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WorksheetsThird Nine Weeks Benchmark
Total questions: 38
Worksheet time: 29mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which statement best expresses the principle of "consent of the governed"?
a)
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year
b)
All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives
c)
We the People of the United States...establish this Constitution
d)
No person except a natural born citizen shall be eligible to the Office of President
2.
Why have only 27 amendments been added to the Constitution of the United States in more than 200 years?
a)
The process of adding amendments is very complex.
b)
The courts strike down many amendments.
c)
National laws limit the number of amendments.
d)
Changes in society are too small to require amendments.
3.
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union" best refers to-
a)
failed policies made by foreign officials
b)
grievances in the Declaration of Independence
c)
national problems caused by outdated laws
d)
weaknesses within the Articles of Confederation
4.
A citizen can help ensure the rights of an accused person by —
a)
Serving in the military
b)
Paying income tax
c)
Serving on a jury
d)
Obeying the state law
5.
Why is community service important in a democratic nation?
a)
It helps businesses find and train new employees
b)
It addresses local needs and serves the public good.
c)
It lowers unemployment by giving jobs to volunteers.
d)
It removes the national government's duty to improve society.
6.
The number of members in the House of Representatives is based on-
a)
State population
b)
The number of districts
c)
Voter registration
d)
The number of state senators
7.
The president's power to veto legislation is a way to influence-
a)
Judicial Review
b)
Foreign Affairs
c)
International Trade
d)
National Policies
8.
Which branch of government has the power to declare Virginia laws unconstitutional?
a)
State judicial branch
b)
Federal executive branch
c)
State executive branch
d)
Federal legislative branch
9.
Which executive power is being demonstrated when the president gives the State of the Union Address?
a)
Power to influence legislation
b)
Ability to veto legislation
c)
Power to approve cabinet members
d)
Ability to change judicial decisions
10.
In which court case did the United States Supreme Court establish the power of judicial review?
a)
Dred Scott v. Sandford
b)
Brown v. Board of Education
c)
Marbury v. Madison
d)
Plessy v. Ferguson
11.
If local government in Virginia banned smoking in public, they most likely created this law in order to —
a)
promote public health
b)
support federal laws
c)
protect consumer rights
d)
regulate land use
12.
The principle of federalism gives governmental power to —
a)
the county and local governments
b)
a strong confederate government
c)
the national and state governments
d)
a powerful state government
13.
A congressman is caught drunk driving. He is arrested and goes to court. This is an example of what basic principle?
a)
Limited government
b)
Consent of the governed
c)
Rule of law
d)
Democracy
14.
Which fundamental principle of government says that citizens should elect officials to make laws oh their behalf?
a)
Representative government
b)
Democracy
c)
Rule of law
d)
Limited government
15.
Which document served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution?
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Charters of the Virginia Company of London
c)
Virginia Declaration of Rights
d)
Declaration of Independence
16.
Which part of the Constitution lists the goals of the government?
a)
Bill of Rights
b)
Preamble
c)
Articles
d)
Amendments
17.
Which steps must a person perform in order to become a naturalized citizen?
a)
Purchase a voter registration card
b)
Know at least twenty five American citizens
c)
Show literacy in English and pass an American history/civics test
d)
Pass a full health and fitness exam by a doctor
18.
All of the following are civic duties EXCEPT —
a)
Paying taxes
b)
Voting
c)
Serving on a jury
d)
Serving in the armed forced when called
19.
All of the following freedoms are protected under the First Amendment EXCEPT —
a)
Press
b)
Speech
c)
Religion
d)
Privacy
20.
Which statement best demonstrates a citizen participating in community service?
a)
Michael works at a local bookstore three days a week
b)
Jacob babysits his two younger sisters every Saturday while his mother goes to the grocery store
c)
Taylor collects plastic bottles at her school and takes them to the local recycling center every Saturday.
d)
Emily cleans her room and washes her laundry every weekend.
21.
Which statement is something that both Republicans and Democrats try to do?
a)
Reflect fundamental liberal views
b)
Believe in little government involvement in the economy
c)
Influence public policies at the state and national levels
d)
Reflect fundamental conservative views
22.
Which age group typically has the lowest voter turnout?
a)
18-21
b)
25-35
c)
40-50
d)
55-75
23.
The number of electors a state has in the Electoral College is based on the —
a)
average membership in political parties
b)
number of citizens registered to vote
c)
number of Congressional representatives
d)
average population of towns and cities
24.
Which branch of the national government approves the federal budget?
a)
Legislative
b)
Judicial
c)
Executive
d)
Cabinet
25.
Who is the leader of the executive branch of government?
a)
President Pro Tempore
b)
Speaker of the House
c)
Chief Justice
d)
President of the United States
26.
Which of the following is an example of the judicial branch checking the powers of the other two branches of government?
a)
Preparing an annual budget
b)
Declaring laws unconstitutional
c)
Impeaching federal officials
d)
Overriding vetoes
27.
What happens to a bill after it is introduced?
a)
Sent to a committee
b)
Signed by the President
c)
Sent to the other house for debate
d)
Voted on by both houses of Congress
28.
When the president lead the nation's armed forces, he is serving in which role?
a)
Commander in Chief
b)
Chief Diplomat
c)
Chief of State
d)
Chief of Party
29.
If the President does not agree with a law passed by Congress, the president may —
a)
Debate Congress
b)
Bring it to the Supreme Court
c)
Override the law
d)
Veto the law
30.
What is the name of Virginia's Legislative Branch?
a)
General Congress
b)
General Meeting
c)
General Assembly
d)
House of Burgess
31.
What is a mayor?
a)
Chief executive of a county
b)
School board leader
c)
Chief executive of a city
d)
Chief executive of a state
32.
Who are the Board of Supervisors?
a)
Town government leaders
b)
State government leaders
c)
City government leaders
d)
County government leaders
33.
What do you call a group of people who work to get Congress to pass laws to support their interests?
a)
PACs
b)
Constituents
c)
Lobbyists
d)
The Public
34.
The 5th Amendment protects us from unfair actions by the —
a)
State government
b)
Foreign government
c)
National government
d)
Local government
35.
What court in Virginia has limited original and mostly appellate jurisdiction?
a)
Virginia Supreme Court
b)
Circuit Court
c)
Court of Appeals
d)
General District Court
36.
When police have a good reason to believe a suspect has been involved in a crime, they have —
a)
Warrants for crimes
b)
Probable Cause
c)
Criminal Cases
d)
Criminal Cause
37.
What is a civil case?
a)
When someone breaks the law
b)
Disagreement between two parties
c)
When someone is caught speeding
d)
When someone goes to the Supreme Court
38.
What court has the judicial review over all lower courts?
a)
Court of Appeals
b)
US Supreme Court
c)
Circuit Court
d)
State Supreme Court
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