Political Systems Mastery Test

Imagine that an exchange student from China visits your class. While your teacher discusses how the United States has a limited government, the Chinese student raises her hand and asks why the government has limited power. Which point best highlights why the US government has limited power?

• A limited government means citizens pay fewer taxes.

• A limited government helps people avoid breaking the law.

• A limited government protects individual freedoms.

• A limited government prevents business from being too powerful.

What feature of a confederal system did the Confederate States of America most want?

• a powerful central government to oppose state governments

• a government focused on growing industrial strength and a big economy

• a limited central government linking independent states

• an authoritarian government that controls the society

Which factor most greatly limits the power of the US government?

• regular, free elections

• a sovereign government

• electing a chief executive

• a constitutional system

Which of the following is a characteristic of a nation?

• a sovereign government

• a large population

• a strong economy

• an official language

Imagine visiting a foreign nation and having to resolve a minor issues with your passport and travel plans. If someone told you that you had to travel five hours to the national capital to work with the central government, which type of government would this nation most likely have?

• confederal

• unitary

• federal

• dictatorship