We the People Unit 1 Practice Quiz

How did living in the colonies influence Americans’ ideas about government?

• The colonists brought a single set of ideas about religion, government, and rights to the new land.

• In the colonies, royalty made the laws.

• The colonists took part in their own government.

• The founders believed that Great Britain would protect the rights of the colonists.

How did the Founders use some of the ideas from the Roman Republic?

• Representatives are selected to serve the common good and make laws to help everyone

• Leaders are not responsible to anyone

• People make the laws

• Leaders have all the power

What natural rights did the Founders believe people should have?

• Liberty: The right to be free including believing what you wish, read what you want, speak freely, or travel where you want

• Property: The right to own things such as books, houses, land, or a business or your ability to work

• Life: The right to live without fear of being injured or killed by others

• All of these answers are correct.

Which best describes what life might be like if there were no laws or government?

• Everybody’s rights would be protected

• Nobody’s rights would be protected

• Strong people must help weak people

• People would behave reasonably

A government is a constitutional government when: 

• Government protects the right to trial by jury

• The people ratify (approve) the constitution

• There are limits to the power of government

• It has a written constitution

Why did the Founders think that it is necessary to limit the power of government?

• The Founders believed that one person or group in a government should have all the power

• The Founders believed that the Constitution does not permit the president to do whatever he or she wants to do and sets limits on people who run the government

• The Founders believed it was not important for elected representatives to obey the constitution

• The Founders believed the people should trust their elected president

What did the Founders think should be the main purpose of government? (Suggested sentence frame: The founders thought the main purpose of government was ________.)

Select three examples of common good in our town or community is

• the food bank

• being nice

• the library

• the public parks

Select three examples of common good in the United States is

• roads and bridges

• national parks

• the armed forces

• smiling

Select three examples of showing common good at Maple is

• recycling

• the playround equipment

• free lunches and breakfasts

• saying hi and being nice