wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Government Final Semester 1

Total questions: 158

Worksheet time: 4hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society is known as

a)

sovereignty

b)

territory

c)

government

d)

federalism

2.

In a democratic government, the questions of "how should we govern" and "what should government do" are controlled by

a)

the leaders.

b)

the military.

c)

the people.

3.

In a representative democracy like the United States, the powers of government are

a)

separated among three branches.

b)

combined into one branch.

c)

given to a small group of important people.

4.

Which political theory held that God created the state, and God had given those of "royal birth" the right to rule?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

5.

Which political theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people and that the state exists only to serve the will of the people?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

6.

According to the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of government is to protect

a)

money

b)

human rights

c)

the White House

7.

This document influenced the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

a)

Magna Carta

b)

English Bill of Rights

c)

Mayflower Compact

d)

Common Sense

8.
Loose association of states
a)
Parliament
b)
democracy
c)
monarchy
d)
confederation
9.
This document established self-government in the colonies
a)
Mayflower Compact
b)
Magna Carta
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
English Bill of Rights
10.

Under the Articles of Confederation,

a)

a president carried out the nation’s laws.

b)

a national court system interpreted the nation’s laws.

c)

each state had one vote in the lawmaking house.

11.
The Constitution went into effect in 
a)
1776
b)
1775
c)
1781
d)
1789
12.

What was a major change from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution?

a)

The executive branch and judicial branch were created.

b)

Only the executive branch was created.

13.
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
Ben Franklin
b)
John Adams
c)
Thomas Jefferson
d)
Sam Adams
14.
This person argued that people are born with natural rights that cannot be taken away
a)
Baron de Montesquieu
b)
Thomas Hobbes
c)
John Locke
d)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau Option 4 (optional)
15.
A written plan of government
a)
constitution
b)
confederation
c)
democracy
d)
Natural Rights
16.

A local law

a)

legislation

b)

ordinance

c)

bill

d)

regulation

17.

Which level of government provides for the common defense, conducts foreign policy, and regulates trade?

a)

national

b)

counties

c)

state

d)

cities/towns

18.

Powers not delegated to the national government are reserved for the states or the people.

a)

1st amendment

b)

14th amendment

c)

10th amendment

d)

5th amendment

19.

The _________________ manages/runs K-12 school systems.

a)

Parents

b)

School Committee

c)

Governor

d)

School Board

20.

All of the following are responsibilities of local government EXCEPT

a)

enforce local laws (ordinances)

b)

levy and collect taxes

c)

regulate land use

d)

coin money

21.

All of the following are responsibilities of state government EXCEPT

a)

public health

b)

education

c)

public welfare

d)

provide for the common defense

22.

When there is a disagreement between the state and national governments, which government is supreme?

a)

local

b)

national

c)

state

23.

In preparing a response to a Zombie Apocalypse, local governments would most likely,

a)

send the military to quarantine the city/county

b)

create a public safety plan

c)

close airports

d)

develop a vaccine

24.
Which level of government has the most power?
a)
State 
b)
National 
c)
Local
25.
How is the lawmaking process at the state level different from the national?
a)
Committee Work
b)
Floor Debate
c)
Introduction of Bill
d)
Governor Signs Bill
26.
Which of the following is the only court where a jury might determine the verdict?
a)
General District
b)
Circuit
c)
Court of Appeals
d)
Supreme Court
27.
How are criminal cases different from civil cases?
a)
Criminal cases involve someone who has broken a law.
b)
Criminal Cases involve people who are in a disagreement, usually over money.
28.
During which step is probable cause reviewed in a criminal case?
a)
Accusation
b)
Jail/Bail
c)
Trial
d)
Arraignment
29.
This is the usual device by which new State constitutions are written and older ones are revised.
a)
constitutional conventions
b)
public initiative 
c)
selection by legislations
d)
governor committee
30.
How can voters remove an elected official from office before the completion of his or her regular term?
a)
referendum
b)
initiative
c)
recall
d)
commutation
31.
State constitutions may limit taxes for
a)
interstate commerce
b)
federal property taxes
c)
religious and other nonprofit groups
d)
private purpose only 
32.
The major function of _____ is to determine whether the evidence against a person charged with a crime is sufficient to justify a trial.
a)
the magistrate
b)
prosecuting attorney
c)
petit jury 
d)
grand jury 
33.
To bring charges against or accuse of misconduct.
a)
Impeach
b)
Recall
c)
Insinuate
d)
Challenge
34.
Charges collected on the purchase of goods and services.
a)
Credit
b)
Sales Tax
c)
Income Tax
d)
Excise Tax
35.
A charge on certain good, such as tobacco and alcohol.
a)
SalesTax
b)
Excise Tax
c)
Income Tax
d)
Revenue
36.
An opportunity  for voters to reject a law.
a)
Initiative
b)
Recall
c)
Referendum
d)
Petition
37.
Income for the government collected from several sources.
a)
Inmome Tax
b)
Expenditures
c)
Public Policy
d)
Revenue
38.
The Charge on the funds earned by individuals and businesses.
a)
Income Tax
b)
Excise Tax
c)
Sales Tax
d)
Entertainment Tax
39.
Tax on land and buildings.
a)
Excise Tax
b)
Property Tax
c)
Income Tax
d)
Sales Tax
40.
Method of choosing state judges.
a)
Selected by state Judiciary Committee
b)
Elected
c)
Appointed by the Governor
d)
Courts pick replacement judges
41.

Which branch of government makes laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

42.

Which branch of government enforces the laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

43.

Which branch of government upholds and reviews the law?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

44.

Which of the following branches has veto power?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

45.

Which of the following branches determines the constitutionality of laws?

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

46.

Which of the following levels of government is responsible for regulating immigration?

a)

Federal

b)

State

c)

Local

47.

Which of the following levels of government is responsible for setting up and maintaining a public school system?

a)

Federal

b)

State

c)

Local

48.

Which of the following levels of government is responsible for setting up fire and police departments?

a)

Federal

b)

State

c)

Local

49.

How long is a US senator's term?

a)

2 years

b)

4 years

c)

6 years

d)

8 years

50.

How long is a US representative's term?

a)

2 years

b)

4 years

c)

6 years

d)

8 years

51.

How many US senators are there?

a)

25

b)

50

c)

75

d)

100

52.

How many US Representatives are there?

a)

100

b)

250

c)

386

d)

435

53.
Formally declares war.
a)
Judicial Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Legislative Branch
d)
All 3 branches
54.
Representation in the House of Representatives is based on _________?
a)
state population
b)
equal representation 
c)
popular vote
55.
How many justices serve on the Supreme Court?
a)
5
b)
7
c)
9
56.
In what month do we vote for president?
a)
November
b)
October
c)
January
d)
May
57.
What are the first 3 words of the Constitution?
a)
"To the King"
b)
"We the People"
c)
"As it's written"
58.
What kind of government does the United States have?
a)
Representative Democracy
b)
Direct Democracy
c)
Monarchy
59.
Who is in charge of the federal level of government?
a)
Chief Justice
b)
Senate
c)
President
60.
What is an amendment?
a)
A change to the Constitution
b)
To formally approve
c)
A gathering of Senators
61.
What does ratify mean?
a)
To formally approve
b)
To appeal to court
c)
The division of powers
62.
What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
a)
Bill of Sale
b)
The Remix
c)
The Bill of Rights
63.
Which is an example of domestic policy?
a)
Free trade agreements
b)
Nuclear proliferation treaties
c)
Interest groups
d)
Education and student achievement 
64.
The political party with the most representatives in Congress is called
a)
The majority party
b)
The minority party
c)
The major party
d)
The minor party
65.
The Speaker of the House and committee chairs are
a)
a member of the majority party in the Senate
b)
a member of the majority party in the House of Representatives
c)
A member of the minority party in the Senate
d)
A member of the minority party in the House of Representatives
66.
Bi-partisan (as opposed to partisan) means
a)
supported by both political parties
b)
supported by only one political party
c)
supported by the president only
d)
supported by both the president and governors
67.

Which statement about court cases in which one private party is suing another is true?

a)

They are tried in civil court

b)

They are tried in federal courts only

c)

They are tried in state courts only

d)

They are tried in criminal court

68.

Jurisdiction is defined as .....

a)

where you live

b)

your school choice

c)

a politically defined geographic area

d)

your rights

69.

The most supreme law of the land is....

a)

Georgia Supreme Court

b)

US Court of Appeals

c)

US District Courts

d)

US Supreme Court

70.

Who was the last Justice appointed by President Trump?

a)

Brett Kavanaugh

b)

Neil Gorsuch

c)

Sonia Sotomayer

d)

Clarence Thomas

71.

Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by?

a)

Congress

b)

The House of Reps

c)

The Vice President

d)

The Senate

72.

Which type of law helps resolve disagreements between people or organizations?

a)

civil

b)

criminal

c)

constitutional

d)

military

73.

Who established the federal court system

a)

Congress

b)

State Governments

c)

U.S. Constitution

d)

George Washington

74.

What best describes the term precedent?

a)

The ruling issued by a lower court on a similar issue

b)

Any previous ruling issued by the court

c)

When a prior ruling sets the standard for future rulings

d)

The earlier term of the presiding justice

75.

A person is charged with a crime and may face 5 years in jail. This crime would be a...

a)

Misdemeanor

b)

Felony

76.

A case in which a person has been accused of breaking a law.

a)

Corporal Case

b)

Criminal Case

c)

Civil Case

d)

Federal Case

77.

From which source of law did we get the idea of trial by jury from?

a)

Code of Hammurabi

b)

English Common Law

c)

Magna Carta

d)

Roman Law

78.

Which Supreme Court decision was rendered invalid by the landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education?

a)

Board of Regents of California v. Bakke

b)

Plessy v. Ferguson

c)

Roe v. Wade

d)

Gibbons v. Ogden

79.

Between 1848 and 1920, suffragists protested for women to have the right to vote.


Which amendment guaranteed women this right in the United States?

a)

16th

b)

17th

c)

18th

d)

19th

80.
Which amendment abolished slavery?
a)
13th
b)
14th
c)
15th
d)
24th
81.
What did the fifteenth amendment do?
a)
Abolished slavery
b)
established the equal protection clause
c)
Gave all men the right to vote, regardless of race
d)
gave women the right to vote
82.

Which amendment banned poll taxes as a requirement for voting?

a)

13th

b)

14th

c)

19th

d)

24th

83.

Which amendment changed the voting age from 21 to 18?

a)

13th

b)

15th

c)

24th

d)

26th

84.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 do?

a)

banned all obstacles that prevented African-Americans from voting

b)

gave women suffrage rights

c)

gave 18 year old suffrage rights

85.

True or false. Land ownership was required as a qualification for voting in early America (1700's).

a)

True

b)

False

86.
The first of the Reconstruction Amendments, this amendment went hand in hand with President Lincoln's wishes in the Emancipation Proclamation.
a)
13th
b)
14th
c)
15th
d)
19th
87.
After the slaves were freed, the question came up of how to handle their future in the United States. The 14th Amendment helped do so by: 
a)
Granting jobs to the newly freedmen. 
b)
Granting former slaves the right to vote. 
c)
Paying the former slaves money for their troubles. 
d)
Defining and protecting their citizenship in the United States
88.
What does the word "inferior" mean? 
a)
lower in rank, status, or quality
b)
seeking a passion or goal
c)
a person with little or no education 
d)
a segregated city or community
89.
An individual has the right to freedom until
a)
they use their rights to promote patriotism
b)
their freedom effects someone else
c)
they gain too much power
d)
the government intervenes
90.
Which of the following best describes the 2nd Amendment?
a)
Law-abiding citizens have right to a gun for self-defense.
b)
Individuals are entitled to guns and can do whatever they want with them.
c)
Guns are for collectibles and antiques.
d)
Citizens are entitled to guns for hunting and competitive purposes only.
91.
A group of people holding picket signs and protesting are exercising their right to:
a)
Civil Disobedience
b)
Assembly and Free Speech
c)
Sedition
d)
Freedom of Religion
92.
This case established the policy of judicial review
a)
Brown vs. Board of Education
b)
Tinker vs. Des Moines
c)
Marbury vs. Madison
d)
Morse v. Frederick
93.
This case guaranteed certain rights for individuals being arrested
a)
Marbury vs. Madison
b)
Tinker vs. Des Moines
c)
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier
d)
Miranda vs. Arizona 
94.
This decision allowed for women to have abortions
a)
Roe vs. Wade
b)
Griswold v. Connecticut
c)
Mapp v. Ohio
d)
New Jersey v. T.L.O.
95.
Schools only need reasonable suspicion (not a warrant) to search students.  This is necessary to provide a safe learning environment.
a)
Bethal School District v. Fraser
b)
Gideon v. Wainwright
c)
Tinker v. Des Moines
d)
New Jersey v. TLO
96.
Legalized the Jim Crow laws
a)
Brown vs. Board of Education
b)
Plessy vs. Ferguson
c)
Dred Scott v. Sandford
d)
Korematsu v. U.S.
97.
Public school can not encourage prayer
a)
Board of Ed. v. Earls
b)
Engel v. Vitale
c)
Brown v. Board of Education
d)
Plessy v. Ferguson
98.

What was the impact of Griswold v. Connecticut?

a)

Married women could work if they wanted to.

b)

Women could use contraceptives.

c)

Women could vote in Connecticut.

d)

Single women could hold public office.

99.

This lawyer helped argue for Brown in Brown v. Board of Education.

a)

Martin Luther King Jr.

b)

Thurgood Marshall

c)

Oveta Culp Hobby

d)

Lyndon B. Johnson

100.
Which is a form of protest used by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement? 
a)
Sit-ins
b)
Organized campfires
c)
Taxi rides
d)
All of the above
101.
What disadvantages did women face in the workplace?
a)
Discrimination in hiring practices 
b)
None of these are correct
c)
They did not face discrimination
d)
They got the same pay as men
102.
What association advanced the rights of African Americans?
a)
CORE
b)
NAACP
c)
NOW
d)
ERA
103.
What best describes Jim Crow laws?
a)
better opportunities for women
b)
African Americans gaining full civil and political rights
c)
discrimination laws focused on Native Americans
d)
unequal opportunities for African Americans in housing, jobs, and education
104.

What three factors predict who is likely to vote?

a)

Age, Education, Favorite hobby

b)

Hair color, Education, Income

c)

Age, Zip Code, Income

d)

Age, Education, Income

105.

The group of people with the lowest voter turnout rate is

a)

college graduates.

b)

young people.

c)

women.

d)

senior citizens over 70.

106.

Which is the reason why states have voter registration?

a)

to keep people from voting more than once

b)

to protect the voting rights of aliens and transients

c)

so political parties can contact voters at election time

d)

so states can enforce laws that require citizens to vote

107.
What are the two major parties in America?
a)
Democrats & Libertarians
b)
Liberals & Conservatives
c)
Democrats & Republicans
d)
Libertarians & Republicans
108.
Set of statements describing a party's views on major issues.
a)
public policy
b)
ballot access
c)
political views
d)
platform
109.
Which party is okay with higher taxes if they feel it is necessary for the general welfare of citizens?
a)
Democratic Party
b)
Republican Party 
110.
Which of these items is NOT associated with the Republican party?
a)
Right
b)
Red
c)
Elephant
d)
Liberal
111.
Which of the following is a word that means to betray your country?
a)
taxes
b)
treason
c)
patriotism
d)
citizenship
112.
How old must a person be to apply for citizenship?
a)
21
b)
18
c)
13
d)
16
113.
How long must a person be a permanent resident of the United States before they can apply for naturalization?
a)
5 years
b)
1 year
c)
3 years
d)
7 years
114.
Which of these is the final step in naturalization?
a)
The pledge of allegiance
b)
The Oath of Loyalty
c)
Filling out the application
d)
coming to America
115.
Where must a male register between the ages of 18-26 if he is a U.S. citizen?
a)
The Department of Revenue
b)
The Selective Services
c)
The Postal Service
d)
The CIA
116.
What is it called when someone has citizenship in more than one country?
a)
multiple citizenship
b)
there is no such thing
c)
double citizenship
d)
dual citizenship
117.

What is a right that ONLY citizens have?

a)

Vote

b)

Work

c)

Attend school

d)

Own property

118.
Which of the following is a union between nations for assistance and protection?
a)
ambassador
b)
diplomacy
c)
alliance
d)
policy
119.
Which involve issues or concerns within one's own country?
a)
treaty
b)
foreign affairs
c)
domestic affairs
d)
policy
120.
Which of the following is defined as a country's actions, words, or beliefs toward/about other countries?
a)
Foreign Policy
b)
Foreign Aid
c)
Military
d)
Treaties
121.
Which refers to the work of keeping up relations between the governments of different countries?
a)
treaties
b)
making friends
c)
legacy
d)
diplomacy
122.
Who is the head of the U.S. Department of State and a member of the President's Cabinet?
a)
Attorney General
b)
Secretary of State
c)
Vice President
d)
Speaker of the House
123.
Which is an agreement between two or more countries?
a)
diplomacy
b)
treaty
c)
domestic policy
d)
embassy
124.
Which is a title for a person appointed to work at an embassy as the chief representative of his or her own government in another country?
a)
Secretary of State
b)
The Cabinet
c)
Ambassadors
d)
Secretaries
125.
The policy of giving economic and military assistance to other countries is known as...
a)
domestic affairs
b)
foreign aid
c)
foreign affairs
d)
espionage
126.
Which of the following federal executive departments makes foreign policies?
a)
U.S. Department of State
b)
U.S. Department of Commerce
c)
U.S. Department of Defense
d)
U.S. Department of Education
127.
Which of the following is an example of a foreign policy issue?
a)
Education
b)
Interstate Trade
c)
Healthcare 
d)
International Trade
128.
Which of the following is an example of a domestic policy issue?
a)
Education
b)
International Trade
c)
Diplomacy
d)
War on Terrorism
129.

Who has the power to negotiate treaties?

a)

Supreme Court

b)

Congress

c)

President

d)

Speaker of the House

130.
Form of government that has people vote on everything
a)
DIRECT DEMOCRACY
b)
REPUBLIC
c)
COMMUNISM
d)
CITADEL OF RICKS
131.

Why do nations depend on one another?

a)

They want to remain friendly with all nations.

b)

They need or want things from other nations.

c)

The United Nations requires that they do so.

d)

They want to protect their own industries.

132.
What Act was created after 9/11?
a)
US Patriot Act
b)
Air Pollution Act
c)
Freedom of Information Act
d)
War Powers Act
133.

U.S. ECONOMY: The reduction or withdrawal of military forces and weapons. The reduction of armed forces and weapons

a)

Peace conference

b)

Washington Naval Conference

c)

Disarmament

134.

What is the main goal of US foreign policy?

a)

national security

b)

international trade

c)

making treaties

135.

Why should military force be the last tool used for foreign policy?

a)

it's expensive

b)

risks American lives and lives of others

c)

can lead to war

d)

all of the above

136.

What is a trade sanction?

a)

way of punishing another country by imposing trade barriers

b)

way of providing aid to other countries

137.

What does impeachment mean?

a)

removal from office

b)

conviction of a crime

c)

formal accusation of wrongdoing

138.

Who can formally initiate the impeachment process?

a)

the House of Representatives

b)

any citizen of the United States

c)

the President

139.

Where does the impeachment trial take place?

a)

The White House

b)

The Senate

c)

The Supreme Court

140.

A sale tax is typically considered a...

a)

regressive tax

b)

progressive tax

c)

proportional tax

d)

fair tax

141.

A tax that takes a larger percentage of income from high income groups than from lower income groups

a)

Progressive

b)

Regressive

c)

Proportional

d)

Fair Tax

142.

Which economic situation is characterized by unlimited wants exceeding limited resources?

a)

scarcity

b)

shortage

c)

surplus

d)

specialization

143.

What tax provides the largest source of revenue for the federal government?

a)

federal income tax

b)

sales tax

c)

property tax

d)

tariffs

144.

You pay the same percentage in taxes regardless of income level

a)

progressive tax

b)

proportional tax

c)

regressive tax

d)

None of the above

145.

16th Amendment

a)

Abolished Slavery

b)

Prohibited Alcohol

c)

Grants Citizenship to African Americans

d)

Collecting taxes on income

146.

A system where people can own their own business of their choice is called _____________.

a)

Planned System

b)

Options System

c)

Market Economy or Free Enterprise

d)

Taxes

147.
A term that best best describes your gross pay after taxes are deducted is:
a)
Take-Home Pay
b)
Net Worth
c)
Assets
d)
Total Revenues
148.
While we submit our tax filings to the IRS, where do our federal tax dollars actually go? (What department runs the IRS?)
a)
IRS
b)
Treasury Department
c)
The Federal Reserve
d)
Mr. McKeag (it's a hobby)
149.

Who is the biggest employer in the nation?

a)

Amazon

b)

Google

c)

The Federal Government

d)

Ford Motor Company

150.
Taxing & spending to help the economy grow is referred to as
a)
expansionary policy
b)
monetary policy
c)
contractionary policy
d)
budget deficit
151.
Taxing & spending to slow the economy is referred to as 
a)
budget surplus 
b)
monetary policy
c)
contractionary policy
d)
budget deficit
152.
a rise in the cost of goods and services
a)
inflation
b)
discount rate
c)
interest
d)
monetary policy
153.

Goods and services a country produces and sells to other countries

a)

imports

b)

exports

c)

demand

d)

supply

154.

Goods and services brought in from other countries

a)

supply

b)

exports

c)

imports

d)

tariff

155.

A tax on imports

a)

tariff

b)

import tax

c)

supply

d)

embargo

156.

Rules used to try to limit trade with other countries

a)

embargo

b)

tariff

c)

trade barriers

d)

quota

157.

not subject to taxes

a)

balanced budget

b)

balanced budget

c)

tax exempt

d)

tax assessor

158.

The Federal taxes we pay helps pay ___________

a)

cops

b)

military

c)

teachers

d)

bus drivers

Similar Resources on Wayground

sadfshm

160 questions

sadfshm

quiz

Worksheet

•

12th Grade

Mid-Term/EOC Prep(Civil War - New Deal)

154 questions

Mid-Term/EOC Prep(Civil War - New Deal)

quiz

Worksheet

•

11th Grade

World History Review

160 questions

World History Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th Grade

U.S. History Unit 1 Leap 2025 Review

154 questions

U.S. History Unit 1 Leap 2025 Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th - 12th Grade

American Government ACP 2

160 questions

American Government ACP 2

quiz

Worksheet

•

12th Grade

Midterm Review

154 questions

Midterm Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

19th Century U.S. History Quiz

159 questions

19th Century U.S. History Quiz

quiz

Worksheet

•

10th Grade

Untitled Quiz

153 questions

Untitled Quiz

quiz

Worksheet

•

11th Grade