Worksheets2020_Unit 2.1 Origins & Purposes of Gov't.
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
In addition to serving as an introduction to the United States Constitution, which does the Preamble accomplish?
Outlines the rights of the people
Provides a set of rules for creating laws
Proclaims our independence from Britain
States the goals and purposes of government
The headline above reports a decision of the government.
Which goal of the Preamble is best reflected in the headline?
insure domestic tranquility
form a more perfect union
promote the general welfare
provide for the common defense
The statement below is from an historical document.
"We the people of the United States...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
How is this statement reflected in the modern American political system?
Voters elect members of Congress.
The Electoral College elects Congress.
.Congress enforces policies.
The President enacts policies.
What does the phrase "insure domestic tranquility" in the Preamble of the Constitution mean?
Give land to the homeless.
Fight wars on foreign soil.
Keep the homeland at peace.
Provide citizens with insurance.
The diagram above shows the purpose of government according to the Constitution's Preamble.
Which phrase completes the diagram?
depends on the people; serve the people
depends on law; maintain the law
depends on God; serve the people
depends on liberty; preserve those liberties
Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares acts of Congress unconstitutional?
separation of powers
checks and balances
Advice and consent
executive privilege
The statement below was written by John Adams in April 1776.
“A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly.”
Which basic principle of American government is John Adams describing in this statement?
separation of powers
individual rights
natural laws
civic virtue
Which check does the President have over Congress?
vetoing laws
approving treaties
approving nominations
declaring laws unconstitutional
The table above describes several powers of the U.S. government.
Which two principles are described in this table?
separation of powers and checks and balances
separation of powers and popular sovereignty
federalism and judicial review
federalism and republicanism
What was the Anti-Federalists’ greatest concern about ratifying the U.S. Constitution?
The lack of a federal court system
The lack of legislative veto power
. The lack of a strong military
The lack of a bill of rights
Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
The Constitution should limit state government.
The Constitution should protect fundamental rights.
The Constitution should create a strong central government.
The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians.
“A bill of rights is unnecessary because the powers of our government are limited.”
Which group would support this viewpoint about government?
Anti-Federalists
Federalists
Loyalists
Patriots
The statement below appeared in a 1787 essay by James Winthrop.
“It is impossible for one code of laws to suit Georgia and Massachusetts.”
What does this statement reflect?
Federalist views
a cause of Shays' Rebellion
Anti-Federalist views
a cause of the Great Compromise
The passage below is from Federalist 51, written by James Madison in 1788.
“… The interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places. ”
Which constitutional principle does Madison describe in the passage?
popular sovereignty
judicial review
checks and balances
separation of powers
The newspaper headline above describes an event in U.S. History.
Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?
Senate and President
Supreme Court and President
House of Representatives and Senate
Supreme Court and House of Representatives
Which statement describes an impact of the rule of law?
state of nature
checks and balances
separation of powers
transparency of institutions
The newspaper headline above describes an event in United States history.
Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?
President and Senate
Supreme Court and President
House of Representatives and Senate
Supreme Court and House of Representatives
Which branch of the federal government makes laws?
Judicial
Executive
Legislative
bureaucracy
Which branch of the federal government interprets laws?
judicial
executive
legislative
bureaucracy
The newspaper headline above describes an event in U.S. history.
Which branches of the national government cooperated to achieve the announcement in the headline?
Executive and Judicial
Legislative and Judicial
Legislative and Executive
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
