Social Studies 7

Which colony was the first permanent, productive English settlement in North America?

• Alaska

• Roanoke

• Jamestown

• Plymouth

Answer explanation

Jamestown was the first permanent, productive English settlement in North America.

Evaluate the terms of the Treaty of Paris, 1783. All of the following were terms of the treaty. Choose the one (1) term that was most significant.

• Opened up the Mississippi River to navigation by citizens of both the United States and Great Britain.

• Defined the U.S. border, with Great Britain granting the Northwest Territory to the United States.

• Great Britain gave formal recognition to its former colonies as a new and independent nation: the United States of America.

• Secured fishing rights to the Grand Banks and other waters off the British-Canadian coastline for American boats.

• Provided for fair treatment of American citizens who had remained loyal to Great Britain during the war.

Answer explanation

The most significant term of the Treaty of Paris, 1783 was Great Britain giving formal recognition to its former colonies as a new and independent nation: the United States of America.

If the President of the United States writes an Executive Order that violates individual rights of Americans, what 'check' can the Judicial Branch use to stop this?

• They can veto the act.

• They can declare the actions of the President unconstitutional.

• They can impeach the President.

• They can declare the act of Congress unconstitutional.

Answer explanation

The Judicial Branch can stop the President's actions by declaring them unconstitutional.

If the Legislative Branch (Congress) writes a law that would not benefit the American people, what check could the President use to stop this legislation?

• The President could pardon a criminal of their crimes.

• The President could veto the bill and send it back to Congress.

• The President could appoint federal judges to the Supreme Court.

• The President could declare the law unconstitutional.

Answer explanation

The President can use the veto power to stop legislation by sending the bill back to Congress.

The phrase, 'consent of the governed,' means that they people in office are in power only with the permission of whom?

• the citizens of the United States

• businessmen only

• only citizens who own land

• people who work in the government

Answer explanation

The phrase 'consent of the governed' means that people in office are in power only with the permission of the citizens of the United States.

Which words in the Preamble suggest that the government has the authority to set up courts?

• insure domestic tranquility

• create a more perfect Union

• establish justice

• provide for the common defense

Answer explanation

The words 'establish justice' in the Preamble suggest that the government has the authority to set up courts.

The U.S. Constitution established a government based on the basic concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. Why did the authors of the Constitution included these two concepts?

• to give most of the power to the executive branch

• to continue concepts from the articles

• to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

• to ensure that government branches would operate without disagreement

Answer explanation

The authors of the Constitution included the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

The Great Compromise dealt with which issue at the Constitutional Convention?

• representation of the states in Congress

• the office of the presidency

• the continuation of slavery

• the power of the judiciary

Answer explanation

The Great Compromise addressed the issue of representation of the states in Congress, ensuring a fair balance between large and small states.

Consider the powers given to the Continental Congress by the Articles of Confederation. Which of the following was not a power granted by the Articles of Confederation? Choose one (1).

• appoint military officers

• declare war

• sign treaties

• appoint foreign ambassadors

• power to tax

Answer explanation

The power to tax was not granted by the Articles of Confederation.

Which of the following was not a weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Choose one (1).

• No central leadership (executive branch) or court system (judicial branch).

• Congress had no power to enforce its laws.

• Congress had no power to tax.

• Congress could regulate trade.

• Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of all 13 states.

Answer explanation

The weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that Congress could regulate trade.