Quiz on American Government Principles

The statement below is from a jury's decision in a court case. "We, the jury, rule in favor of Mrs. Madison, and order Mr. Washington to pay the sum of twenty thousand dollars, plus attorney fees and court costs...." What type of case has the jury made a decision in?

• civil

• military

• criminal

• constitutional

The statement below was written by John Adams in 1776. "A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly." Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this statement?

• rule of law

• individual rights

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

The table below shows some characteristics of types of laws.

Which is a similarity between these types of laws?

• both may include trials by jury

• both types of laws deal with all citizens

• both may include cases of crimes and punishments

• both types are divided into felonies and misdemeanors

Which laws are passed by the Florida legislature?

• acts

• statutes

• charters

• ordinances

Use the diagram below to answer the question. Which term best describes the structure of Congress?

• lobby

• bicameral

• committee

• unicameral

The diagram below illustrates the federal lawmaking process. Which of the following completes the diagram?

• The bill is proposed by two-thirds of Congress.

• The bill goes to a committee where it is debated.

• The bill is presented to the Supreme Court for a constitutional hearing.

• The bill is voted on by the public to decide if it should be signed into law.

The diagram below displays details about the Legislative Branch. Which of the following completes the diagram above?

• Senate

• Congress

• Florida legislature

• House of Representatives

The newspaper headline below shows the power of the Legislative Branch. Which legislative body holds the power depicted in the newspaper headline?

• Congress

• President

• Speaker of the House

• President Pro Tempore

Use the diagram to answer the following question. How did these historical codes of law influence the United States?

• established self-government

• supported limited government

• encouraged colonial independence

• impacted the American legal system

How is the lawmaking process of the Florida State Legislature and the U.S. Congress similar?

• A. Bills dealing with taxes can originate within either of the houses.

• B. Bills are usually approved on the floor of the house without going to a committee.

• C. Bills have to be approved by both houses of the legislature before they can become law.

• D. Bills can be introduced directly by members of the public in the House of Representatives, but not in the Senate.