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Worksheets8th grade ss FAll Benchmark
Total questions: 194
Worksheet time: 7hrs 18mins
The Executive Branch...
enforces laws
makes laws
interprets laws
challenges laws
The branch of the U.S. government that makes the laws is the _____ Branch.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Federal
A government that is “by the people” and favors people’s rights is a ______.
republic
monarchy
democracy
dictatorship
The ________ Branch interprets laws and settles national disputes.
Legislative
Executive
Federal
Judicial
The Middle Passage was
Route that transported slaves from Africa to America
Route that transported rum and molasses from Caribbean to Africa
Route that transported manufactured goods from Europe to America
Route that transported materials from colonial America to Africa
How did geography influence the early economic development of New York, Boston, and Charleston?
Long coastlines offered abundant natural resources.
Proximity to flooding rivers limited development.
Natural harbors provided access to markets.
Extreme climates limited productive activity.
*Quartering Act
*Stamp Act
These acts contributed to the start of the Revolutionary War by...
Declaration of Independence, 1776
This excerpt refers to the rights that people -
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted the Great Compromise to settle differences over
slavery
representation in Congress
interstate trade
Congress
[The Constitution] is a [proposal] as [big a change] as [the document] which separated us from Great Britain (i.e. the Declaration of Independence). [It is such a major change because it has the following effect]; our rights and privileges are endangered [by the new Constitution], and the [power] of the states will be [given up] . . . The rights of [free thought], trial by jury, liberty of the press . . . are [placed in danger].
--Patrick Henry
According to the document, Why does Patrick Henry oppose the Constitution?
The Constitution is too big of a change from the government under Great Britain.
The Constitution threatens the power of the states.
The Constitution gives too much free thought and liberty of the press.
The Constitution doesn’t provide too much power to the states.
Which principle of government was advocated by Charles de Montesquieu?
Individual rights are best protected by a strong central government.
Britain was too far away to govern its colonies in North America effectively.
Governmental power should be divided among separate branches to prevent tyranny.
The King should be subject to the authority of Parliament.
How did free speech and freedom of the press help Americans to create a new form of government in 1787?
They caused Loyalists to flee to British Canada after the Revolution.
They encouraged Federalists and Anti-Federalists to exchange their views before ratifying the Constitution.
They forced the Constitutional Convention to keep its deliberations secret.
They prevented the new Constitution from ever being ratified.
*Enables ordinary citizens to criticize the government without fear.
* Enables legislators to propose changes and debate ideas. *Enables candidates to challenge opponents in office.
Which right is described by the characteristics above?
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Press
Freedom of Religion
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 had experienced living under a government by the British king. This experience led the framers of the U.S. Constitution to —
establish a national church with government support
give citizens the right to use arms against the federal government
limit the federal government by giving it only specific powers
decrease the powers of state governments in favor of the federal government
Which idea from the Articles of Confederation is also found in the U.S. Constitution?
The national government must have the power to raise its own taxes and have its own standing army.
Three branches of government are needed so that each branch can provided a check on the actions of the other branches.
The powers of the national government must be limited to prevent it from threatening the rights of individuals.
All people regardless of wealth must be given the right to vote in elections.
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world …. [He has quartered] large bodies of armed troops among us ….
— Declaration of Independence (1776)
Which provision of the Bill of Rights addressed this grievance?
First Amendment
Second Amendment
Third Amendment
Fourth Amendment
This sequence of events below resulted in the adoption of the —
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Treaty of Paris
Declaration of Independence
In 1787 the United States was at a crossroads. Farmers in western Massachusetts had rebelled the year before over property taxes. The state struggled to end the rebellion. Events such as this one contributed to the decision to?
sign the Treaty of Paris
repeal the Intolerable Acts
declare an embargo on imported goods
restructure the federal government
Which of the following correctly describes the Three-Fifths Compromise?
A portion of the slave population was counted for legislative representation.
A federal law enforcing the return of fugitive slaves was passed.
The census bureau was established to help apportion representation.
The election of senators was delegated to state legislatures.
Which of the following should replace the question mark in this diagram below?
Direct democracy
Great Compromise
Checks and balances
Missouri Compromise
Which speaker below is in favor of ratifying the Constitution?
Speaker 1
Speaker 2
Speaker 3
Speaker 4
In the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which point would have been made by a Federalist?
“The existing national government lacks the ability to add new states to the union.”
“The states are in danger of losing the ability to raise revenue.”
“The existing national government lacks the power to perform essential functions.”
“The states are unable to protect the rights of the people.”
Why did the Anti-Federalists demand that a bill of rights be added to the U.S. Constitution?
To strengthen the authority of the federal government.
To improve the organization of the judiciary.
To give each state an equal amount of power.
To protect individual freedoms from the federal government.
Which political idea was influenced by this provision of the Magna Carta below?
Federalism
Due process
A bicameral legislature
The social contract
Which U.S. document guarantees protection against these injustices below?
The Constitution
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
The Mayflower Compact
With which of the following arguments would the authors of The Federalist Papers most likely have agreed?
A bill of rights should be included in the Constitution before it is ratified.
Having a stronger central government will make the country more stable and prosperous.
The Three-Fifths Compromise will result in fair and equal representation.
Universal suffrage should be constitutionally guaranteed.
Which document was the focus of this box below?
The Mayflower Compact
The Articles of Confederation
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation allowed each state only one vote in Congress. Which question reflects a major concern states had about this arrangement?
Should states attempt to resolve conflicting claims to territory?
Should states change their procedure for selecting representatives?
Should unanimous state approval for national laws be required?
Should more populous states receive greater representation?
This provision is a response to which grievance from the Declaration of Independence?
“For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever . . .”
“For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government . . .”
“He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records.”
“He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners.”
This excerpt below provides one example of which constitutional principle?
Federalism
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
Individual rights
Which right best completes the diagram below?
The right to bear arms.
Freedom to speak without fear of punishment.
Protection from cruel and unusual punishment.
Freedom of the press to report on court proceedings.
Which principle of U.S. government is most clearly reflected in the amendment below?
Checks and balances
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Due process
Which principle of U.S. government is illustrated in the sequence shown below?
Judicial review
Checks and balances
Popular sovereignty
Federalism
The Twelfth Amendment established a new process for choosing a president and a vice president. The purpose of this amendment was to?
prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch.
ease the eligibility requirements for holding federal office.
keep state officials from exerting undue influence on presidential elections.
reduce the likelihood of disputed outcomes in presidential elections.
The Constitution describes two ways to propose an amendment. Which of the following gives an example of one way?
The president officially requests that Congress propose the amendment.
Three-fourths of state governors sign a petition in favor of proposing the amendment.
A majority of citizens vote in favor of proposing the amendment.
Two-thirds of both congressional houses vote in favor of proposing the amendment.
During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, George Mason argued?
against increased power for the national government.
for the dissolution of state governments.
against the passage of a bill of rights.
for the creation of a strong executive branch.
Patrick Henry was criticizing which aspect of the Constitution in this excerpt below?
The eligibility requirements for congressional office.
The power granted to the central government.
The establishment of a separate judicial branch.
The difficulty of the amendment process.
Those in favor of ratifying the Constitution would most likely respond to this concern by pointing out that?
elected representatives are accountable to individual voters.
courts have the right to resolve disputes between states.
each branch of government can serve as a check on the other branches.
power is divided between the federal government and state governments.
Those in favor of ratifying the Constitution would most likely respond to this concern by pointing out that?
elected representatives are accountable to individual voters.
courts have the right to resolve disputes between states.
each branch of government can serve as a check on the other branches.
power is divided between the federal government and state governments.
George Mason refused to sign the Constitution and opposed its ratification because he believed that it?
did not adequately protect individuals from potential government abuse.
B did not give the executive branch enough power to oversee the military.
prevented the legislative branch from effectively governing the states.
D prevented the judicial branch from using judicial review to overturn acts of the legislature.
George Mason refused to sign the Constitution and opposed its ratification because he believed that it?
did not adequately protect individuals from potential government abuse.
B did not give the executive branch enough power to oversee the military.
prevented the legislative branch from effectively governing the states.
D prevented the judicial branch from using judicial review to overturn acts of the legislature.
Which amendment provides for the protections described in this list below?
First Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Tenth Amendment
Which constitutional guarantee did this act violate?
Freedom of assembly
The right to due process
Freedom of the press
The right to a jury trial
The constitutional amendment excerpted below protects people in the United States from?
excessive fines for traffic violations.
imprisonment for life without a jury trial.
excessive surveillance by the government.
conscription by the armed forces.
The constitutional amendment excerpted below protects people in the United States from?
excessive fines for traffic violations.
imprisonment for life without a jury trial.
excessive surveillance by the government.
conscription by the armed forces.
When citizens report for jury duty, they are helping uphold a constitutional right guaranteed by the?
First Amendment
Second Amendment
Sixth Amendment
Ninth Amendment
Which headline provides the best example of a civic duty?
A
B
C
D
Which document was most influenced by this statute below?
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
The Bill of Rights
Which of these is a guarantee in the First Amendment?
States have the power to regulate public education.
People can choose whether and how to participate in religious services.
Persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Citizens have the right to be judged by a jury of their peers.
A certain small town has many choices for people who want to attend religious services, including two churches, a synagogue, a cathedral, a mosque, and a temple. These choices are protected by the?
First Amendment
Third Amendment
Sixth Amendment
Eighth Amendment
Which headline provides the best example of a First Amendment guarantee in action?
“Religious University Forced to Close by State”.
“Mormons Hold State Convention Downtown”.
“Congress Declares a National Day of Remembrance”.
“Protesters Arrested at Antiwar Rally”
This event below best demonstrates which feature of the American way of life?
The First Amendment guarantees personal freedoms.
The Declaration of Independence asserts the principle of popular sovereignty.
The U.S. Constitution establishes the structure of the federal government.
The Fifth Amendment protects the rights of the accused.
Why were southern delegates to the Constitutional Convention willing to accept the Three-Fifths Compromise?
It increased the political influence in the South
It allowed indentured servants in the South to become citizens
It decreased the federal tax on property in the South
It allowed the South to expand its industrial output.
What assurance did this argument above give to those who opposed ratifying the Constitution.
The amendment process would allow state governments to nullify federal law.
Making the federal governments superior to state governments would ensure greater stability.
The rights of citizens would be better protected by having both federal and state levels of governments.
Giving greater power to the federal governments would allow it to assist states in times of crisis.
Why was it difficult for Congress to fulfill its duties under the Articles of Confederation?
Any congressional action required executive approval.
Congress lacked the power to declare war.
Most congressional decisions required the approval of at least nine states.
Congress lacked the power to regulate foreign trade.
Which argument would a Federalist make to support ratification of the Constitution.
The Constitution will enable states to nullify laws that are harmful to citizens.
A strong federal government will be more stable than a loose confederation of states.
The Constitution will allow states to establish banks to stabilize the national economy.
A republican system of government will better represent large states.
This diagram shows some of the steps in becoming a?
Registered voter in the United States.
Member of the U.S. armed forces.
Candidate for elected office in the Unites States.
Naturalized U.S. citizen
Which sentence completes this diagram?
People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves.
Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inficted.
Warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established.
A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial.
Which amendment prohibits federal and state governments from carrying these actions above?
The First Amendment
The Second Amendment
The Fifth Amendment
The Tenth Amendment
Religious Tolerance
A group of people gathered together in one place for a common purpose.
Allowing other people to think or practice other religions and beliefs.
A written grant by a country's or sovereign power.
The systematic mistreatment of an individual or group of individuals as a response to their religious beliefs
Social Contract
An unofficial agreement shared by everyone in a society in which they give up some freedom for security.
A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
To name or assign to a position, an office, or the like.
Often known as the triangular trade, connected the economies of three continents.
plantation system
agricultural expansion
colonization
Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mercantilism
State sponsored settlement of people to new territories.
Political system where policies are created by representatives selected by the people.
A geographic area that share similar
characteristics.
Economic theory where colonies serve as a source of raw materials to increase the wealth and maintain a favorable balance of trade for the “mother” country.
Grievance
Refusal to buy something as a form of protest.
A complaint or protest, especially unfair treatment by a government.
Changing from one governmental structure to another.
Process of collecting money from citizens in order to fund government expenses.
Refusal to buy something as a form of protest.
consent
civil disobedience
due process
boycott
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.
consent
provisions
ratification
veto
Consent
The action or process of recognizing or being recognized.
Successful in material terms; flourishing financially.
Something steady that is not prone to change.
Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
Articles of Confederation
The original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.
The first governing document of Plymouth Colony.
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791.
An executive order issued on January 1, 1863, by President Lincoln freeing slaves in all portions of the United States not then under Union control.
Was a 1794 uprising of farmers and distillers in Western Pennsylvania in protest of a whiskey tax enacted by the federal government
political parties
Federalists
embargo
Whiskey Rebellion
What is the definition of the Magna Carta?
IDK
Everyone including the rulers must follow the laws
The document that the U.S. made before the constitutions
The colonies declaring their independence from the British
Who was leading the British Army?
Charles Cornwall
Charles Cornwallis
Robert E. Lee
George Washington
Who was John Locke? (Select 2)
A Doctor
A Philosopher
A Minister
A Political Scientist
Locke argued that we had 3 main natural rights. What are they? (Select 3)
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness
Property
What was act passed by the British parliament in 1756 that raised revenue from the American colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercial documents?
stamp act
tea act
quartering act
Define 1607
Date first successful English settlement in North America was founded; Jamestown
Establishing new settlements in new lands – many times to extend power and claim territories
To improve your way of life with opportunities to earn more; many came to New World to escape
poverty
To search or travel for the purpose of discovering new lands
Define Colonization
Date first successful English settlement in North America was founded; Jamestown
Establishing new settlements in new lands – many times to extend power and claim territories
To improve your way of life with opportunities to earn more; many came to New World to escape
poverty
To search or travel for the purpose of discovering new lands
Define Economic Opportunity
Date first successful English settlement in North America was founded; Jamestown
Establishing new settlements in new lands – many times to extend power and claim territories
To improve your way of life with opportunities to earn more; many came to New World to escape
poverty
To search or travel for the purpose of discovering new lands
Define Exploration
Date first successful English settlement in North America was founded; Jamestown
Establishing new settlements in new lands – many times to extend power and claim territories
To improve your way of life with opportunities to earn more; many came to New World to escape
poverty
To search or travel for the purpose of discovering new lands
Define Fundamental Order of Connecticut
Established self-government; basis of CT. government
Motivation for exploration in the new world
First successful English settlement in North America; founded in 1607
Governing document of Plymouth Colony; determined a system of self-government
Define God, gold & glory
Established self-government; basis of CT. government
Motivation for exploration in the new world
First successful English settlement in North America; founded in 1607
Governing document of Plymouth Colony; determined a system of self-government
Define Religious freedom
Early settlers of Plymouth Colony; came to new world seeking religious freedom
Motive for many settlers to come to new world; ability to worship as you chose
The powers of government are delegated to elected representatives
The ability to move from one social class to another
Define Representative government
Early settlers of Plymouth Colony; came to new world seeking religious freedom
Motive for many settlers to come to new world; ability to worship as you chose
The powers of government are delegated to elected representatives
The ability to move from one social class to another
Define Virginia House of Burgesses
Individuals free to produce, sell,& buy whatever they can afford; prices set by supply & demand
Economic system- controlled trade benefits the “Mother Country”; colonists expected to sell their raw products to Britain at low prices
The original settlements colonized on the East Coast; rebelled against British authority
First elected representative assembly in the colonies, self government
Define Thirteen Colonies
Individuals free to produce, sell,& buy whatever they can afford; prices set by supply & demand
Economic system- controlled trade benefits the “Mother Country”; colonists expected to sell their raw products to Britain at low prices
The original settlements colonized on the East Coast; rebelled against British authority
First elected representative assembly in the colonies, self government
Where was Christopher Columbus trying to go when he sailed the Ocean Blue in 1492?
India and China
Russia and China
the edge of the earth
around Africa 🌍
Mercantilism was an economic system that was created for
free Republics to buy and sell goods all over.
Kings and Queens to hide their treasures.
colonies to get rich, rich, rich!
the mother country to get rich from raw materials of a colony.
The Spanish were motivated to explore and colonize by three factors
Christmas, Easter, and Summer Vaca
God, Gold, and Glory
Rice, Ropes, and Rhinestones
Friends, Furs, and Fish 🐠
The Northwest Passage was a route explorers hoped to find to
get to India and China across the top of Canada
find gold and riches
find underwater treasures
get around South America faster
Which country had the largest group of immigrants ?
Spain
France
Sweden
England
Which European countries were competing to control spice trade?
United States, France, and England
Spain, France, and England
Mexico, England, and France
Mexico, United States, and Canada
The process of creating new settlements or places is called -
Expedition
Exploration
Colonization
Immigration
Which of the following was a social reason to explore North America?
Look for gold and riches
Control the spice trade
Expand the empire
Spread the Christian religion
Which economic reason led to French exploration of North America?
Find gold and riches
Fur trade
Enslave the Indians
Convert the Native Americans
Gold, God, and Glory ....
Reasons to explore North America
Reasons to explore route to Asia
Effects of slavery on Native Americans
Effects of European exploration
Which European country explored and established 13 colonies along the East coast of the United States?
Spain
France
England
Canada
Desire to increase the size of their empire
The invention of the astrolabe and compass
A new ship was invented.
In which year was the Constitutional Convention held?
1776
1787
1789
1783
*Involved Methodists, Baptists and other Protestant groups.
*Emphasized the ability of each person to achieve salvation.
*Held large, outdoor mass meetings.
*Saw social reform as part of God’s plan.
What would be the best title for this list?
Main characteristics of Abolitionism
Aspects of the Second Great Awakening
The Rise of Sectionalism
Emergence of Labor Unions
1. Articles of Confederation approved
2. Declaration of Independence signed
3. U.S. Constitution ratified
4. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut adopted
Put in chronological order.
1,4,2,3
4,2,1,3
1,2,4,3
3,1,2,4
1. English colony established at Jamestown.
2. Fighting breaks out at Lexington and Concord.
3. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut adopted.
4. Pilgrims land at Plymouth.
5.First Great Awakening begins.
5, 1, 4, 2, 3
1, 4, 3, 5, 2
1, 2, 5, 4, 3
5, 3, 1, 4, 2
