WorksheetsFHS Civics Unit 2: National Government
Total questions: 35
Worksheet time: 1hrs 10mins
"All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."
-Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution
What is the main job of Congress?
enforce laws
make laws
interpret laws
execute laws
"Congress shall have power...to borrow money on the credit of the United States;
...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers..."
-Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution
Based on the excerpt above, which of the following was determined by the Supreme Court to be an implied power of Congress?
prohibiting freedom of press
taxing individual incomes
establishing an army and navy
creating a national bank
Which of the following is NOT an expressed power of Congress?
regulate commerce with foreign nations
establish post offices and post roads
enact bills of attainder and ex post facto laws
constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court
"The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States..."
-Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution
Which action taken by a U.S. president was justified by the above excerpt?
George Washington called forth the militia to put down the Whiskey Rebellion
FDR used Executive Order 9066 to intern Japanese Americans during World War 2
Harry Truman seized control of steel mills to prevent strikes during the Korean conflict
Andrew Jackson withdrew federal deposits from the Bank of the U.S. in order to destroy it.
How can the Constitution be amended?
proposed by majority vote in the House of Representatives, ratified by majority vote in the Senate
proposed by majority vote in Congress, ratified by majority of voters in the United States
proposed by 2/3 of both houses of Congress, ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures
proposed by the President, ratified by majority vote in the Supreme Court
"All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other bills."
-Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution
Why did the framers include the above clause in the Constitution?
They wanted to make sure taxes were immune to Judicial Review
They wanted to make sure tax laws originated with direct representatives of the people.
They wanted to make sure the President approved all tax bills
They wanted to make sure taxes were not levied on individual incomes
"If any bill shall not be returned by the President with ten days after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law."
-From Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution
If the president holds on to a bill without signing it, and Congress adjourns before 10 days expires, what happens to the bill?
It is pocket vetoed
It is declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
It becomes law
It is sent to state governors for approval
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
-First Amendment to the Constitution
Which of the following would be in violation of the 1st Amendment?
denying the right to a trial by jury in a felony criminal case
enacting a law that restricts ownership of assault rifles
Prohibiting the publication of classified military intelligence during a time of war
Banning the publication of a book that criticizes the President
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States...No state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
-From the 14th Amendment to the Constitution (1868)
What was the intent of the 14th Amendment when it was ratified in 1868?
to protect the right to vote for women
to abolish slavery
to prevent Congress from passing the Reconstruction Acts
to grant citizenship and rights to the freedmen who were once slaves
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States...No state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
-From the 14th Amendment to the Constitution (1868)
How did the Supreme Court interpret the 14th Amendment in the Brown v. Board of Education decision?
It declared "separate but equal" did not violate the "equal protection clause" of the 14th Amendment
It declared "separate but equal" schools to be in violation of the "equal protection clause" of the 14th Amendment.
It declared the 14th Amendment to be unconstitutional due to an irregularity in the ratification process.
It declared the 14th Amendment did not apply to state governments.
During World War II, FDR issued Executive Order 9066 to force Japanese Americans into internment camps. Fred Korematsu sued, claiming the order violed the 14th Amendment's "equal protection" clause. What was the ruling of the Supreme Court in Korematsu v. USA?
The Court ruled in favor of Korematsu, claiming individual rights are never limited during a time of national crisis.
The Court ruled in favor of Korematsu, stripping the President of the power to enact broad powers during a national emergency.
The Court ruled against Korematsu, declaring that because of the circumstances of the war, the executive order was a legal use of the president's power.
The Court through the case out, declaring lack of jurisdiction for cases involving the U.S. government
What is the relevance of the 14th Amendment in Supreme Court decision such as Miranda v. Arizona, Mapp v. Ohio, and Gideon v. Wainwright?
The 14th Amendment protects the right to vote for African Americans and Women
The 14th Amendment nullifies state constitutions' declaration of rights
The 14th Amendment incorporates the Bill of Rights into the states
The 14th Amendment required states to lower the voting age to 18.
The Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General are part of what group of advisers that helps the president carry out the responsibilities of the executive branch?
The Conference Committee
The Cabinet
The Federal Reserve
The United Nations
During a Congressional election year, the President can often be seen giving campaign speeches supporting candidates from the same political party. This helps describe the President's role as what?
Party leader
Commander in Chief
Chief Diplomat
Head of State
During the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter helped negotiate a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. This event helps explain the President's role as what?
Commander in Chief
Economic Leader
Party Leader
Chief Diplomat
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
-Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution
How did the 19th Amendment expand the right to vote in the United States?
It protected the right to vote for women
It protected the right to vote for all white males
It protected the right to vote for freedmen
It protected the right to vote for 18 year olds
"We conclude that in the field of education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal."
-Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education, 1954
What part of the Constitution did the Supreme Court rely on to declare segregation to be unconstitutional?
1st Amendment establishment clause
14th Amendment equal protection clause
5th Amendment due process clause
Article I elastic clause
The majority party in the state legislature may draw district lines in a way that gives it an advantage over the opposing party. This is a tactic known as what?
Franking
Lobbying
Gerrymandering
Filibustering
When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a racially gerrymandered district as unconstitutional, what part of the Constitution was it relying on to make that determination?
1st Amendment establishment clause
14th Amendment equal protection clause
Article I commerce clause
4th Amendment reasonable search clause
U.S. Senators can speak as long as they wish during debate on a bill. If a senator who opposes a bill wants to delay the vote because he or she believes the bill will pass, what tactic might be used?
Filibuster
Pocket Veto
Judicial Review
Pork Barrel
What principle of government is at work when the President uses a pardon to free a person that has been convicted of a crime in a federal court?
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
Equal Protection
Checks and Balances
In 2002, President Bush signed the Homeland Security Act into law and created the new Department of Homeland Security. What group of advisers to the President was expanded with this action?
Conference Committee
Cabinet
Supreme Court
Federal Reserve
The USA PATRIOT Act allowed the U.S. government to observe and collect communications like telephone calls and emails that might be linked to terrorist activities. Why are some Americans concerned about this expanded national authority?
Some Americans believe the Constitution does not give the national government authority over international trade.
Some Americans believe the law violates the Supremacy clause of Article VI.
Some Americans believe the new authority will lead to World War III.
Some Americans believe this violates citizens' civil rights, such as the right to privacy.
Which of the following cases would most likely been tried in a U.S. District Court rather than a state court?
A case involving a charge of murder
A case involving a charge of income tax evasion
A case involving a charge of simple assault
A case involving a lawsuit between two residents of the same state
Presidential Election Results:
Candidate..Popluar Vote..Electoral Vote
.......X...........41 million...............260.......
.......Y...........40 million...............278.......
What would be the result of the presidential election given the above information?
Candidate X becomes president
Candidate Y becomes president
The House of Representatives would choose the President
The Senate would choose the President
If the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives pass different versions of the same bill, what action will likely follow?
The Supreme Court will declare the bill to be unconstitutional
The President will sign only the Senate's version of the bill
Congress will form a Conference Committee to reach a compromise bill
The bill will be filibustered in the House of Representatives
In the 1964 case Reynolds v. Sims, the Supreme Court ruled that state legislative districts must have approximately equal populations. What principle did this decision help establish in state governments?
"taxation without representation"
"one person, one vote"
"separate but equal"
"executive privilege"
In the 1974 case United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court ordered President Nixon to turn over audiotapes that could be used as evidence in a trial related to the Watergate scandal. What principle was upheld in this decision?
Separation of Powers
Federalism
Executive Privilege
Rule of law
The Constitution states that the Vice President shall be president of the Senate, but shall only vote in case of a tie. Since the Vice President is usually absent from the Senate, which official usually presides over the Senate?
Speaker of the House
President of the United States
President Pro Tempore
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Following the controversial presidential election of 1800 (which resulted in a tie), the 12th Amendment was added to the Constitution. How did the 12th Amendment modify the presidential election process?
It protected the right to vote for slaves and women
It abolished the electoral college
It limited that amount donors could give to campaigns
It required electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution
Which principle of government is enhanced by the above passage?
Popular Sovereignty
Republicanism
Checks and Balances
Equal protection of laws
"The President, Vice President, and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution
Which of the following has the power to try impeachments?
House of Representatives
Senate
Supreme Court
Cabinet
"He (the president) shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur..."
Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution
Which of the following principles of government is enhanced by the above passage?
Checks and Balances
Rule of Law
Limited Government
Popular Sovereignty
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent a diplomat to France to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. In doing this, President Jefferson was acting in his role as what?
Commander in Chief
Chief Legislator
Economic Leader
Chief Diplomat
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson received permission from Congress to use any force necessary to defend South Vietnam from attacks by North Vietnam. By ordering the American Army and Navy to Vietnam, President Johnson was acting in his role as what?
Chief Diplomat
Legislative Leader
Commander in Chief
Head of State
