wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

The Declaration of Independence

Total questions: 80

Worksheet time: 39mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
Benjamin Franklin
b)
Samuel Adams
c)
Thomas Jefferson
d)
Paul Revere
2.
The Preamble is...
a)
in the beginning of the Declaration...
b)
the conclusion.
c)
in the middle.
d)
not in the Declaration.
3.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what truth was "self-evident"?
a)
All men are created equal
b)
Rights are given by good kings
c)
Government exists to protect us from ourselves
d)
Only a democracy can protect our rights
4.
The words self-evident means what?
a)
confusing
b)
obvious
c)
wrong
d)
self-aware
5.
What are our natural rights according to Jefferson?  (He got the idea from John Locke, but he changed the last right.)
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, and press
b)
Life, liberty, and property
c)
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
d)
Voting, rebelling, and health
6.
Why was the Declaration of Independence written?
a)
To stop taxes from the British Empire.
b)
To make a United States army.
c)
To gain independence from the British Empire
d)
To install their own king in America
7.
The List of Grievances were the part of the Declaration that
a)
detailed the colonists' complaints with King George.
b)
listed a man's natural rights.
c)
introduced the Declaration.
d)
concluded the Declaration, declaring America a free country.
8.
Why is July 4, 1776 an important date in U.S. history?
a)
Common Sense was published.
b)
The Olive Branch Petition sent to King George III.
c)
The American Revolution ends.
d)
The Declaration of Independence is signed.
9.
To Great Britain, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was
a)
an act of loyalty.
b)
an act of treason.
c)
an act of bravery.
d)
an act of insanity.
10.
According to the Declaration of Independence who gives us our rights? 
a)
given by God at birth 
b)
given by our government 
c)
given by our president 
d)
given by our parents 
11.
Which of the following was a purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
to unite the colonies against Britain
b)
to list the reasons that justified leaving Britain
c)
both of these
d)
neither of these
12.
The Declaration of Independence states the purpose of government is 
a)
to tax and control finances
b)
to provide rules for the people
c)
to regulate trade 
d)
to serve the people
13.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what was an “unalienable right” that all governments should protect?
a)
The right to social equality
b)
The right to elect government officials
c)
The right to religious equality
d)
The right to personal liberty
14.
Which statement best describes the role of government according to the Declaration of Independence?
a)
“The main purpose of government is to expand and glorify the state”
b)
“The main purpose of government is to protect the unalienable rights of individuals”
c)
“The main purpose of government is to protect the rights and privileges of His Majesty, the King”
d)
“The main purpose of government is to promote the general welfare of the community by taking steps toward social equality”
15.
Thomas Jefferson was inspired by a famous man of the Enlightenment.  His name was...?
a)
William Penn
b)
Roger Sherman
c)
John Locke
d)
Robert Livingston
16.
When Thomas Jefferson copied John Locke's ideas about the social contract, what did he say the people had the right to do to a government who was not protecting the people's rights?
a)
Write a letter
b)
Suggest how it could be better
c)
Wait until they started to respect the people's rights
d)
Abolish it
17.
What are the three inalienable rights that all people have?
a)
Food, Shelter, and Clothing
b)
Life, Liberty and Death
c)
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
18.
What was the date that the Declaration of Independence was signed?
a)
July 4, 1776
b)
July 2, 1776
c)
July 4, 1787
d)
July 2, 1775
19.
What country did The United States declare independence from?
a)
Britain
b)
France
c)
Spain
d)
Belgium
20.
The Declaration states that all men are created ___________.
a)
Just
b)
Equal
c)
the same
d)
Free
21.
According to the Declaration,  what causes a government to be just? 
a)
powerful institutions
b)
a Bill of Rights 
c)
ease of altering 
d)
Consent of the people being governed
22.
The Declaration of Independence states, “That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it.” Which Enlightened idea do these words describe?
a)
need to ensure a representative government.
b)
social contract between government and the people.
c)
revolutionary intent to overthrow the current government.
d)
return to a society that has no central authority.
23.

Why did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?

a)

to persuade the colonies to declare independence

b)

to persuade the colonies to remain loyal

c)

to praise British nobility

d)

to praise king George III

24.

According to Thomas Paine, who or what was the greatest enemy of American liberty

a)

The King

b)

Immigrants

c)

Parliament

d)

Aristocrats

25.
What idea is found in the declaration of independence?
a)
That all men are born with rights that cannot be taken away by a government
b)
That the British has the greatest military power on earth
c)
That the king is a tyrant who made American independence necessary
d)
That economic equality would inspire future generations of Americans. 
26.
What did the term natural rights mean to Thomas Jefferson and other members of the second continental congress?
a)
Rights that are given to nobles and rulers
b)
Rights that are given to certain citizens
c)
Rights that all men are born with
d)
Rights that are given by a congress
27.
After declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776, what major obstacle did Americans have to overcome to gain independence?
a)
Finding an experienced general to lead the army
b)
 Uniting all thirteen colonies
c)
Defeating the greatest military power in the world
28.

Why are governments created?

a)

prepare countries for war

b)

to protect the rights of people

c)

to strengthen a countries' power

d)

to make a country rich

29.

The meeting to discuss problems with Great Britain was called:

a)

Bunker Hill

b)

the First Continental Congress

c)

Proclamation of 1763

d)

Boston Tea Party

30.

What European philosopher helped influence the Declaration?

a)

John Smith

b)

Alexander Hamilton

c)

John Locke

d)

Ben Franklin

31.

What does the preamble say?

a)

what rights they should have

b)

why they are writing the Declaration

c)

everything King George III has done wrong

d)

who the colonists will elect president

32.

John Adams of the Second Continental Congress recommended _____________ ____________ as the General of the Continental Army

a)

George Washington

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

Henry Knox

d)

Thomas Edison

33.

When George Washington took command of the Continental Army, these were two of the issues he face.

a)

A lack of knowledge of the colonies

b)

Too many horses

c)

Lack of Artillery

d)

Low Gunpowder

34.

These were the group of colonists that rejected British rule and wanted to break ties with Great Britain

a)

Tom Brady

b)

Loyalists

c)

Whigs

d)

Patriots

35.

These American colonists were loyal to the British crown during the American Revolutionary War.

a)

Tom Brady

b)

Loyalists

c)

Whigs

d)

Patriots

36.

Which of the following are inalienable/natural rights of all American citizens in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Life

b)

Liberty

c)

Pursuit of Happiness

d)

All of the Above.

37.

Thomas Jefferson believed that ______________ were formed to secure these natural/alienable rights.

a)

Monarchies

b)

Kings

c)

Strict Laws

d)

Governments

38.

If a government does not protect the people's inalienable/natural rights, the people have the right to _______________ it for a new government that supports their rights.

a)

Abolish

b)

Trade

c)

Exchange

d)

Boycott

39.

On July 2nd, 1776, the Second Continental Congress delayed the signing of the Declaration of Independence due to this conflict.

a)

Funding

b)

Slavery

c)

Lack of Ink

d)

George Washington being absent

40.

What did the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence tell about?

a)

The colonists feel that they must explain to the world that there should be "No Taxation Without Representation."

b)

The colonists introduce this document to the British Parliament

c)

The colonists feel that they must explain to the world the reasons why they are separating from Britain.

d)

Colonists describe the 27 wrongs done upon them by King George III

41.

The Declaration of Independence borrowed from ideas in many other documents.

a)

True

b)

False

42.
Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
a)
New York, NY
b)
Washington, D.C.
c)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
d)
Boston, Massachusetts
43.
Approximately 25% of Thomas Jefferson's draft was removed before it was adopted, including all references to what?
a)
slavery
b)
taxation
c)
military fighting
d)
God
44.
The King was accused of interfering with the trade of the colonies.
a)
False
b)
True
45.
How many grievances were listed in the Declaration of Independence?
a)
10
b)
54
c)
62
d)
27
46.
Who was the first person to sign the Declaration?
a)
Thomas Jefferson
b)
John Hancock
c)
Ben Franklin
d)
George Washington
47.
Who were the men that signed the Declaration?
a)
The members of the Second Continental Congress
b)
The Sons of Liberty
c)
The men who wanted to be president
d)
Important men from Boston
48.
Writing the Declaration of Independence made the Colonists free as soon as it was signed.
a)
True
b)
False
49.
What was the Declaration of Independence all about?
a)
For America and Britain to become allies
b)
For Britain to become part of Germany
c)
To proclaim that America's 13 Colonies were no longer part of the British Empire
d)
For America to take over Britain
50.

According to John Locke, these are given by God and cannot be taken by the government. The protection of these is the purpose of the government.

a)

divine rights

b)

systemic rights

c)

natural rights

d)

preternatural rights

51.

Clearly true and needing no proof

a)

self-evident

b)

endowed

c)

secure

d)

unalienable

52.

made

a)

powers

b)

created

c)

secure

d)

pursuit of

53.

given

a)

just

b)

created

c)

the governed

d)

endowed

54.

God

a)

the governed

b)

Creator

c)

created

d)

powers

55.

unable to take away

a)

self-evident

b)

endowed

c)

instituted

d)

unalienable

56.

search for

a)

pursuit of

b)

deriving

c)

consent

d)

alter

57.

to keep safe

a)

secure

b)

abolish

c)

consent

d)

effect

58.

started; established

a)

deriving

b)

instituted

c)

alter

d)

just

59.

getting or receiving

a)

self-evident

b)

secure

c)

abolish

d)

deriving

60.

fair

a)

just

b)

effect

c)

unalienable

d)

powers

61.

rights to control and command

a)

instituted

b)

powers

c)

alter

d)

the governed

62.

permission; the act of allowing

a)

just

b)

secure

c)

effect

d)

consent

63.

the people of a nation

a)

the governed

b)

powers

c)

self-evident

d)

secure

64.

to change

a)

secure

b)

effect

c)

alter

d)

created

65.

to get rid of; destroy

a)

endowed

b)

Creator

c)

abolish

d)

unalienable

66.

to bring about, make happen

a)

effect

b)

instituted

c)

just

d)

secure

67.

How many days did it take Thomas Jefferson to write the 1st draft of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

11 days

b)

3 days

c)

17 days

d)

21 days

68.

Congress appointed a committee of men to develop an explanation for their independence. Select all of them.

a)

Robert Livingston

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

Benjamin Franklin

d)

John Adams

e)

Roger Sherman

69.

How many parts are there to the Declaration of Independence?

a)

3

b)

4

c)

5

d)

6

70.

What is the 3rd part of the Declaration of Independence called?

a)

Declaration of Natural Rights

b)

List of Grievances

c)

Preamble

d)

Resolution of Independence by the United States

71.

What is the 2nd part of the Declaration of Independence called?

a)

List of Grievances

b)

Preamble

c)

Declaration of Natural Rights

d)

Resolution of Independence by the United States

72.

Which 2 people influenced Jefferson the most when writing the Declaration?

a)

Benjamin Franklin

b)

George Mason

c)

Thomas Paine

d)

John Locke

73.

When should a government be changed or altered?

a)

when the government moves to another country

b)

when the government becomes destructive

c)

when the government is taken over by another country

d)

when the government protects its citizens

74.

What word does Jefferson use to show the King as an absolute tyrant?

a)

Democracy

b)

Monarchy

c)

Anarchy

d)

Despotism

75.

How do the colonists show their commitment to the Declaration?

a)

they pledge their lives, fortune, and sacred honor to each other

b)

they give all of their money to the government

c)

they join the miltary

d)

they move out of the country

76.

What has the King imposed without the consent of the colonies?

a)

freedom

b)

land

c)

taxes

d)

food

77.

What has been "deprived" from colonists on many occasions?

a)

land

b)

equal rights

c)

freedom

d)

trial by jury

78.

Where does government get its power?

a)

the president

b)

Congress

c)

consent of the governed (the people)

d)

God

79.

What word shows that their mistreatment has been ongoing?

a)

usurpations

b)

"repeated injuries"

c)

despotism

d)

unalienable

80.

What is Ms. Adler's daughter's name?

a)

Maria

b)

Malia

c)

Malala

d)

Madison

Similar Resources on Wayground

Fall Final Review

75 questions

Fall Final Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Mr. Day's Constitution Practice

81 questions

Mr. Day's Constitution Practice

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th - 12th Grade

Founding Documents

75 questions

Founding Documents

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Civil War & Reconstruction

81 questions

Civil War & Reconstruction

quiz

Worksheet

•

5th - 12th Grade

KPREP Social Studies

84 questions

KPREP Social Studies

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

US 8 Midterm Study Guide

79 questions

US 8 Midterm Study Guide

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

Animal Farm Vocabulary Chapters 1-10

80 questions

Animal Farm Vocabulary Chapters 1-10

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th Grade

The War of 1812

75 questions

The War of 1812

quiz

Worksheet

•

7th - 8th Grade