Civics Honors Final Exam

Which of the following best describes the government of the United States?

• a democracy

• a monarchy

• an oligarchy

• a democratic republic

Which of the following is NOT one of the purposes of government according to the Preamble of the Constitution?

• To promote the general welfare.

• To provide for the common defense

• To ensure domestic tranquility.

• To provide economic support.

What is the Bill of Rights?

• The basic principles of natural rights.

• The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

• A book written by Adam Keynes that explains natural rights.

• None of these.

What was the Virginia Plan?

• A plan for how the legislative branch would be structured that was favored by the smaller states because it gave every state equal representation in Congress.

• A plan for how the legislative branch would be structured that was favored by the larger states because representation would be based on population.

• A compromise plan that called for a bicameral legislature.

• A plan that would give the president powers almost like a king.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights…”

• Is the foundational statement of the United States and is in the US Constitution.

• Is the foundational statement of the United States and is in the Declaration of Independence.

• Is the opening phrase of the Preamble of the US Constitution.

• Is the opening phrase of the Bill of Rights.

Bicameral means…

• Having two houses.

• Having three houses.

• Having one house.

• Having no house.

Which of the following is the BEST description of why the separation of powers is important?

• Because too much power in one branch of government is tyranny, that branch or that person can become a tyrant who doesn’t respect the rights of citizens.

• Because there are too many powers of government for them to be held in just one branch.

• Because other societies that have had no separation of powers have always fallen in time.

• Because without powers being separate, there would be no way for a person to appeal mistreatment by government.

Why is the Bill of Rights so important to Americans today (and always)?

• It tells Americans what we can do.

• It prevents the government from violating our natural rights because it plainly says what they are.

• It is an important historical document in American History.

• The Bill of Rights isn’t that important because it’s old and out-of-date.

A government that is controlled by just a few people is called a(n)

• Democracy

• Autocracy

• Oligarchy

• Monarchy

In the process of a person becoming a federal official (judge, general, ambassador, cabinet member, etc.), which of the following steps would come FIRST?

• The Senate confirms the nominee.

• The President approves the nomination.

• The President nominates someone who must be confirmed by the Senate.

• The Supreme Court approves the nomination.