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WorksheetsAmerican Government
Total questions: 35
Worksheet time: 18mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Why did the delegates start the Preamble to the Constitution with the words "We, the people"?
a)
To record that all citizens wrote the Constitution
b)
To state the government power comes from the people
c)
To declare that the people were separating from Great Britain
d)
To provide an introduction that would interest readers
2.
What is the primary work of Congress?
a)
To make laws for the country
b)
To debate whether laws are constitutional
c)
To determine who will be the candidate for president
d)
To be the chief executives of the states they represent
3.
What is the final step before a national bill becomes a law?
a)
It is signed by the president
b)
It is voted on by the citizens
c)
It is passed by the Supreme Court
d)
It is approved by state legislators
4.
What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances?
a)
To list the responsibilities of elected officials
b)
To make it difficult to amend the Constitution
c)
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
d)
To share power between state and national governments
5.
The US population can directly participate in government in all of these ways except
a)
Passing laws
b)
Joining interest groups
c)
Participating in elections
d)
Belonging to political parties
6.
Which of these powers is shared by state and national governments?
a)
Declaring war
b)
Printing money
c)
Negotiating treaties
d)
Raising taxes
7.
All of these are advantages to having states share a common market (established in the Commerce Clause) except
a)
It creates a single national economy
b)
Trade outside of the country is prohibited
c)
A large business can be located in several states
d)
Goods and resources can move more easily across the country
8.
Which of these is one purpose of the Bill of Rights?
a)
To determine the election process
b)
To rewrite the Constitution
c)
To limit the power of government
d)
To outline the responsibilities of Congress
9.
Which of these describes Thomas Jefferson's belief about government and religion?
a)
He believed religion should guide government policy
b)
He believed in the separation of religion and government
c)
He believed taxes should pay for the construction of churches
d)
He believed that only members of a religion should serve as president
10.
Which of these would not be protected by the First Amendment?
a)
Criticizing officials in an editorial
b)
Debating controversial issues in class
c)
Promoting ideas that are unpopular
d)
Damaging property in a protest march
11.
Which of these guarantees that a group has the right to gather to protest a tax they think is unfair?
a)
The right to privacy
b)
The right to assemble
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
The right to worship freely
12.
What is meant by the "due process of law" included in the Fifth Amendment?
a)
The government must follow rules as it carries out the law
b)
If you are accused of a crime, the law does not guarantee your rights
c)
If you are accused of a crime, the law requires you to pay a fine
d)
The government cannot deny freedom to convicted criminals
13.
What does the Ninth Amendment say about rights not listed in the Constitution?
a)
Rights not listed do not exist according to the law
b)
Rights not listed must be added to be considered rights
c)
There are rights beyond those listed
d)
The rights listed are the only ones approved by the states
14.
Which branch has the power to collect taxes and decide how tax money is spent?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
15.
Which branch includes the official who serves as commander in chief of the military
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
16.
Which branch of government has the power to grant citizenship
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
17.
Members of this branch of government serve for life
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
18.
This branch of government has the power to officially declare war.
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
19.
Which branch of government has the power to make treaties with foreign nations?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
20.
Which branch of government is in charge of interpreting the Constitution?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
21.
How old must a person be to become a US Senator?
a)
25
b)
30
c)
35
d)
40
22.
How old must a person be to become a member of the House of Representatives?
a)
25
b)
30
c)
35
d)
40
23.
How old must a person be to become President?
a)
25
b)
30
c)
35
d)
40
24.
How long is the term for a member of the Senate?
a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
25.
How long is the term for a member of the House of Representatives?
a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
26.
How long is the term for a President?
a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
27.
What is the power to decide whether laws are unconstitutional called?
a)
Double jeopardy
b)
Self-incrimination
c)
Judicial Review
d)
Federalism
28.
What is putting a person on trial more than once for the same crime called?
a)
Warrant
b)
Judicial Review
c)
Double jeopardy
d)
Self-incrimination
29.
What is the term for a person who is accused of a crime and put on trial?
a)
Defendant
b)
Warrant
c)
Lawyer
d)
Prosecution
30.
What is the term for the sharing of power between national and state governments?
a)
Judicial Review
b)
Double jeopardy
c)
Federalism
d)
Warrant
31.
What is an order that authorizes police to take action called?
a)
Defendant
b)
Federalist
c)
Warrant
d)
Judicial review
32.
What is the term for giving testimony that can be used against oneself?
a)
Judicial Review
b)
Due Process
c)
Double Jeopardy
d)
Self-incrimination
33.
Which of the following is a way the President can balance the power of Congress?
a)
Veto bills
b)
Declare actions unconstitutional
c)
Nominate federal judges
d)
Impeach members of Congress
34.
Which of the following is a way the Supreme Court can balance the power of Congress?
a)
Declare laws unconstitutional
b)
Impeach members of Congress
c)
Call special sessions of Congress
d)
Approve presidential appointments
35.
Which of the following is a way Congress can balance the power of the President?
a)
Impeachment
b)
Declare laws unconstitutional
c)
Appoint judges
d)
Veto laws
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