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Worksheets

2019 MYA Civics Review

Total questions: 85

Worksheet time: 3hrs 46mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Guarantees the right to a speedy, impartial public trial in criminal cases with counsel and the right to cross examine.

a)

6th

b)

7th

c)

9th

d)

10th

2.

Rights not listed in other amendments are not necessarily listed in the Bill of Rights.

a)

3rd

b)

4th

c)

5th

d)

9th

3.

Prohibits excessive bail or fines or cruel or unusual punishment

a)

3rd

b)

5th

c)

7th

d)

8th

4.

Guarantees the right to bear arms.

a)

1st

b)

2nd

c)

7th

d)

8th

5.

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.

a)

2nd

b)

3rd

c)

4th

d)

7th

6.

Asserts that powers not delegated to the national government or denied to the states are reserved to the states.

a)

2nd

b)

8th

c)

9th

d)

10th

7.

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in homes in peacetime.

a)

1st

b)

3rd

c)

5th

d)

6th

8.

Guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and the right to petition government.

a)

1st

b)

4th

c)

9th

d)

10th

9.

Why does the U.S. Supreme Court continue to debate the constitutionality of the death penalty?

a)

Citizens are protected from unreasonable search and seizure

b)

Citizens are protected from cruel and unusual punishment.

c)

Citizens are protected against double jeopardy.

d)

Citizens are protected against unfair trials

10.

Which constitutional principle is applied when police inform suspects of their rights?

a)

due process of law

b)

Eminent domain

c)

double jeopardy

d)

trial by jury

11.

Which of the following is a Fifth Amendment protection?

a)

guarantee of due process and protection against self-incrimination

b)

no cruel and unusual punishment

c)

probable cause

d)

trial by jury

12.

Which of the following is allowed under the First Amendment?

a)

Trial by jury

b)

Freedom to petition government officials

c)

Libel

d)

Creation of an official national religion

13.

According to the Supreme Court, what is the meaning of the right to “the Assistance of Counsel for his defence”?

a)

Anyone who cannot afford to pay a lawyer will not be tried

b)

If an accused person cannot afford a lawyer, the government must pay for one.

c)

Men are entitled to be helped by a lawyer, but not women

d)

An accused person can call on the judge for advice

14.

What constitutional right does this image symbolize?

a)

A. speedy trial

b)

A. trial by peers

c)

A. legal representation

d)

A. peaceable assembly

15.

Requires grand jury indictment for a serious crime, bans double jeopardy, no loss of life, liberty or property without due process of law.

a)

5th

b)

7th

c)

9th

d)

10th

16.

Guarantees the right to jury trial in civil suits involving $20.00 or more.

a)

5th

b)

7th

c)

8th

d)

9th

17.

The fourth amendment prevents soldiers, government agents, and police officers from searching your home or taking your property without a(n):

a)

bail

b)

double jeopardy

c)

indictment

d)

search warrant

18.

What is the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that words creating a “clear and present danger” are not protected by the First Amendment?

a)

The Constitution limits individual rights

b)

The Constitution safeguards individual rights

c)

The Constitution does not limit individual rights.

d)

The Constitution does not safeguard individual rights.

19.

How did the U.S. Constitution solve a problem created by the Articles of Confederation?

a)

It avoided the issue of states’ rights

b)

It allowed the states to elect representatives

c)

It prevented the amendment of federal laws

d)

It enabled the federal government to collect taxes

20.

Which of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation led to the government not having any money to pay their debts?

a)

There was no national court system.

b)

Congress was not allowed to collect taxes

c)

There was no single leader or group directed by government

d)

Congress had no power to enforce its laws

21.

Why was it difficult to make changes to the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The British government would not allow it

b)

It did not allow Congress to regulate trade

c)

Any changes needed the approval of all 13 states

d)

Congress had no power to collect taxes

22.

The main weakness of the Articles of Confederation that lead to the struggles of many merchants was the:

a)

Inability to regulate trade

b)

The lack of a strong central government

c)

The inability of the central government to tax

d)

The general disorganization of the government

23.

Which of the following did Congress not have the power to do under the Articles of Confederation?

a)

Pass laws

b)

Hold Fundraisers

c)

Ignore debts

d)

Enforce laws

24.

Which of the following events lead to a decision by the colonies to meet and revise the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The Boston Tea Party

b)

Shay’s Rebellion

c)

The Revolutionary War

d)

The Civil War

25.

The uprising of Massachusetts farmers who did not want to lose their farms to pay for heavy state taxes after the American Revolution was known as

a)

Shays Rebellion

b)

The Boston Tea Party

c)

The Civil Rights Movement

d)

The Constitutional Convention

26.

Ultimately, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation lead to the adoption of:

a)

The Treaty of Paris

b)

The Affordable Care Act

c)

The U.S. Constitution

d)

The Declaration of Independence

27.

The meetings of state delegates in 1787 which lead to the writing of the U.S. Constitution was known as the:

a)

Republican Party

b)

Constitutional Convention

c)

Democratic Party

d)

Senate

28.

Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The Constitution should limit state government

b)

The Constitution should protect fundamental rights

c)

The Constitution should create a strong national government

d)

The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians

29.

Which statement best reflects the views of an Anti-Federalist?

a)

“I demand a new constitution”

b)

“I support ratification”

c)

“I fear a strong government”

d)

“I oppose a bill of rights”

30.

At the Constitutional Convention, the New Jersey plan proposed:

a)

a two-house legislature

b)

a court system

c)

one vote for each state

d)

a chief executive chosen by the legislature.

31.

Which three rights are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

a)

freedom of speech, right to work, right to petition the government.

b)

right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial, right to an education

c)

freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a speedy trial

d)

right to vote, right to work, right to a speedy trial

32.
Which of the following is prevented by the amendment’s requirement that an accused person “shall enjoy a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury”?
a)
juries smaller than 12 people
b)
Trials in Local courts
c)
Secret Trials
d)
Trials without juries
33.
Which amendment does not allow people to deny the right to vote on account of race or color?
a)
13th
b)
14th
c)
15th
d)
16th
34.
The 19th amendment gave which group the right to vote for the first time?
a)
African-Americans
b)
Women
c)
Children
d)
White, land owning males. 
35.
The 24th amendment was important because it eliminated
a)
Poll Tax
b)
Property Tax
c)
Sales Tax
d)
Income Tax
36.

The diagram below describes a cause that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence... Which action completes the diagram?

a)

Colonial agricultural trade increases

b)

Colonial religious devotion increases

c)

Colonial demand for political change increases

d)

Colonial demand for military assistance increases

37.

The passage below was written by Thomas Paine in his 1776 book, Common Sense. Based on this passage, with which complaint against the king from the Declaration of Independence would Thomas Paine agree?

a)

Persecuting immigrant groups

b)

Taking away religious rights

c)

Taking away political rights

d)

Persecuting racial groups

38.

Which characteristic serves as a long-term protection against tyranny and is a foundation of liberty in the United States?

a)

The commerce clause

b)

The elastic clause

c)

The right to trial

d)

The rule of law

39.

The split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to ensure that no one branch has too much power in government is known as:

a)

Checks and Balances

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Democracy

d)

Tyranny

40.

The freedom of people to possess life, liberty and property is referred to as:

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Direct Democracy

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Natural Rights

41.

According to the excerpt, who does the government obtain their just powers from?

a)

The consent of the British

b)

The consent of the Native Americans

c)

The consent of the people being governed

d)

The consent of our allies

42.

According to the excerpt, when do people have the right to abolish, or remove their government and institute a new one?

a)

When it becomes destructive to the rights of the people

b)

Every 300 years or so

c)

Whenever it serves the needs of the people

d)

Whenever it does not do what it is told

43.

Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet entitled _______ ________ which called for colonists to rebel against the British King’s “violent abuse of power”.

a)

Magna Carta

b)

English Bill of Rights

c)

Common Sense

d)

Social Contract

44.

Which enlightenment thinker came up with the principle of separation of powers?

a)

Thomas Hobbes

b)

Thomas Paine

c)

John Locke

d)

Montesquieu

45.

What were colonists protesting when they dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party?

a)

Over-taxation

b)

Under-taxation

c)

Police Brutality

d)

Slavery

46.

How did the Second Continental Congress respond to British policies?

a)

They started the French Indian War

b)

They chose a committee to write the Declaration of Independence

c)

They passed the Tea Act, allowing a British company to import tea to the colonies without paying taxes

d)

They hired Thomas Paine to write Common Sense

47.

Which legislation by Parliament stated its right to pass laws and make decisions for the colonies?

a)

The Declaratory Act

b)

The Proclamation of 1763

c)

The Stamp Act

d)

The Coercive Acts.

48.

How did the English Bill of Rights change the nature of English government?

a)

It made England a direct democracy

b)

It increased the power of the monarch

c)

It made Parliament more powerful than the monarch.

d)

It set the principle of taxing people in return for having rights

49.

What action were the writers and signers of this document taking?

a)

Starting an unlimited government

b)

Creating a social contract

c)

Starting their natural rights

d)

Declaring independence

50.

Which phrase completes the diagram?

a)

Separation of powers

b)

Economic Freedom

c)

Self-Government

d)

Individual Rights.

51.

John Locke wrote that all people were born with certain God-given rights, among them being the freedom of life, liberty, and property. These rights were known as:

a)

The law of the land

b)

The rule of law

c)

The Mayflower Compact

d)

Natural Rights

52.

Thomas Hobbes believed people entered into an agreement known as a _______ ________, in which people agreed to give up some of their freedom and allow themselves to be ruled by government.

a)

Special Agreement

b)

Social Contract

c)

Settlement

d)

Constitution

53.

The Magna Carta is important because it established the principle of _______________.

a)

Rule of Law

b)

Limited Government

c)

Representative Democracy

d)

Direct Democracy

54.

Which document addressed colonial concerns about English policies?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Mayflower Compact

c)

U.S. Constitution

d)

Bill of Rights

55.

What was the significance of the stamp on the newspaper?

a)

It demonstrated that Parliament ignored the colonists’ media communications.

b)

It demonstrated that Parliament controlled the colonists’ press outlets.

c)

It represented the colonists’ opposition to English tax policies.

d)

It represented the colonists’ fulfillment of English tax policies.

56.

What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?

a)

overriding vetoes

b)

appointing judges

c)

declaring laws unconstitutional

d)

refusing to confirm appointments

57.

Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe?

. . . Montesquieu was guided . . . in saying “There can be no liberty where the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or body” . . . he did not mean that these departments ought to have . . . no CONTROL over, the acts of each other.

a)

separation of powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

popular sovereignty

d)

judicial review

58.

Which statement describes a similarity between the state and the federal governments under the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Both levels of government allow for the election of judges.

b)

Both levels of government have the power to ratify treaties.

c)

Both levels of government allow for the collection of taxes.

d)

Both levels of government have the power to appoint ambassadors.

59.

What is the next step in the lawmaking process?

a)

A. The governor signs the bill into law.

b)

A. The bill goes to the Senate for action.

c)

A. The people vote on the bill in an election.

d)

A. The bill goes to the Supreme Court for a hearing.

60.

Which two principles are described in this table?

a)

a. separation of powers and checks and balances

b)

a. separation of powers and popular sovereignty

c)

a. federalism and judicial review

d)

a. federalism and republicanism

61.
Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares an act of Congress unconstitutional?
a)
a.  separation of powers
b)
a.  checks and balances
c)
a.  advice and consent
d)
a.  executive privilege
62.

Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power?

a)

First Amendment

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Preamble

d)

Article I

63.

Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines Judicial power?

a)

Article I

b)

Article II

c)

Article III

d)

Article IV

64.

Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines Executive power?

a)

Article I

b)

Article II

c)

Article III

d)

Article IV

65.

Which list includes roles of the president?

a)

Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief

b)

Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive

c)

Speaker of the House, Chief Executive

d)

Speaker of the House, Chief Justice

66.

Which choice best completes the last box in Row 1?

a)

Chief Justice

b)

City Council

c)

Representative

d)

Senator

67.

Which branch of Government has the power to make laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

d)

Federal

68.

Which branch of Government has the power to enforce laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

d)

Federal

69.

Which branch of Government has the power to interpret laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

d)

Federal

70.

Which service completes the Venn diagram?

a)

regulating taxicabs

b)

creating a police force

c)

regulating savings banks

d)

issuing driver licenses

71.

Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this statement?

a)

separation of powers

b)

individual rights

c)

natural laws

d)

civic virtue

72.

What are the names of the two major political parties in the United States today?

a)

Democratic and Republican

b)

Democratic and Libertarian

c)

Socialist and Republican

d)

Socialist and Libertarian

73.

The statement below is from a political party platform.

We, the workers and our allies, need to take power from the hands of the wealthy few, their corporations, and their political operatives.

Which political party’s position is represented in the statement?

a)

Communist

b)

Democratic

c)

Republican

d)

Socialist

74.

Which spending increase would the Democratic Party likely support?

a)

Homeland Security

b)

Space Exploration

c)

Education

d)

Military

75.

In the modern political system, which issue represents a basic disagreement between Republicans and Democrats?

a)

The responsibilities of government

b)

The frequency of national elections

c)

he legality of the U.S. Constitution

d)

The support for the U.S. military soldier

76.

Which is a constitutional requirement to run for Congress?

a)

U.S permanent resident

b)

At least 25 years old

c)

At least 30 years old

d)

U.S citizen

77.

After serving as a U.S. Senator, Laura decided to run for governor of Florida. Liz, Laura’s opponent, claims in court that Laura is not qualified to run. A judge ruled in Liz’s favor. What is the basis for the lawsuit?

a)

a. Laura has never owned land in Florida

b)

a. Laura is not a Florida resident

c)

a. Laura is not yet 40 years old

d)

a. Laura has never voted

78.

Who do lobbyists represent in their attempts to influence government?

a)

Military officers

b)

Elected Officials

c)

Interest Groups

d)

Circuit Judges

79.

Which example represents the media acting as watchdog?

a)

a. A journalist discovers that an office holder held a hearing.

b)

A journalist discovers that an office holder accepted a bribe

c)

a. A journalist discovers that an office holder decided to retire.

d)

a. A journalist discovers that an office holder voted against a bill.

80.

How might a political action committee influence government?

a)

By reporting court procedures

b)

By making political contributions

c)

By investigating illegal business practices

d)

By raising funds to broadcast campaign advertisements.

81.

Based on the government system in the United States, which individual activity is used to directly influence legislative decisions?

a)

Watching political debates on television

b)

Discussing political issues at work

c)

Collecting opinions for a yearbook

d)

Gathering signatures for a petition

82.

Which type of communication is shown in this poster?

a)

Accurate

b)

Biased

c)

Informational

d)

Propaganda

83.

Which source would give the most accurate information about the views held by an incumbent running for Congress?

a)

Special interest group ratings of that Congress member

b)

A television commercial sponsored by a political party

c)

The voting record of the candidate while in Congress

d)

Flyers sent through the mail by the Candidate

84.

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

85.

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)

Persusasion

c)

Propaganda

d)

Symbolism