Government Unit 1 Practice Test

The inclusion of the phrase “the Law of Nature and of Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence, is most likely a reference to which of the following?

• All revolutions must be explained to the world.

• All governments, even tyrannical ones, are just.

• There is no standard by which to judge good versus bad governments.

• Establishing a new nation should be based on reason and moral principles

Which political idea is based on the belief that citizens must be willing to give up

some freedoms in exchange for the protection of rights?

• Divine Right

• Natural Rights

• Social Contract

• Rule by the Majority

The Declaration of Independence lists “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as

—

• state’s rights

• legislative duties

• unalienable rights

• governmental powers

Which phrase from the Declaration of Independence recognizes that all people are born with rights which

should be protected by the government?

• “All men are created equal”

• “That to secure these rights”

• “Governments are instituted among Men”

• “Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”

Which major political tradition argues that a legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed?

• Federalism

• Common law

• Natural rights

• Republicanism

The rule of law and ____________ refer to the establishment of procedures that limit the power of leaders and government bodies.

Which political tradition completes the excerpt?

• common law

• judicial review

• Limited Government

• popular sovereignty

Which of the following Founding Fathers is remembered as both a strong supporter

of central government as well as the principal author of the U.S. Constitution?

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• George Mason

In his service at the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton argued that the

Founders should establish a government characterized by —

• a powerful aristocracy

• a growing merchant class

• a strong central authority

• loose confederation of states

In what way did this idea expressed by Montesquieu influence the writing of the U.S. Constitution?

• The President has the power to veto any bill.

• Government is organized into three branches.

• A bill of rights was added to specify individual rights.

• Two separated representative bodies must approve all laws.

Opponents of the New Jersey Plan argued that the plan favored —

• slaveholding states

• less populous states

• a split bicameral legislature

• a strong central government