Chapter 2: Foundation of Government Test

1. The people of a nation elect officials to govern for them in a(n)

• A. direct democracy.

• B. absolute monarchy.

•  C. representative democracy.

• D. totalitarian government.

2. Historically, direct democracies have been suited to

• A. most communities, large or small.

•  B. small communities.

• C. medium to large communities.

• D. new countries.

3. The form of government found in the United States is sometimes called

• A. a constitutional alliance.

• B. a traditional democracy.

• C. a monarchy.

•  D. a republic.

4. The voters in a community meet together to make decisions and laws in a(n)

• A. representative democracy.

• B. absolute monarchy.

•  C. direct democracy.

• D. dictatorship.

5. Which of the following statements is false?

• A. Government makes it possible for large groups of people to live together peacefully.

• B. Some form of government is found in every society.

•  C. Most governments are designed to control all aspects of citizens’ lives.

• D. A government’s most important laws are stated in its constitution.

6. Under the U.S. system of government,

• A. the press has the freedom to print untrue statements.

• B. the Constitution allows the president to establish a national religion.

• C. Congress has the power to decide which groups of people in the nation may vote.

•  D. citizens have the right to have their reputations protected from lies.

7. Which of the following freedoms is not permitted under the American form of government?

• A. freedom to speak against the political party in power

•  B. freedom to cut down a tree on your neighbor’s property

• C. freedom to refuse to practice a religion

• D. freedom to compete with other people for jobs

8. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

•  A. Thomas Jefferson

• B. George Washington

• C. John Adams

• D. James Madison

9. The Declaration of Independence

•  A. states that the purpose of government is to protect human rights.

• B. fails to explain the reasons the thirteen colonies separated from Great Britain.

• C. provides the blueprint of a government for the new United States.

• D. objects to the idea that the power of the government comes from the consent of the governed.

10. The Articles of Confederation went into effect in

• A. 1776.

• B. 1781.

• C. 1789.

• D. 1812.