Benchmark Master Practice Quiz

The major idea behind 'separation of power' is to ensure

• To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

• To consolidate power within a single branch for efficiency

• To encourage branches to compete for power

• To allow one branch to dominate the others

Answer explanation

The major idea behind 'separation of power' is to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Match the following

• Judicial Branch

• Enforces the laws

• Legislative Branch

• Decides if laws are unconsitutional

• Executive Branch

• Makes laws

Answer explanation

The ​ (a)   decides on cases. They choose and hear ​ (b)   from federal and state courts that involve federal​ laws.

• Supreme Court

• appeals

• civil cases

• criminal cases

• President

• Senate

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court decides on cases and hears appeals from federal and state courts involving federal laws.

True or False: An important feature of Federalism is that states retain significant powers which protects against authoritarianism or a dictatorship

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Federalism ensures that states retain significant powers preventing a concentration of authority that could lead to authoritarianism or dictatorship. Therefore, the statement is true.

True or False: During wartime, Habeas Corpus can be stopped and citizens can be held without due process.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

During wartime, Habeas Corpus can be suspended, allowing citizens to be held without due process. Therefore, the statement is true.

A (a)   typically argues for 1 particular issue, while a ​ (b)   typically weighs in on all existing interests on the issue.

• lobbyist
• lawmaker
• politician

• naturalized citizen

• democrat

• republican

Answer explanation

A lobbyist typically argues for 1 particular issue, while a lawmaker typically weighs in on all existing interests on the issue.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th amendment help protect

• citizens from abuses of power

• noncitizens from deportation

• citizens from criminals

• citizens from bear arms

Answer explanation

The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th amendments help protect citizens from abuses of power, ensuring their rights are safeguarded against government overreach.

Match the following

• 15th amendment

• newly freed black men could elect state officials

• 14th amendment

• defined citizenship and equal rights

• 13th amendment

• ended slavery

Answer explanation

_________ means that the government has the right to take away your house with payment if it happens to be in the way of their plans to build a new highway

• Eminent domaine

• Eminent domaind

• Eminent domaina

• Eminent domain

Answer explanation

The correct term is 'Eminent domain,' which refers to the government's right to take private property for public use with compensation.

Match the following

• In Re Gault

• right to represent yourself in court

• Brown vs. Board of Education

• due process for children

• Dred Scott vs. Sanford

• judicial review

• Gideon vs, Wainwright

• shaped need to amend constitution to end slavery

• Mulberry vs. Madison

• segregation violates equal protection

Answer explanation