. entered World War II when it declared war on Japan after Japan attacked the then-U.S. territory of Hawaii.  Hawaii, since 1950, is now one of the United States.}

200

Which presidential action was based on Article I of the U.S. Constitution?

John F. Kennedy’s statements about missiles in Cuba

Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan

Dwight Eisenhower’s statements about communism in Africa

George H. Bush asking Congress to commit troops for Gulf War I

Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan

_{Correct-Article I includes Congress’ power to declare war; presidents do not have a formal role in declaring war although presidents have asked Congress to declare war.  President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan the day after the Japanese government attacked the Hawaii territory.  Hawaii is now a state.}

300

The statement below was made by President Barack Obama on August 18, 2011.

What the United States will support is an effort to bring about a Syria that is democratic, just, and inclusive for all Syrians.... We will support this outcome by pressuring President Assad to get out of the way of this transition, and standing up for the universal rights of the Syrian people along with others in the international community.

Which universal right might justify President Obama’s challenge to the Syrian government? 

search and seizure

self-incrimination

due process

bear arms

due process

_{Correct-The right associated with due process is the right for proper procedures to be followed in government processes such as criminal procedures.  Guaranteeing all persons living in a country their due process rights is a way to promote democratic government.}  

400

The newspaper headline below describes an event in U.S. history.

Which course of action taken by the United States is represented by the headline? 

treaty ratification

veto override

diplomacy

terrorism

diplomacy

_{Correct-The focus of the headline is ending a hostage situation, which requires diplomacy.}

500

The statement below is from President James Monroe’s Message to Congress on December 2, 1823.

_{The citizens of the United States cherish …liberty and happiness of their fellow men on that side of the Atlantic. In the wars of the European powers, in matters relating to themselves, we have never taken any part…, It is only when our rights are invaded, or seriously menaced, that we resent injuries, or make preparation for our defense.}

What impact has this statement had on modern U.S. involvement in international conflicts? 

The government should limit the spread of Communism.  

The government should limit the spread of oligarchy. 

The government should protect Communism.

The government should protect oligarchy. 

The government should limit the spread of Communism.  

_{Correct-Communism is practiced by spreading communism to other countries because communism seeks to have more countries practice communism.  Limiting the spread of communism reduces the threat to American democracy described by President Monroe in the statement.}