Beginner STAAR Government Questions

Front

Study the diagram and answer the question that follows.

Back

These Groups are allowed to share and promote their beliefs.

Answer explanation

The government cannot establish a national religion. You are allowed to believe/promote your religions beliefs without fear of government intervention.

Front

Which situation violated the Eighth Amendment protections regarding criminal punishment? A protester is jailed for violent acts at a political rally. A person is sentenced to life in prison for shoplifting. A person is sentenced to ten years imprisonment for assault and robbery. A judge orders that an accused person be jailed until bail is paid.

Back

A person is sentenced to life in prison for shoplifting.

Answer explanation

No cruel or unusual punishment/excessive fines. Life in prison for shoplifting would fall under cruel or unusual punishment.

Front

Which government principle is illustrated in this diagram? Options: Federalism, Popular Sovereignty, Republicanism, Separation of powers

Back

Separation of powers

Front

Which idea correctly replaces the question mark in this diagram? Options: Due Process, Eminent Domain, Free Speech, Federalism

Back

Due Process

Answer explanation

These are all part of the 6th amendment. Do you know your hand signs?

Front

Which historic document had the greatest influence on the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution? Options: The English Bill of Rights, The Mayflower Compact, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, The Articles of Confederation

Back

The English Bill of Rights

Front

Which historical action was protected by the First Amendment guarantee regarding religion?

Back

Evangelists led revivals in New England.

Front

Which grievance from the Declaration of Independence is addressed by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Options: "He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly", "For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury...", "He has obstructed the... Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.", "For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us..."

Back

"For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury..."

Front

What was the purpose of this amendment?

Back

To limit the authority of the federal government

Answer explanation

This amendment makes it known that the federal government only has the power given to it by the constitution. Anything not specified, is reserved for the states.

Front

Which law would be considered unconstitutional on the basis of the First Amendment guarantees? A ban on the publication of classified information by government employees, A requirement that church employees pay income tax, A requirement that churches get a permit before building a new chapel, A prohibition on electing religious leaders to government office

Back

A prohibition on electing religious leaders to government office

Front

Which sentence completes this diagram? Options: People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves, Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflected, Warrants cannot be issues unless probable cause is established, A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial

Back

Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflected