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WorksheetsAmerican Government Final Review
Total questions: 49
Worksheet time: 47mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The English philosopher and author of The Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, invented the theory of social contract. What is a social contract?
a)
an agreement to not have an official government.
b)
an agreement in which people agree to “lay down” their natural rights in exchange for order.
c)
an agreement between neighbors not to argue with one another.
d)
an agreement to always agree with others in society so there is no unpleasantness.
2.
Enlightenment thinker John Locke wrote Two Treatises on Government. Which of the following best summarizes its effect on the founding fathers?
a)
They felt it so important that they had Alexander Hamilton include in when writing the Federalist Papers.
b)
They felt it so important that they had Benjamin Franklin include in when writing the Articles of Confederation.
c)
They felt it so important that they had James Madison include in when writing the United States Constitution.
d)
They felt it so important that they had Thomas Jefferson include in when writing the Declaration of Independence.
3.
Charles Montesquieu attacked the absolute monarchy he had been born under and praised England’s divided government in his work The Spirit of the Laws. When looking at similarities between Montesquieu’s idea of the ideal government and the concept of government created by the US Constitution, which of the following hypotheses is most likely true?
a)
The founding fathers included the ideas of separation of powers and checks and balances because of Montesquieu’s writings.
b)
Montesquieu helped the founding fathers by writing the Constitution for them.
c)
The founding fathers hated The Spirit of the Laws and decided to not include any of Montesquieu’s ideas.
d)
The founding fathers followed Montesquieu’s suggestion and created a monarchy.
4.
According to the Declaration of Independence, humans have certain inalienable rights which include: life,
a)
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
b)
life, liberty, and welfare programs.
c)
life, liberty and equality.
d)
life, liberty, and property.
5.
Which of the following elements of the Declaration of Independence DOES NOT help prove it is a persuasive argument?
a)
stating that humans have natural rights.
b)
citing a higher religious authority (“Creator”) in order to invoke the morals of the audience.
c)
repetition when listing grievances against the King (“He has refused…He has Forbidden…He has refused…He has...”).
d)
statement of cause and effect (“Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government”).
6.
The Declaration of Independence was divided into three sections. What was the subject of the second, or middle section?
a)
choosing a democratic leader.
b)
complaints against George III.
c)
complaints against Charles I.
d)
justification for Boston Tea Party.
7.
What is the primary difference in the Federalists’ and Anti-Federalists’ arguments?
a)
The Anti-Federalists preferred a government that would protect the wealthy.
b)
The Federalists preferred a government that would protect those without a large voice in government.
c)
The Federalists wanted a weak national government, while the Anti-Federalists wanted a strong national government.
d)
The Federalists wanted a strong national government, while the Anti-Federalists wanted a weak national government.
8.
This section of the Constitution states why it was written.
a)
the Amendments.
b)
the Articles.
c)
the Preamble.
d)
the Bill of Rights.
9.
Which of the following completes the list of fundamental principles upon which the US Constitution is based?
Popular Sovereignty
Federalism
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
_________?_________
Popular Sovereignty
Federalism
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
_________?_________
a)
Equity.
b)
Equality.
c)
Nondiscrimination.
d)
Rule of Law.
10.
Supreme Court decisions can only be overturned by the Court itself or by
a)
judicial activism.
b)
congressional vote.
c)
constitutional amendment.
d)
order of the president.
11.
Which principle grants the president the authority to appoint federal judges?
a)
checks and balances.
b)
separation of powers.
c)
judicial review.
d)
Federalism.
12.
To whom does the system of checks and balances give the authority to confirm judges?
a)
Congress.
b)
Courts.
c)
Senate.
d)
President.
13.
An agreement between states is called the
a)
a public act.
b)
sunshine law.
c)
a judicial proceeding.
d)
an interstate compact.
14.
Under Article IV, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, states are required to do this to criminals and fugitives of other states.
a)
provide representation for
b)
extradite or return
c)
charge
d)
provide immunity for
15.
Without this freedom there would be no political parties and no interest groups to influence the action of government.
a)
freedom of religion.
b)
freedom to slander.
c)
freedom to libel.
d)
freedom of assembly.
16.
Norma Constantineau challenged a Wisconsin law that allowed the chief of police to identify her as "an excessive drinker" and deny her the right to buy alcohol. Constantineau cited a certain clause and successfully argued that this clause entitled her to a hearing before the state could post her name on the "excessive drinker" list. Which clause did she cite in her case?
a)
Elastic Clause.
b)
Establishment Clause.
c)
Due Process Clause.
d)
Privileges and Immunities Clause.
17.
Which of the following is NOT an example of thoughtful and effective civic participation?
a)
registering for military duty.
b)
paying taxes.
c)
serving on a jury.
d)
choosing not to vote.
18.
Choose the answer that DOES NOT fit in the blank.
Obeying the law (cause)
______________ (effect).
Obeying the law (cause)
______________ (effect).
a)
speedier trials.
b)
less jury duty.
c)
elections being closed.
d)
less taxes.
19.
What effect does respecting differing opinions have on our society?
a)
It prevents minorities from being heard.
b)
It ensures the democratic element of our government is not infringed upon.
c)
It allows individuals and citizens from all cultures and countries to participate equally.
d)
It causes non-citizens to have more of a say than citizens.
20.
Richard Nixon (Rep.) and John F. Kennedy (Dem.) ran against one another for president in 1960. On September 26, 1960, they participated in the first televised presidential debate, which was also broadcast for radio listeners. Americans listening to the debate on the radio declared Nixon the winner while those who watched it on television argued that Kennedy was the winner. From this example, predict what future candidates might have done in order to seem like the best choice as debates were more widely televised.
a)
Focus more campaign money on television advertisements airing during breaks in the debate.
b)
Study and prepare for any question likely to be presented during the debate.
c)
Work on maintaining a calm demeanor and relaxed body language during questioning rather than focus primarily on the answers.
d)
Practice voice modulation so radio listeners will like them more.
21.
Fill in the blank with the correct answer. Primaries and Caucuses -----> ? ------> General Election
a)
Plurality Convention.
b)
National Party.
c)
National Convention.
d)
Third Party Convention.
22.
What are the term lengths for the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively?
a)
2 years; 6 years.
b)
6 years; 4 years.
c)
6 years; 2 years.
d)
4 years; 2 years.
23.
How does the Senate influence foreign policy?
a)
They appoint the Secretary of State.
b)
They approve the locations of United States embassies overseas.
c)
They choose ambassadors to represent the United States.
d)
They approve all treaties.
24.
The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, also serves as the President of the Senate. Who is “second in command” when Vice President Biden cannot be in attendance? Correctly match his name and title.
a)
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan
b)
Speaker of the House Orrin Hatch
c)
President Pro Tempore Paul Ryan
d)
President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch
25.
Sam Rayburn stated that the Congressman plays the role of ward heeler. Responsibilities associated with this role might include
a)
establishing close ties to top executives in corporations.
b)
helping a citizen work through a government process.
c)
creating a committee aimed at reducing voter participation in elections.
d)
ignoring phone calls and e-mail from average citizens.
26.
Which committee works to settle differences between House and Senate versions of bills?
a)
Standing
b)
Select
c)
Conference
d)
Joint
27.
Which of the following measures would a lobbyist from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) most likely favor?
a)
an increase in social security benefits.
b)
an increase in Medicare taxes.
c)
an increase in taxes for building schools.
d)
an increase in age requirements for retirement benefits.
28.
Which of the following is a lobbyists NOT allowed to do?
a)
give small gifts to members of the legislative branch.
b)
provide information to policy makers.
c)
discuss a bill over dinner with a policy maker.
d)
give small gifts to members of the executive branch.
29.
Representatives of interest groups that work to influence Congress are called
a)
lobbyists.
b)
Democrats.
c)
party partisans.
d)
Republicans.
30.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the president can
a)
send troops on personal errands for him at any time.
b)
declare war.
c)
send troops to combat for up to 60 days.
d)
declare the military unnecessary and fire all our troops.
31.
Correctly match the role of the president with the example of that role in action listed below.
a)
Chief of State - Richard M. Nixon visits China to improve relations with that country.
b)
Chief Diplomat - President George H.W. Bush entertains the Queen of England at the White House.
c)
Chief of State - President John F. Kennedy issues an executive order to launch the Peace Corps.
d)
Chief Diplomat - Richard M. Nixon visits China to improve relations with that country.
32.
Which of the following is the best example of the president’s role as Chief of Political Party?
a)
President George W. Bush sending combat troops to Iraq.
b)
President Ronald Reagan campaigning for fellow Republicans running for Congress.
c)
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
d)
President Obama withdrawing troops from combat in the Middle East.
33.
Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become president?
a)
at least 35 years old.
b)
US resident for 14+ years.
c)
US citizen.
d)
native-born citizen.
34.
In addition to congressional override, Congress has this power over a mandate.
a)
veto.
b)
president.
c)
impeachment.
d)
pardon.
35.
Match the presidents who were impeached with the charges against them.
a)
Andrew Jackson - violating an act of Congress; Bill Clinton - high crimes and misdemeanors.
b)
Andrew Johnson - violating an act of Congress; Richard Nixon - obstruction of justice.
c)
Bill Clinton - high crimes and misdemeanors; Andrew Johnson - violating an act of Congress.
d)
Richard Nixon - obstruction of justice; Bill Clinton - high crimes and misdemeanors.
36.
What purpose does the President’s Cabinet serve?
a)
They cook for the President.
b)
They corrupt the government.
c)
They advise the President.
d)
None whatsoever.
37.
Judicial review, the idea that the Supreme Court is able to determine the constitutionality of a law or executive order, was created by which of the following court cases?
a)
Brown v Board of Education
b)
Marbury v Madison
c)
Plessy v Ferguson
d)
Miranda v. Arizona
38.
How many justices are on the Georgia Supreme Court?
a)
9
b)
11
c)
5
d)
7
39.
Which powers are shared by all levels of government - local, state, and national?
a)
build roads and levy taxes.
b)
levy taxes and establish courts.
c)
establish courts and make and enforce laws and ordinances.
d)
make and enforce laws and ordinances and levy taxes.
40.
The following list characterizes types of governments. What term is missing? Unitary - one level of government Federal - two levels of government in which the national government is supreme. ? - two levels of government in which the state governments are supreme.
a)
democratic
b)
autocratic
c)
confederal
d)
oligarchic
41.
Place the following types of governments in order of how much free the people ruled by that government experience, from least to greatest.
Oligarchy
Autocracy
Democracy
Oligarchy
Autocracy
Democracy
a)
Autocracy, Democracy, Oligarchy.
b)
Democracy, Oligarchy, Autocracy.
c)
Autocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy.
d)
Oligarchy, Democracy, Autocracy.
42.
The guiding strategies and goals that direct U.S. relations with other countries are its
a)
foreign policy
b)
internationalism.
c)
isolationism.
d)
national defense system.
43.
Determining whether or not the U. S. officially recognizes a government as the proper representative of a country’s people is called democratic _________.
a)
recognition
b)
confusion
c)
ignorance
d)
assumption
44.
What is the “football?”
a)
a bomb the president carries with him at all times.
b)
the tool that allows the president to control a massive nuclear arsenal.
c)
a code name for the president’s cell phone.
d)
a game the president plays with heads of other governments.
45.
Match the type crime with the sentence parameters.
a)
misdemeanor: 1+ years.
b)
felony: 12 months or less.
c)
felony: fine.
d)
felony: 1+ years.
46.
What type of defense states that you were forced to commit a crime because you were threatened with unlawful force?
a)
Abandonment and withdrawal.
b)
Coercion and duress.
c)
Self-defense.
d)
Consent.
47.
Which defense is commonly depicted in movies, but in reality is used infrequently and is usually unsuccessful?
a)
Consent.
b)
Intoxication.
c)
Insanity.
d)
Self-defense.
48.
What kinds of rights are those listed below? Grand jury indictment. Confront your accuser. Refrain from self-incrimination. Being tried for the same crime twice.
a)
Civil liberties.
b)
Civil rights.
c)
Miranda rights.
d)
Due process rights.
49.
How many judges on the federal Supreme Court
a)
7
b)
9
c)
11
d)
14
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