New Nation Quiz

What is a representative democracy?

• Voters elect only one leader that makes all laws and decisions.

• All the voters come together in one place to make laws and decisions.

• People elect leaders to speak for them and make the laws and decisions.

• The government selects a few people to vote for the country’s laws and decisions.

Use the text to answer the question. In the United States, citizens elect other people to serve in government. Once in government, these people help pass laws and make decisions for their city, state, or country. Which of the following is described by the text?

• a direct democracy

• a strong state government

• a representative democracy

• a weak national government

What power do citizens have in a representative democracy such as the United States?

• Citizens are able to decide which taxes to pay.

• Citizens vote directly on all laws for the country.

• Citizens elect other people to run the government.

• Citizens can choose which laws they want to follow.

In a representative democracy, leaders are elected by the _________ to make laws and decisions for the country.

• citizens

• government officials

• judges

• foreign diplomats

Use the statement to answer the question. “We the people of the United States…” -The Preamble of the United States Constitution, 1787. Which of the following is the BEST reason Framers of the Constitution include this text in the document?

• to show that all people in the country have the same rights

• to show that the government’s power comes from the people

Use the quotation to answer the question. Let us never forget that…the ultimate rulers of our democracy are…the voters of this country. — President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938. Which of the following was President Roosevelt describing?

• federalism

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

• separation of powers

The words _______________ means that our government’s power comes from the people who live in it.

• government rules

• popular sovereignty

• pursuit of happiness

• legislative and judicial

Why does the U.S. Constitution start with the words “We the People?”

• to show that people have very few rights

• to show that the government’s power comes from the people

• to show that the government can take away the rights of the people

• to show that all people can vote on each law passed by the government

What is the goal of having three separate branches of government?

• so one branch has all the power

• so one branch can elect the president

• so one branch can take over another branch

• so one branch does not have too much power

Use the chart to answer the question. Which branch of the federal government should be the title of this list?

• Executive Branch

• Judicial Branch

• Legislative Branch

• State Branch