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1. What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic
Constitution-based federal republic
Representative democracy
6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?
(The basic) rights of Americans (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
16. Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial
Congress, president, and the courts
21. How many U.S. senators are there?
One hundred (100)
2. What is the supreme law of the land?
(U.S.) Constitution
12. What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
Free market economy
17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
22. How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
Six (6) years
3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government Defines powers of government Defines the parts of government
Protects the rights of the people
uscis.gov/citizenship*
8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control.
It says all people are created equal.
It identifies inherent rights.
It identifies individual freedoms.
13. What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
No one is above the law.
18. What part of the federal government writes laws?
(U.S.) Congress
(U.S. or national) legislature
Legislative branch
23. Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now?
Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and
residents of U.S. territories should answer that D.C.
(or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.]
uscis.gov/citizenship*
4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Self-government
Popular sovereignty
Consent of the governed
People should govern themselves
(Example of) social contract
9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one .
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Federalist Papers
Anti-Federalist Papers
Virginia Declaration of Rights
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Mayflower Compact
Iroquois Great Law of Peace
19. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
24. How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments The amendment process
10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality Liberty Social contract
Natural rights
Limited government
Self-government
15. There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
B: System of Government
20. Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws
Declares war
Makes the federal budget
25. How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years