US Government Final Exam

The Declaration of Independence elaborates on the Enlightenment idea of

• natural rights.

• collective ownership.

• religious freedom.

• political equality.

Which action is an example of the right to petition?

• Writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper about litter in the park

• Asking a local civic group to pay for playground equipment

• Meeting with the student council about rules for the playground

• Getting signatures on a request to the mayor for a new city park

Which document explained how the government of the United States was to be set up, and what the government could and could not do?

• the Declaration of Independence

• the Constitution of the United States

• the Gettysburg Address

• the Emancipation Proclamation

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention faced the following two conflicting challenges:

- the need to strengthen the federal government

- the need to represent state interests in Congress

Which statement explains how the Great Compromise addressed these challenges?

• It called for a one-house legislative branch in which each state would be represented equally with one vote.

• It called for a two-house legislative branch in which states would be represented equally in one house and by the state’s population in the other house.

• It called for a one-house legislative branch in which each state would be represented according to its population.

• It called for a two-house legislative branch in which seats in both houses would be determined by the state’s population.

American democracy has its roots in political ideas borrowed from

• the Incas.

• the Vikings.

• the ancient Greeks.

• the ancient Egyptians.

Which of these is a characteristic of the United States system of government?

• State governments may choose to ignore national laws.

• The executive and legislative powers of government are combined into one branch.

• The executive branch of government can choose to dissolve the judicial branch.

• The powers of government are divided between the national and state governments.

According to the U.S. Constitution, which of these actions is a power of the states?

• coining money

• establishing post offices

• providing public education

• raising an army

How does the U.S. Constitution conform to John Locke’s social contract theory?

• The government operates on a system of law that is based on contracts and statutes.

• Citizens transfer some rights to government in exchange for social order.

• States retain sovereign powers and are joined by confederation.

• People agree to a social system guided by conscience.

Which of these parts of the United States Constitution contains fundamental liberties of American citizens?

• Preamble

• Article I, Section 8 — Enumerated Powers

• Article III — Judicial Branch

• Amendments 1–10 — Bill of Rights

Which guarantee is not included in the First Amendment?

• right to bear arms

• freedom of religion

• freedom of assembly

• right to free speech