American Democracy Assessment

What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

• Democratic-Republican and Whigs

• Congress and Senate

• Democrats and Republicans

• England and Great Britain

Answer explanation

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are the two major political parties in the United States. Political parties are groups of people who organize to help candidates win elections and to create public policies. The members of the two major political parties are called the Democrats and the Republicans. The symbol of a donkey represents the Democrats. The symbol of an elephant represents the Republicans. Party membership is voluntary. Many people belong to a political party.

What is the political party of the President now?

• Green Party

• Independent Party

• Democratic Party

• Republican Party

Answer explanation

Today, there are two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. The political party of the president might change in each election.

What is the capital of the United States?

• Boston, MA

• Philadelphia, PA

• New York, NY

• Washington DC

Answer explanation

Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States. In 1800, the federal government moved to Washington, D.C. D.C. stands for District of Columbia. Senators and representatives meet at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., to make laws. The president lives and works at the White House in Washington, D.C. Supreme Court judges make decisions at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

• Kamala Harris

• Joe Biden

• Donald Trump

• Mike Pence

Answer explanation

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

• declared our independence from France

• gave women the right to vote

• declared our independence from England

• freed the slaves

Answer explanation

he colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence said that the United States was free from Britain.

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

• 200

• 435

• 441

• 100

Answer explanation

There are 435 voting members in the House of Representatives. Each state is divided into districts. Each district elects one representative.

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

• Atlantic Ocean

• Indian Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Arctic Ocean

Answer explanation

What does the judicial branch do?

• solves problems

• decides if a law is against the constitution

• reviews laws

• ALL of the above

Answer explanation

The judicial branch reviews laws and explains laws. It resolves disagreements. It also decides if a law is supported by the Constitution, or is constitutional. The Supreme Court and all other federal courts are part of the judicial branch.

Name two national U.S. holidays.

• Valentine's Day and President's Day

• April Fool's Day and Labor Day

• Labor Day and Thanksgiving

• Citizenship Day and Columbus Day

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

• freedom of speech and freedom to run for president

• freedom of religion and freedom to make treaties with other countries

• freedom of speech and freedom of religion

• freedom to petition the government and freedom to disobey traffic laws

Answer explanation

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?