WorksheetsFinal Exam Study Guide
Total questions: 116
Worksheet time: 58mins
Why did the framers divide government powers between the national government and the states?
One level of government couldn't handle all the responsibilities.
Dividing government powers would prevent an abuse of power
Dividing government powers created more political jobs
They wanted two levels of government with exactly the same powers
Who has the final authority over all military matters?
The House of Representatives
The Senate
The Supreme Court
The President
What does the Miranda rule say?
Accused persons are entitled to a fair and speedy trial
A confession to a crime will not be accepted in court
Police must tell a suspect about his/her rights before questioning
Police must get a warrant before searching a home
How did English documents such as the English Bill of Rights influence American settlers?
The documents almost prevented the American Revolution
The governments they set up in the US included the same rights as the English documents
They avoided the mistakes made in those documents
They caused anger among the settlers and colonists
Which of the following describes judicial review?
The executive branch may reject a decision of the courts
The courts may declare an act of Congress or the President unconstitutional
Congress may check the power of the President
Congress may decide if a decision of the courts is constitutional
How does Congress override a President's veto?
Minority vote of each house
using a filibuster
voting for cloture
2/3 vote of each house of Congress
Which of the following is true of an ex post facto law?
It always helps the person accused of a crime
It applies to a crime committed before the law was passed
It allows a person to be punished without a court trial
It prevents a person from being tried in federal court
According to the Declaration of Independence, what circumstances justify abolishing, or ending, a government?
If the government imposes taxes on the people
If the people become irritated with government's leaders
If the government declares war without the people's consent
If the government fails to secure basic individual rights
In what way is the formal amendment process an example of FEDERALISM at work?
Amendments are proposed at the national level, ratification is state-by-state
The federal judicial branch proposes all amendments
Amendments are approved by a majority of state governors
Amendments are proposed and ratified at the federal level
Why did all of the first state constitutions include the ideas of separation of powers and limited government?
so they could guard against the abuse of government power
so they could ensure the governor would have enough power
because that was a requirement of the USCON
because the original state charters included these ideas
The free exercise of religion may be limited when a religious practice does which of the following?
tries to recruit new members
violates criminal laws
is strange, weird, or unusual
is designed to raise money
What are the 3 most BASIC powers of government?
political power, public policy, and democratic power
legislative, executive, and judicial power
sovereign power, legislative, and judicial power
political power, executive power, dictatorial power
What do cities (and many local governments) provide to the people who live within them?
more freedoms
public services
new products
free money
What happens when a presidential candidate wins a state with just 51% of the popular vote (except for Maine and Nebraska)?
The winner of the popular vote in that state gets all of that state's electoral votes
The USCON requires that all the ballots be counted again
The election is too close to call, so that state has a runoff election
The winning candidate gets a proportional share of electoral votes
In which case has the Supreme Court ruled that police can conduct a search with no warrant?
searching a home
searching an automobile
searching an apartment
searching for drugs
What is the original source of many of the president's (and our government's) powers?
the USCON
the Ohio Constitution
the Supreme Court
the House of Representatives
In which situation can the government stop a public protest of its policies?
when the protest is unpopular
when another group disagrees or is offended
when protesters are violent
when the protest is on public property
What are delegated powers?
powers given to members of Congress by the Supreme Court
powers given to members of Congress by voters
powers given to Congress by the President
powers given to Congress by the Constitution
Which of the following is a duty of every American citizen?
voting
paying taxes
volunteering
donating to charity
Which is allowed under the Patriot Act in cases where terrorism is suspected?
Investigators' actions are not subject to a court's review
Investigators may ignore the 2nd Amendment
Investigators may ignore the 5th Amendment
Investigators may search a home or business when no one is there
What is the difference between criminal law and civil law?
Criminal laws are based on custom and tradition. Civil laws regulate state agencies.
Criminal laws require a jury. Civil laws do not require a jury.
Criminal laws are based on the USCON. Civil laws only regulate federal agencies.
Criminal law regulates citizens' behavior and protects public order. Civil law deals with citizens' behavior that DOES NOT involve a crime, but a dispute that is non-criminal.
What is a political party?
A set of political beliefs established by the USCON
elected officials who seek to soften the party's message
people with shared ideas who seek to win elections and control the government
a large gathering of people who enjoy discussing politics
According to the 6th Amendment, what is a defendant's right?
The defendant does not have to post bail until he or she is convicted
A person cannot be tried for a federal crime while being held in state prison
The defendant must be told the reasons for the charge
members of a jury must be of the same race and religion as the defendant
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 in all elections in the US?
26th
11th
15th
22nd
How is the USCON organized?
7 Articles, 27 Amendments, and the Declaration of Independence
a Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 Amendments
27 articles, a Preamble, and the Bill of Rights
a Bill of Rights, 7 articles, and 27 amendments
What is the first guarantee of the 1st Amendment to the USCON?
right to vote
freedom from slavery
right to bear arms
freedom of religion
Which is a reason states have voter registration?
so political parties can contact voters at election time
so states can enforce laws that require citizens to vote
to protect the voting rights of aliens and transients
to keep people from voting more than once
What do the guarantees of free expression in the 1st Amendment provide?
improved literacy
many newspapers and blogs
a variety of opinions
seditious speech
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
100
50
435
565
Which part of the USCON allows the Supreme Court to declare a state law unconstitutional when it conflicts with the powers of the national government?
Diplomacy Clause
Punishment Clause
Supremacy Clause
Concurrent Clause
The meeting of delegates in Philadelphia in 1787, which later became known as the Constitutional Convention, was for the purpose of revising (fixing) which document?
The Articles of Confederation
the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Rights
The Stamp Act
What do the police need in order to get a warrant to search a home?
probable cause that the suspect committed a crime
substantive due process for the suspect
a written complaint/report from the neighbor
a writ of certiorari
Which of the following is a basic principle followed by both state constitutions and the USCON?
colonialism
referendums
ratification
popular sovereignty
Which statement describes the Connecticut, or Great Compromise, that took place at the Constitutional Convention?
The new government would have 2 branches
There would be a one-part legislature with representatives from each state chosen by population
There would be one Congress with all states represented equally
In a two-part legislature, members of one part would be chosen by population, the other part would have two representatives from each state
Which court order is directed to an officer holding a prisoner to show why the prisoner SHOULD NOT be released?
guarantee against self-incrimination
writ of habeas corpus
due process
right to adequate defense
Which do many consider a flaw in the electoral college system?
Many elections end up being decided by the House of Reps
Electors are not required to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote (faithless electors)
Electors are not required to vote for the best possible candidate
Many electors do not cast their votes as they promised
People in the US may do as they please as long as they do not
anger the President or Congress
express weird or unpopular views
offend others
infringe on the rights of others
Which feature/part of the USCON was eventually created as a result of Anti-Federalists/ efforts?
a preamble
provisions for popular soveregnty
a bill of rights
provisions for elections
What is the importance of the Necessary and Proper Clause?
It tells Congress it can make all the laws necessary to carry out its duties
It gives Congress the power to write a new Constitution
It gives Congress unlimited powers
It limits Congress to a narrow set of constitutional powers
What is the underlying principle behind the right of the accused to "take the Fifth?"
The accused doesn't have to prove his/her innocence
All Americans may request a jury trial
The accused must have access to counsel
The accused has the right to confront witnesses
What legislative process allows voters to propose a new law and gather signatures in support of it?
optional referendum
popular referendum
mandatory referendum
initiative
What determines the number of presidential electors for a state?
number of cities
members of Congress
number of ballots cast
number of counties
What is the main idea of the Declaration of Independence?
that colonies would not pay taxes
that colonies would no longer submit to British rule and authority
that all men should be equally happy
that a constitution would be written to improve colonial government
Delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the AOC. What did this meeting become?
The First United States Congress
Confederation Congress
first national government
Constitutional Convention
Which of the following is an example of symbolic speech?
posting an advertisement to sell a car
shouting "bomb" on an airplane
starting false rumors
wearing an armband with a peace sign
If a person granted bail by a court doesn't show up for trial, what does that person lose?
driver's license
their pride
personal honor
money paid to the court
Which method can be used to add amendments to the USCON?
proposal by national convention, Supreme Court ratifies
proposal by executive branch, ratification by state legislators
proposal by Congress, ratification by state legislatures
proposal by Mr. Richard, ratification by state courts
Which court is the final authority on the meaning of the USCON?
Ohio Supreme Court
US Supreme Court
the district court
Common Pleas Court
Which is the process by which the heads of the Cabinet departments get their jobs?
The President makes the appointments, the Senate confirms them
The President appoints them, Common Pleas court confirms them
The US Senate makes the appointments, the President confirms them
The President makes the appointments, the state legislatures approve them
Which power gives states the authority to protect and promote the well-being of the people?
civil rights power
police power
general welfare power
defensive power
How did the 3/5 Compromise affect representation in Congress?
Every five slaves were counted as three free men
Small states had 3/5 the the power of large states
every 3 slaves were counted as 5 free men
New representatives were chosen every 3-5 years
Which court typically hears cases involving young people?
Municipal Court
State Supreme Court
Magistrate's Court
Juvenile Court
What are the 4 characteristics of a state (country)?
population, territory, constitution, people
freedom, liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness
population, territory, sovereignty, government
population, territory, government, free markets
Which is a voting requirement of all states?
ballots should and must be electronic
parties make the ballots, which must be on paper
ballots should be SECRET
ballots should be public
Some congressional powers are not written in the USCON but are suggested by the powers that are written there. What are they called?
inherent powers
implied powers
expressed powers
reserved powers
Which of the following describes the government system of federalism?
Most power is held by state governments
The states are independent with little to hold them together
power is divided between the federal government and the states
most power is held by the federal government
What is an important purpose of a major party's national convention?
to determine how to spend party money
to select the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates
to select the party's candidates for president
to draw attention away from the other parties
How do state constitutions compare to the USCON?
state constitutions are far shorter and more up to date
state constitutions are less easily amended or revised
state constitutions are much more detailed and less flexible
state constitutions are much less detailed and less flexible
Which title describes the President's role as head of the armed forces?
ambassador
chief diplomat
chief minister of defense
commander-in-chief
Where is the first place children learn attitudes about other people, authority, property, and politics?
from their peers
in school
from the Internet
in their families/at home
What was the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
to help Pennsylvania become a state
to help the Northwest become a new country
to establish Northwest High School
To give Congress the power to admit new states to the Union
What is the main purpose of the Patriot Act?
to undo the guarantee of probable cause
to protect against unlawful searches
to show appreciation for acts of patriotism
to guard the nation against terrorism
According to the USCON, which powers are reserved for the states?
any powers the states choose to claim for themselves
any powers granted by Congress
any powers NOT granted to the national government and NOT denied to the states
only the powers mentioned in the USCON
Which describes how the extradition process helps states to enforce their laws?
fugitives found in another state will be tried only in federal court
residents of one state are not subject to the laws of another state
fugitives who flee to another state will be returned for trial
fugitives who flee to another state will be tried in that state
What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
a felony is a less serious crime. a misdemeanor is a more serious crime
a misdemeanor requires a judge and jury. a felony only involves one other person
a felony is a major crime. a misdemeanor is a minor crime
a felony involves property crimes. a misdemeanor involves other people
The President must be which of the following to qualify for office?
no older than 75
a general or former general
a U.S. Senator
a natural born US citizen
Which type of congressional powers are clearly spelled out in the USCON?
implied powers
inherent powers
expressed powers
reserved powers
What was the main reason that the British government in London exercised little control over the American colonies?
The king allowed the colonies to govern themselves
The colonists were rebellious from the beginning
The king didn't care about the colonies and ignored them
London was 3,000 miles away, and it took months to communicate with the colonies
What is the main duty of the legislative branch of each state (and the federal government)?
to pass laws
to interpret laws
to settle disputes
to elect leaders
Which of the following prevents evidenced gained as a result of an illegal act by police from being used in a trial?
ex post facto law
writ of assistance
exclusionary rule
right to an attorney
The USCON provides for a separation of powers among the 3 branches of government. What keeps one branch from having more power than the others?
the Supreme Court
regular elections
a system of checks and balances
a bicameral Congress
In which house of Congress does each state have the SAME number of votes, no matter how large or small its population?
House of Representatives
Ohio General Assembly
US Senate Oversight Commitee
US Senate
What is the most expensive item in every State's budget?
welfare
health care
transportation
education
What is the main function of a political party?
raising money
holding conventions
creating platforms
choosing candidates (who try to win elections)
What is the introduction to the USCON called?
Article 1
Amendment 1
Preamble
Declaration
Which of the following keeps a state from denying that a birth certificate or driver's license is valid because it was issued by a different state?
Supremacy Clause
division of powers
interstate compact
Full Faith and Credit Clause
What guarantee is provided by the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment?
Federal law cannot interfere with state law
No state may deny basic rights to its people
Individual rights are never limited
State law takes precedence over federal law
Which term describes the powers that the USCON does not grant to the national government and does NOT, at the same time, deny to the states?
Reserved Powers
Inherent Powers
Exclusive Powers
Implied Powers
Why did many African-Americans in the South not vote even after the passage of the 15th Amendment?
no voting rights
amendment was too harsh
amendment was not enforced
they had no interest in politics
What is likely to happen when minor political parties are successful?
They become major parties
Their ideas are adopted by one of the major parties
They are more willing to negotiate and compromise
They win elections
What does it mean to say that after 1920 African-Americans were the largest group of disenfranchised citizens?
They belonged to both major parties
They were prevented from voting
They were voting regularly
They were counted as US citizens
The Bill of Rights is a list of
ways to amend the USCON
ways to cancel new legislation
basic freedoms and rights
rules for national elections
An example of a concurrent power shared by the national government and the states is
coining money
regulating interstate commerce
making foreign treaties
federal income and local sales taxes
During which war was the 26th Amendment passed?
Vietnam War
Civil War
WWI
Iraq War
What was the basic distinction (difference) between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists?
Federalists were for states rights, Anti-Federalists opposed states' rights
Federalists wanted a bicameral legislature, Anti-Federalists wanted a unicameral legislature
Federalists favored ratification of the USCON, Anti-Federalists opposed it
Federalists wanted Congress to have the power to tax, Anti-Federalists did not
A major flaw in the electoral college system (used to elect the President) is that
any election might have to be decided by the US Senate
electors are only chosen by popular vote
electors must vote in agreement with the popular vote
the candidate who wins the popular vote might NOT become President
How did the framers decide the President and Vice-President should be selected?
by Congress
by popular vote
by the Cabinet
by the electoral college
Which is a true statement about the millions of Americans who do note vote?
Many only vote in congressional elections
most cannot vote
most are unmarried
many are not interested in politics
How many total US Senators?
100
435
33
535
How many members in the House of Representatives?
100
435
33
535
Who holds the governmental power in a dictatorship?
the people
the people's representatives
the judicial branch
one person or a small group
To whom does the USCON give the primary (main) responsibility for the conduct of American foreign policy?
both houses of Congress
the House
the Senate
the President
The President is responsible for what part of the federal government?
executive branch
legislative branch
educational branch
judicial branch
Which basic principle of our government means that individuals have basic rights that government cannot take away?
ordered government
limited government
representative government
dictatorial government
If no one person receives a majority of electoral votes for President, who chooses the President?
the House of Representatives
the US Senate
the Ohio Senate
the Speaker of the House
What determines how many members each state gets to send to the House of Representatives?
the population of each state
the President
the laws of each state
the Senate
What was one of the weaknesses of the AOC?
The AOC placed no limits on the government's powers
Congress could not tax the states without representation
Congress could not raise money from the states or tax
The AOC would not allow Britain to make war
What power did the USCON grant Congress that was not provided for in the AOC?
the power to tax
the power to regulate naval forces
the power to impeach
the power to veto
On which point did the Virginia and New Jersey plans disagree?
whether or not delegates should take an oath of loyalty
whether or not Congress should have the power to make treaties
how the states should be represented in Congress
who the President should be
Under which of the following situations is evidence inadmissible in court?
when the evidence was in plain view
when a proper warrant was obtained
when the search took place without probable cause
when the evidence is discovered after an arrest
The right to keep and bear arms is an interpretation of which amendment?
3rd
2nd
8th
1st
Why did the framers leave some sections of the USCON without detail, like an outline?
they wanted to limit the power of the government
they wanted to keep the USCON flexible, allowing for changing times
they did not have time to finish those sections
they did not think details were necessary
Which correctly describes the individual rights guaranteed in the USCON?
unlimited
never in conflict with one another
sometimes limited
absolute
Which is a reason why the Framers decided on a bicameral Congress?
to honor a vote among the colonists
to compromise between the large and small states
to add a House so it could assist the US Senate
to help Ohioans gain the right to vote
The need for probable cause prevents police officers from doing which of the following?
searching a home without a warrant
questioning witnesses to a crime
stopping an armed suspect
arresting someone
What must ALWAYS happen for the Ohio Constitution to be changed?
citizens must sign petitions to send to the Governor
the voters of Ohio must approve all amendments
the Ohio General Assembly must approve all amendments
the Ohio Supreme Court must approve all amendments
What is Ohio's legislature called?
Congress
General Assembly
State Diet
State Imperial Governorship
Where are divorce and child custody cases heard?
Juvenile Court
General Court
Common Pleas Court
Domestic Court
The name "Scioto" comes from a Native-American word meaning what?
bear
river
lake
deer
Scioto County is governed by a Board of
Sheriff's Deputies
Coroner's Accomplices
City Council
Commissioners
What elected official is in charge of law enforcement for our county and runs the county jail?
Mayor
Trustee
Sheriff
Jail Bird
Which elected officials are responsible for hiring administrators to run a school system, set the school's curriculum, and hire and fire employees?
Township Trustees
School Board Members
Principal
County Commissioners
Which elected officials take care of township roads and bridges, fire protection and EMS, remove snow and ice from roads, and provide other services?
School Board
Township Trustees
Sheriff
County Auditor
Which official files charges against criminals and represents Scioto County and the State of Ohio in criminal court cases?
Solicitor
Sheriff
Auditor
Prosecutor/Prosecuting Attorney
Which county office investigates cases of child abuse and neglect and places children in foster care?
Sheriff
Children's Services
Fire Department
Health Department
What county official makes sure government funds are spent properly, assess the value of property for tax purposes, and checks weights and measures in Scioto County?
Sheriff
Coroner
Auditor
Trustee
