Unit 1: Foundations of Government
According to the Declaration of Independence, which are examples of natural rights?
a. right to free speech and expression
b. right to due process of law and education
c. right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness
d. right to self-government, representation, and separation of powers
c. right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness
The Preamble of the U.S. Constitution contains the principle of popular sovereignty. Which phrases demonstrates this principle?
a. "We the People"
b. "More perfect Union"
c. "Ensures domestic tranquility"
d. To promote the general welfare"
a. "We the People"
What is the role of juries in the administration of justice?
a. to decide which law to apply to a criminal case
b. to decide which evidence to admit in the appellate court
c. to determine the verdict of a case after hearing the evidence
d. to determine whether a decision should be overturned on appeal
c. to determine the verdict of a case after hearing the evidence
Which three rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?
a. Freedom of speech, right to work, right to petition the government
b. Right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial, right to an education
c. Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial
d. Right to vote, right to work, right to a speedy trial
c. Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial
Why would citizens sign up for volunteer activities?
a. to earn extra money
b. to fulfill their obligations (requirements)
c. to complete naturalization (become a citizen)
d. to promote the common good (good for all citizens)
d. to promote the common good (good for all citizens)
When a country's constitution requires the branches of government to remain independent of each other, it is adhering to the principle of...
a. Federalism
b. Direct Democracy
c. Popular Sovereignty
d. Separation of Powers
d. Separation of Powers
Which of the following identifies the purpose of a constitution?
a. To take away the individual liberties of citizens
b. To promote an executive to having full authority
c. To provide a framework for government
d. To build a national army to defend against foreign threats
c. To provide a framework for government
Which type of law is used to help solve disputes between people or organizations?
a. Civil
b. Military
c. Criminal
d. Constitutional
a. Civil
How did the 14th amendment impact the participation of African Americans in the American political process?
a. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude
b. It provided African American men the right to vote
c. It granted African American women the right to own land
d. It guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law
d. It guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law
Kayla sat in the meeting hall and listened to different candidates for her state's open Senate seat. On election day, she voted for the candidate she thought would best serve her community's interests.
Which form of government is represented in the above scenarios?
a. A republic
b. A theocracy
c. An autocracy
d. An oligarchy
a. A republic
What is a characteristic of a society under the rule of law?
a. Citizens are at liberty to act without any restraint
b. All citizens and officials are subject to the same rules
c. Officials are free to follow their own private judgement
d. The ruler can take whatever steps they feel are necessary
b. All citizens and officials are subject to the same rules
Which statement describes one of the two ways that constitutional amendments can be proposed?
a. they can be proposed by a 2/3's vote of the Senate
b. they can be proposed by a 2/3's vote of the Supreme Court
c. they can be proposed by 2/3's vote of each house of Congress (Senate and House of Reps)
d. they can be proposed by 2/3's vote of the House of Representatives
c. they can be proposed by 2/3's vote of each house of Congress (Senate and House of Reps)
Which power does the U.S. Constitution grant to the legislative branch (Congress) of government?
a. Declaring war
b. Enforcing laws
c. Making treaties
d. Interpreting laws
a. Declaring war
Which phrase completes the list of government responsibilities:
Local: Repairing local roads, make zoning ordinances (laws), provide a local police force
State: maintain state highways, issue building codes, ?
Federal: build interstate highways, maintain national defense, negotiate treaties
a. coining (making) money
b. operating school districts
c. overseeing interstate commerce
d. regulating statewide education standards
d. regulating statewide education standards
Which of the following is an advantage of capitalism and the free market in the United States?
a. Work is obligatory and is on behalf of the state
b. Private property is either limited or non-existent
c. The potential for profit provides incentive to work
d. The needs of the state drive the economic activity
c. The potential for profit provides incentive to work
Below are a list of British policies imposed on American colonists.
Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Act, Tea Act
Why did the American colonists demonstrate opposition to the British policies listed above?
a. They no longer respected rule of law in colonial America
b. They objected to taxes and policies that were imposed without their consent
c. They understood that the tax revenue would go to King George III
d. They knew they were taxed more heavily than people living in Britain
b. They objected to taxes and policies that were imposed without their consent
Which of the following was a weakness of the Articles of Confederation that was revealed by Shay's Rebellion?
a. The state governments had too little power compared to the power of the federal government
b. The federal government was unchecked in their taxing power on the individual states and people
c. The federal government was unprepared to control violent protests without a national military force
d. The state governments needed a way to punish the people responsible for the rebellion in a federal court
c. The federal government was unprepared to control violent protests without a national military force
What is one responsibility of the executive branch (President/Cabinet) of government?
a. To manage the national budget
b. To appoint members of the cabinet
c. To confirm nominations made to the Senate
d. To interpret laws created by Congress
b. To appoint members of the cabinet
In the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education parents sued Topeka, Kansas Board of Education for violating their child's 14th amendment right to equal protection under the law. The District Court ruled in favor of the Topeka Board of Education. On appeal, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered this ruling to be reversed.
Which statement best describes the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling in this case?
a. The "separate but equal" doctrine took effect
b. Parents maintain the right to choose their child's school
c. States that deny people legal counsel are violating basic rights
d. Racially segregated schools in the U.S. are unconstitutional
d. Racially segregated schools in the U.S. are unconstitutional
The list below gives details about interest groups:
-Advise their members on how to vote
-Help candidates run for public office
-Form PACs to assist parties and candidates
Which title completes the list?
a. How interest groups influence elections
b. How interest groups use publicity to win support
c. How interest groups monitor the government
d. How interest groups lobby state and federal lawmakers
a. How interest groups influence elections
The excerpt is from the Magna Carta.
"No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, stripped of rights or possessions, outlawed or exiled, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by law of the land. "
Which founding idea is reflected in this excerpt?
a. Rule of law
b. Due process
c. Self government
d. Separation of powers
b. Due process
Which statement accurately describes the viewpoints held by the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists concerning ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
a. Anti-Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution; Federalists opposed ratifying, claiming the Constitution did not limit the power of the federal government
b. Anti-Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution because they did not want states to have any rights; Federalists opposed ratifying.
c. Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution because they did not want states to have any rights; Anti-Federalists opposed ratifying.
d. Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution; Anti-Federalists opposed ratifying, claiming the Constitution did not limit the power of the federal government
a. Anti-Federalists supported ratifying the Constitution; Federalists opposed ratifying, claiming the Constitution did not limit the power of the federal government
What is a difference between a trial and an appellate court?
a. Trial courts do not include a jury, while appellate courts do
b. Trial courts are where cases are introduced, appellate courts are where cases are appealed
c. Trial courts are where cases are appealed, appellate courts are where cases are introduced
d. Trial courts are only composed of judges, appellate courts are composed of both judges and a jury
b. Trial courts are where cases are introduced, appellate courts are where cases are appealed
How are the amendment processes of the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution similar?
a. Both U.S. and Florida amendments can be proposed by citizens
b. Both U.S. and Florida amendments are approved directly by citizens
c. Both U.S. and Florida amendments can be proposed by the legislature (lawmakers)
d. Both U.S. and Florida amendments can be approved by state legislature action
c. Both U.S. and Florida amendments can be proposed by the legislature (lawmakers)
Why is a federal system of government more advantageous than a unitary system of government?
a. A federal system requires local authorities share power with the central government, a unitary system of government only permits central government to have power
b. A federal system considers the needs of the states, a unitary system encourages states to share power with the central government
c. A federal system protects the power of the central government while ignoring the state governments, a unitary system considers the needs of both state and central governments
d. A federal system consists of a weak central government, a unitary system encourages cooperation between state and central governments
a. A federal system requires local authorities share power with the central government, a unitary system of government only permits central government to have power