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Worksheets

PMA 2

Total questions: 69

Worksheet time: 1hrs 24mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why did the Second Continental Congress create a weak central government in the Articles of Confederation?

a)

to encourage more trade between states

b)

to preserve the powers of the individual states

c)

to promote national security against foreign invasion

d)

to permit the taxation of citizens to pay the nation's debts

2.

The Articles of Confederation created a _________________ system of government.

a)

strong

b)

average

c)

confederal

d)

federal

3.
Under the Articles of Confederation, the government consisted of _______________ branch of government.
a)
3
b)
2
c)
1
d)
4
4.
One weakness of the Articles of the Confederation was ____________. 
a)
The ability of Congress to tax.
b)
The inability of Congress to tax.
c)
The ability of Congress to declare war.
d)
The ability of Congress to create courts.
5.
In order to change (amend) the Articles of Confederation,  __________ out of 13 states had to agree. 
a)
9
b)
10
c)
13
d)
15
6.

Which document addressed the weaknesses shown in the cartoon?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

United States Constitution

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

Articles of Confederation

7.

The problem with having no court system under the Articles of Confederation was that...

a)

no one would go to jail

b)

disputes between states or citizens of different states could not be settled fairly

c)

there was no system to license lawyers

8.
What is the name of the first written plan of government for the newly independent U.S.A.?
a)
Constitution
b)
Treaty of Paris
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
Articles of Confederation
9.
This picture shows which weakness of the Articles?
a)
no common currency
b)
no executive branch
c)
no power to tax
d)
one vote for each state
10.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had no power to ensure its laws were followed by the states. How did the US Constitution remedy/fix this problem?

a)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY CREATING A JUDICIAL BRANCH WITH A SUPREME COURT TO INTERPRET LAWS.

b)

THE US CONSTITUTION WAS NOT CAPABLE OF REMEDYING THIS ISSUE

c)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY TAXING STATES

d)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY CREATING AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO ENFORCE LAWS

11.

Under the Articles of Confederation, only the state legislatures could levy (collect) taxes. How did the US Constiution fix this problem?

a)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY ALLOWING THE STATES TO DONATE MONEY WHEN THEY COULD.

b)

THE US CONSTITUTION COULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM

c)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY ALLOWING BOTH THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES TO COLLECT TAXES

d)

THE US CONSTITUTION FIXED THIS PROBLEM BY NOT COLLECTING TAXES AT ALL.

12.

1.The Confederation Congress (under the Articles of Confederation) could declare war BUT THEN----> 2. ??????????? ------> 3. so it could direct the army and navy.

a)

draft soldiers.

b)

ask the states to contribute troops and money

c)

take a training class for the army

13.

Who wanted a strong central/federal/national government?

a)

Federalists

b)

Anti-Federalists

14.

Which article(s) of the Constitution would be involved if the president asked Congress to declare war on a foreign country?

a)

Article I

b)

Article II

c)

Articles I and II

d)

Articles I, II, and III

15.

How did the Constitution deal with a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

It created an executive branch to carry out the laws

b)

It provided for a legislature to make the laws

c)

It allowed each state to have sovereignty over its laws.

d)

It limited the powers of government through checks and balances.

16.
The U.S. Constitution divides the governments power into __ branches.
a)
2
b)
3
c)
5
d)
8
17.
The legislative branch is made up of ___.
a)
federal courts
b)
Congress
c)
magistrates
d)
departments and agencies
18.
Dividing the government into 3 specific branches is called?
a)
Checks and Balances
b)
Tri-Government Balance
c)
Pyramid of Power
d)
Separation of Powers
19.
The theory of government where one branch has power to keep another branch of government from becoming too powerful is called?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Limited Government
d)
Constitutional Government
20.

Which is the basic message of the Preamble to the U.S Constitution?

a)

This document is an improvement over the Articles of Confederation

b)

This document was written for the purpose of achieving six important goals

c)

This document outlines a framework for government

d)

This document should be ratified as quickly as possible

21.

Which statement best demonstrates the view of the Anti-Federalists regarding ratification of the Constitution?

a)

The national government should take precedence over state governments and be the “supreme Law of the land.”

b)

The individual liberties of the people must be protected from abuses by the federal government.

c)

A strong national government will prevent another Shays’s Rebellion from occurring.

d)

State government should have some powers, but they must not be in opposition to those of the national government.

22.

How does this photo illustrate the effects of later amendments to the Constitution?

a)

It shows people paying a poll tax, which Southern states instituted in response to the Fifteenth Amendment.

b)

It shows poor people voting, which they could not have done before the Twenty-fourth Amendment repealed the poll tax

c)

It shows women, an African American, and a young person voting, which would not have been possible without the Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-sixth Amendments.

d)

It shows women and African Americans receiving due process and equal protection of the laws in a state election, which were guaranteed in the Fourteenth Amendment.

23.

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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude. —Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution

Which statement suggests the Fifteenth Amendment’s purpose was not initially fulfilled?

a)

Many African American men were prevented from voting through the use of poll tax laws.

b)

African American women did not gain suffrage until passage of the Nineteenth Amendment

c)

African American teenagers did not gain suffrage until passage of the Twenty-sixth Amendment.

d)

Many Southern states restricted the rights of African Americans by passing laws called black codes.

24.

This diagram shows some of the steps involved in how a bill becomes a law. Which answer completes the diagram?

a)

The bill is sent to the Senate, debated, and then approved.

b)

Congress overturns the president’s veto by a two-thirds vote.

c)

The Senate passes its own version of the bill

d)

The bill goes to a conference committee for revision.

25.

Congress shall have power . . . to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing power. —The United States Constitution

To what does this statement refer?

a)

an executive privilege

b)

the elastic clause

c)

nonlegislative powers

d)

limits on governmental power

26.

Which of the following is a power held only by members of the Senate?

a)

the ability to override a veto

b)

the ability to impeach the president

c)

the ability to filibuster

d)

the ability to initiate policy

27.

The following passage is from Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. —Constitution of the United States

a)

The candidate must have been honorably discharged from the military.

b)

The candidate must be at least 35 years old.

c)

The candidate must have prior legislative experience.

d)

The candidate must be a naturalized citizen of the United States.

28.

“[P]riorities remain clear: to provide a tax cut for working families, to promote policies that produce jobs and economic growth, and to assist millions of our fellow Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.” —Representative Nancy Pelosi (California), 2010 press release

Based on this quotation, which political party does Pelosi most likely belong to?

a)

Green Party USA

b)

Democratic Party

c)

Republican Party

d)

Communist Party USA

29.

The United States experiences an economic decline. Unemployment goes up. Housing prices go up. Salaries go down. Which recommendation is the Republican Party most likely to make in response to this crisis?

a)

The government should take a direct action to fix the economy.

b)

The government should provide assistance to the unemployed.

c)

The government should take a minor action to fix the economy.

d)

The government should purchase all businesses and resources.

30.

The boxes below show political campaign flyers for two candidates in a mock election for governor. See image

Why might Lacey North be more qualified to be governor?

a)

She is older than Chip Renwald.

b)

She has experience in government.

c)

She is trustworthy

d)

She works hard for Florida.

31.

This image shows supporters of John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate in 2008. Why is this an example of propaganda?

a)

McCain is reminding people that he served in Vietnam and was a prisoner of war

b)

McCain is implying that the Republican candidate thinks of the country before any political considerations.

c)

McCain is stating that the Democratic candidate cares more about winning than about the country.

d)

McCain is letting people know that when he becomes president, he will focus on domestic affairs

32.

What were the issues at stake in the Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore?

a)

Florida’s election laws setting a deadline for announcing final results and a recount of all ballots

b)

a violation of the U.S. Constitution and the improper marking of some ballots

c)

whether the U.S. Supreme Court had the right to rule on a recount of Florida’s votes and name a winner

d)

a recount of votes and who would become president of the United States

33.

What is the main purpose of political action committees (PACs)?

a)

to raise campaign funds to support challengers

b)

to support participation in campaigns by the general electorate

c)

to raise campaign funds to support favored candidates

d)

to support policies that improve domestic relations

34.

Which political party believes that the federal government should play a less active role in people's lives and that

individuals can take care of themselves without government help?

a)

Republican Party

b)

Democratic Party

c)

Libertarian Party

d)

Socialist Party

35.

What do the 15th , 19th , 24th and 26th amendment all have in common?

a)

They all gave more citizens the right to vote

b)

They all limited citizens' right to vote

c)

They all helped people in poverty

d)

They all related to racial discrimination

36.

Which constitutional amendment made such notice no longer necessary?

a)

15th

b)

19th

c)

24th

d)

26th

37.

Which amendment changed the voting age from 21 to 18?

a)

15th

b)

19th

c)

24th

d)

26th

38.

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution made slavery

unconstitutional in the United States?

a)

10th

b)

13th

c)

15th

d)

19th

39.

________ are the basic rights of citizens to be free from unequal treatment based on certain characteristics (e.g., race, gender, disability).

a)

states' rights

b)

individual rights

c)

civil rights

d)

federal rights

40.
In a Federal system power is____?
In a Unitary system power is____?
a)
shared, delegated
b)
ruled by a democracy, ruled by a monarchy 
c)
expanded, limited
d)
divided among the branches, held by one branch 
41.
Which of the following is an example of the media exercising its "watchdog' role over government?
a)
A local radio talk show about uniforms in school
b)
A televised debate between presidential campaigns
c)
A newspaper story about the building if a new highway
d)
A local television news report about a city councilman taking bribes
42.
The table shows lobbying methods and their associated costs and time required. 
Which are her best options?
a)
An online petition and letters to citizens
b)
Calling citizens by phone and letters to citizens
c)
Emailing the representatives and an online petition
d)
Group rally event and emailing the representative
43.

What is the main purpose of lobbying?

a)

To reduce the budget by doing away with earmarks

b)

to safeguard and limit the power of government

c)

to speed up the process of a bill becoming a law

d)

to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest group

44.
Which question would a citizen want to ask to determine whether a lobbyist is working on behalf of the public interest?
a)
Has the lobbyist worked as a public official before?
b)
How long has the person been a lobbyist?
c)
How much is the lobbyist being paid?
d)
What organization hired the lobbyist?
45.
You want to get a law passed on requiring gas detectors in all houses. What type of group would you most likely organize to help reach the goal?
a)
City Council
b)
Focus Group
c)
Interest Group
d)
Political Party
46.
What is the most important thing that a political debate can teach a voter about a candidate?
a)
How much support the candidate already has
b)
What kind of TV personality the candidate has
c)
Where the candidate stands on certain issues
d)
Whether the candidate is comfortable on camera
47.

Which of the following are ways that individuals can influence government? Choose all that apply.

a)

voting

b)

act as watchdog

c)

attending civic meetings

d)

joining interest groups

48.

This poster was displayed in 1947, at the beginning of the Cold War.

How can the information on this poster best be categorized?

a)

Advertisement

b)

Entertainment

c)

Factual

d)

Propaganda

49.

This poster was displayed in 1876.

What is primary goal of this propaganda poster?

a)

To encourage people to move to government lands.

b)

To discourage people from moving to government lands.

c)

To encourage people to move to California.

d)

To discourage people from moving to California.

50.
Which type of communication is shown in this poster?
a)
accurate
b)
biased
c)
informational
d)
propagandized
51.

What propaganda TECHNIQUE is being used?

a)

Bandwagon

b)

Slogan

c)

Testimonial

d)

Glittering Generalities

52.

What propaganda TECHNIQUE is being used?

a)

Testimonial

b)

Name Calling

c)

Card Stacking

d)

Repetition

53.
 What propagandaTECHNIQUE is being used?
a)
bandwagon
b)
testimonial
c)
part of the group
d)
following
54.
What type of propaganda does this show?
a)
transfer
b)
plain folk
c)
glittering generalities
d)
bandwagon 
55.
a)
Plain Folks
b)
Transfer
c)
Bandwagon
d)
Testimonial
56.

propaganda technique using short phrases or words to promote positive feelings or emotions

a)

bandwagon

b)

card stacking

c)

glittering generalities

d)

testimonial

57.

propaganda technique involving the use of symbols to convey a message or feeling

a)

transfer

b)

testimonial

c)

name calling

d)

bandwagon

58.

How do the media typically influence government?

a)

by reporting court procedures

b)

by making political contributions

c)

by investigating illegal business practices

d)

by broadcasting campaign advertisements

59.

The passage below is from a U.S. Supreme Court decision.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has for many years imposed …a “fairness doctrine,” requiring that public issues be presented by broadcasters and that each side of those issues be given fair coverage.

Based on the passage, what is a goal of the FCC regulation?

a)

to limit bias in political communication

b)

to promote bias in political communication

c)

to limit symbolism in political communication

d)

to promote symbolism in political communication

60.

Below is a statement made by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

"…the news media seem to want to carry the negative."

What type of political communication is being referenced in the statement?

a)

bias

b)

persuasion

c)

propaganda

d)

symbolism

61.

The poster below was placed in public buildings, businesses and schools by a civil rights group.

What is a long term policy goal of the interest group?

a)

electing candidates

b)

regulating elections

c)

improving citizens lives

d)

influencing political appointments

62.

Where is power concentrated in a unitary system of government?

a)

central government

b)

state government

c)

military

d)

dictator

63.

What system of government was in place after the United States adopted the U.S. Constitution?

a)

confederal

b)

federal

c)

oligarchy

d)

parliamentary

64.
In the Preamble, the words common defence mean...
a)
building a fence around the country
b)
calm and peaceful land
c)
protection for all the states
d)
each state must provide its own protection
65.
In the Preamble, the words domestic Tranquility mean...
a)
a calm and peaceful homeland
b)
foreign peace
c)
you have the right to defend yourself
d)
fair for everyone
66.

Why did the Preamble to the Constitution begin with the phrase " We the People"?

a)

To indicate that the national government had limited powers

b)

Tp indicate that the states had been associated in a confederation

c)

To indicate that the federal power was separated among three branches

d)

To indicate that the American people were the ultimate source of authority

67.

The table below describes a type of government.

??

Executive---elected by the legislature

Legislature---elected by the people


Which title completes the table?

a)

parliamentary government

b)

confederal government

c)

federal government

d)

unitary government

68.

The table below describes a type of government.

??

Executive---elected by the legislature

Legislature---elected by the people


Which title completes the table?

a)

parliamentary government

b)

confederal government

c)

federal government

d)

unitary government

69.

A system of government where the power lies with the legislative body and the leader of the country is part of the legislature.

a)

Unitary

b)

Federal

c)

Parliamentary

d)

Confederal