Civics Practice Test: Question Examples

The newspaper details a significant amendment to the

U.S. Constitution.

What was the impact of this amendment on the political process?

• A. Women were allowed to vote.

• B. African Americans were allowed to vote.

• C. The need to pay poll taxes was eliminated.

• D. The minimum age to vote was moved to eighteen.

Answer explanation

Young men as young as 18 were drafted into the Vietnam War. At the time, you had to be 21 to vote. The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. It was thought: if you are old enough to fight for this country, you should be old enough to vote.

The newspaper details an important step in amending the U.S. Constitution.

How did the passage of this amendment to the U.S. Constitution impact the political process in the United States?

• Women were allowed to contribute to political campaigns.

• Women were allowed to hold citizenship rights.

• Women were allowed to hold public offices.

• Women were allowed to vote in national elections.

Answer explanation

suffrage: to vote

political process: involves voting and elections.

Prior to this amendment, women could not vote. With the passage of this amendment, women were now allowed to vote.

Key word in the newspaper: Women's Suffrage Wins in the Senate. Amendments must go through Congress before they can be passed.

This passage is from Federalist No. 47, written by James Madison in 1788.

Montesquieu.....was guided in saying "There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or body,''.....

"he did not mean that these departments ought to have no CONTROL over, the acts of each other."

Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe?

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

• popular sovereignty

• judicial review

Answer explanation

Checks and balances is a principle that means that each branch of the federal government has the ability to limit, or check, the powers of the other branches. This is the correct answer because, according to the passage, the “departments” (three branches of government) should have some “[control] over…the acts of each other.”

The newspaper details an important step in filling a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Which constitutional principle does the headline illustrate?

• A. rule of law

• B. judicial review

• C. checks and balances

• D. separation of powers

Answer explanation

The newspaper headline is showing how the President has the power to appoint Supreme Court Justices. But, the Senate has the power to approve those appointments. It is a check and a balance.

The newspaper headline below describes an event in U.S. history.

Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?

• Senate and President

• Supreme Court and President

• House of Representatives and Senate

• Supreme Court and House of Representatives

Answer explanation

The Senate only, not the House of Representatives, must approve any treaties the President makes. The Senate is the only part of Congress that is involved with approving any of the Presidents actions like nominating Supreme Court Justices or ambassadors to other nations.

These boxes describe two events relating to the U.S. government.

What constitutional principles are demonstrated in examples A and B?

• Example A: checks and balances; Example B: separation of powers

• Example A: checks and balances; Example B: judicial review

• Example A: separation of powers; Example B: individual rights

• Example A: separation of powers; Example B: checks and balances

Answer explanation

EX. A: The Supreme Court is ruling on whether or not a law made by Congress is constitutional (checks and balances).

EX. B: Congress passes a new law, and part of the Executive Branch (the Internal Revenue Service) enforces it. That is separation of powers.

The passage comes from the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution.

“We the People of the United States, … do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Based on this passage, which foundational principle is being described?

• rule of law

  
  

• limited government

• due process of law

• equality of mankind

Answer explanation

"Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" is perhaps the strongest statement in the Preamble. It says in effect that the people made the Constitution and it is the people who give it power.

The diagram describes the causes that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Which action completes the diagram?

• A. Colonial agricultural trade increases.

• B. Colonial religious rights are restricted.

• C. The British enact a series of taxes in the colonies.

• D. The British grant the colonists representation in Parliament.

Answer explanation

The Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Townshend Acts, and Intolerable Acts are four acts that contributed to the tension and unrest among colonists that ultimately led to the American Revolution. The first act was the Sugar Act, which was passed in 1764. This placed a tax on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies. This act prompted many New England colonists to boycott British imports. The British punished the colonists with the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. Then the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Which statement completes the diagram?

• joining a military service

• obtaining a driver's license

• becoming a naturalized citizen

• receiving a social security card

Answer explanation

To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include being:

• At least 18 years old when you apply

• Able to read, write, and speak basic English (depending on age)

• Of good moral character

Which Enlightenment idea is represented by the image?

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

• social contract

• natural law

Answer explanation

The image shows how powers of the government are divided into three different branches.