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Civics Inquiry Assessment Review

Total questions: 51

Worksheet time: 45mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

2.

The passage is from Federalist No. 47, written by James Madison in 1788. Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe?

a)

separation of powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

popular sovereignty

d)

judicial review

3.

Which principle supports President Eisenhower’s action to uphold the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that public schools should be integrated?

a)

judicial review

b)

checks and balances

c)

separation of powers

d)

constitutional government

4.

What was the Anti-Federalists’ greatest concern about ratifying the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The lack of a federal court system.

b)

The lack of legislative veto power.

c)

The lack of a strong military.

d)

The lack of a bill of rights.

5.

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.

6.

The passage was written by James Madison in 1787.

Based on this passage, what change in modern political society would Madison support?

a)

Expanding the size of the Cabinet.

b)

Expanding the size of the Electoral College.

c)

Expanding the number of candidates in campaigns.

d)

Expanding the role of special interest groups in campaigns.

7.

Where can a description of U.S. citizens’ civil liberties be found?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Preamble to the Constitution

c)

Pledge of Allegiance

d)

Bill of Rights

8.

The statement was made by Thomas Jefferson in a 1786 letter to John Jay. Why should this freedom be guarded?

a)

to provide the news media with a guaranteed profit I

b)

to keep the news media from controlling the political process

c)

to provide the government with an accurate information source

d)

to keep the government from becoming the primary information source

9.

The passage is one of the grievances found in the Declaration of Independence. Which rights listed in the Bill of Rights reflect this complaint?

a)

due process of law, assistance of counsel, speedy and public trial

b)

equal protection, assistance of counsel, speedy and public trial

c)

bear arms, due process of law, speedy and public trial

d)

bear arms, equal protection, speedy and public trial

10.

Which right is NOT mentioned in the U.S. Constitution?

a)

petition the government

b)

due process of the law

c)

trial by jury

d)

privacy

11.

The passage about government is from Federalist No. 51. How are the author’s views from this passage applied in the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The U.S. Constitution limits the rights of the people.

b)

The U.S. Constitution limits the power of the federal government.

c)

The U.S. Constitution requires the states to provide for the common defense.

d)

The U.S. Constitution requires the government to promote the general welfare.

12.

The timeline shows events related to the death penalty. What constitutional protections have resulted from these events?

a)

Constitutional protections from cruel and unusual punishment are safeguarded while executions continue.

b)

Constitutional protections from cruel and unusual punishment are limited while executions continue

c)

Constitutional protections of due process of law are safeguarded while executions continue.

d)

Constitutional protections of due process of law are limited while executions continue

13.
According to the illustration, in what way is the Constitution more flexible than the Articles of Confederation?
a)
The main idea of the chart describes how the national convention is not flexible.
b)
The main idea of the chart describes how the Articles of Confederation helps us adapt to the times.
c)
The main idea of the chart describes how the U.S. Constitution has the ability to change and adapt.
d)
The main idea of the chart describes how the U.S. Constitution can not adapt with the times
14.
Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?
a)
Senate and President
b)
Supreme Court and President
c)
House of Representatives and Senate
d)
Supreme Court and House of Representatives
15.
This statement is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.
This statement illustrates which congressional action?
a)
presidential impeachment
b)
presidential nomination
c)
presidential election
d)
presidential veto
16.
Which branch of federal government makes laws?
a)
bureaucracy
b)
executive
c)
judicial
d)
legislative
17.
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
18.
Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does the author describe?
a)
Checks and Balances
b)
Separation of Powers
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
19.
The diagram shows some of the steps involved in creating a Florida State law.
What is the next step in the state lawmaking process?
a)
the governor signs the bill into law
b)
the bill goes to the Senate for action
c)
the people vote on the bill in an election
d)
the bill goes to the Supreme Court for a hearing.
20.
Based on the table, how has the legislative process been impacted by presidential vetoes?
a)
The presidents' views are not reflected in public policy
b)
The presidents' views are reflected in public policy
c)
Congress represents the will of the people
d)
Congress represents the will of the states
21.
Which was an outcome of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?
a)
Administrators may limit the content of students publications
b)
Public school districts that segregate deny equal protection
c)
Students have a reduced expectation of privacy in school
d)
Criminal defendants have the right to an attorney
22.
The diagram provides details about the U.S. Court System.
Which court completes the diagram?
a)
Court of Veterans Appeals
b)
Court of Appeals
c)
Military Courts
d)
Claims Courts
23.

Which is the last step in amending the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The voters approve the amendment in a national election.

b)

The president signs the amendment in a public ceremony.

c)

Three-fourths of the state legislatures ratify the amendment.

d)

Two-thirds of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment.

24.

The passage was written by U.S. Senator Barack Obama in his 2006 book, The Audacity of Hope. Based on the passage, which statement about the amendment process would Senator Obama support?

a)

The ratification process allows the president to reflect public views.

b)

The ratification process allows governors to reflect public views

c)

The U.S. Constitution is difficult to amend.

d)

The U.S. Constitution is easy to amend.

25.

The passage is from an 1848 speech by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Based on the passage, which action in the modern political system would Elizabeth Cady Stanton support?

a)

amending the U.S. Constitution to extend suffrage

b)

amending the U.S. Constitution to guarantee due process

c)

Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of speech rights

d)

Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of association rights

26.

Which individual protection is found in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

a)

privacy rights

b)

property rights

c)

forced internment

d)

civil disobedience

27.

Which action represents an individual exercising a constitutional right?

a)

summary judgment

b)

quartering soldiers

c)

civil disobedience

d)

double jeopardy

28.

What has been one long-term result of the constitutional protection of free speech?

a)

fewer court cases involving minors

b)

fewer laws limiting minority rights

c)

a more accurate election

d)

a more informed society

29.

How did the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 impact political participation?

a)

All persons who passed a literacy test could now vote.

b)

All children of foreign citizens could now vote.

c)

All African-Americans could now vote.

d)

All women could now vote.

30.

The photograph illustrates an event in U.S. history. What was Congress’ response to the social movement symbolized in the photograph?

a)

decreased commerce opportunities

b)

increased economic opportunities

c)

increased religious opportunities

d)

decreased military opportunities

31.

The newspaper details an important step in amending the U.S. Constitution. How did the passage of this amendment to the U.S. Constitution impact the political process in the United States?

a)

Women were allowed to contribute to political campaigns.

b)

Women were allowed to hold citizenship rights.

c)

Women were allowed to hold public offices.

d)

Women were allowed to vote in national elections.

32.

The newspaper headline below describes an event in U.S. history.


Which parts of the national government participated in the process described in the newspaper headline?

a)

Senate and President

b)

Supreme Court and President

c)

House of Representatives and Senate

d)

Supreme Court and House of Representatives

33.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

a)

100

b)

400

c)

435

d)

235

34.

What are 3 qualifications in House?

a)

30 years, citizen for 9 years, and reside in state

b)

25 years, citizen for 7 years, and reside in state

c)

20 years, citizen for 7 years, and reside in the US

d)

25 years, citizen for 14 years, and reside in US

35.

What are 3 qualifications in House?

a)

30 years, citizen for 9 years, and reside in state

b)

25 years, citizen for 7 years, and reside in state

c)

20 years, citizen for 7 years, and reside in the US

d)

25 years, citizen for 14 years, and reside in US

36.

If the President vetos a bill, what portion of Congress must vote to pass the bill in order for it to become law without a Presidential signature?

a)

3/4's

b)

2/3's

c)

1/2

37.

Necessary and proper clause gives ability to create these from expressed powers

a)

presidential power

b)

veto power

c)

expressed power

d)

implied powers

38.
Which 2 entities enact foreign policy?
a)
The President and Congress
b)
The President and State Governments
c)
The President and the Supreme Court
d)
The President and UN
39.
What does the Constitution allow Congress to do in terms of the military?
a)
Quarter soldiers
b)
Declare War and support the military
c)
Act as Commander in Chief
d)
Sign treaties
40.

SS.7.C.3.3 Cognitive Complexity: M


The passage below is from a speech by

President George W. Bush, March 19, 2003.

"On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign."

Source:

Office of the White House Press Secretary Archives

What constitutional power justifies the actions described in the passage?

a)

commander-in-chief

b)

negotiator-in-chief

c)

chief legislator

d)

chief regulator

41.

Complexity: H

SS.7.C.3.3

The statement below is from a congressional document, July 27, 1974.

Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Source: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary


How have similar statements influenced modern congressional actions?

a)

presidential impeachment

b)

presidential nomination

c)

presidential election

d)

presidential veto

42.

Complexity: M

SS.7.C.3.8

Which action formally accuses a government official of “wrongdoing”?

a)

filibuster

b)

impeach

c)

overide

d)

pardon

43.
Which correctly lists the roles of the president?
a)
chief foreign policy maker, commander in chief, president pro tempore 
b)
party leader, speaker of the house, legislative leader
c)
chief of state, chief foreign policy maker, party leader
d)
head of the economy, head of state, head of the Supreme Court
44.
Which branch's main job is to MAKE the laws?
a)
legislative
b)
judicial
c)
executive
45.
How does Congress stretch its powers to do "all means which are proper that are not prohibited"?"
a)
foreign policy
b)
veto or sign laws
c)
the elastic clause
d)
executive orders
46.
What does the Constitution allow Congress to do in terms of the military?
a)
Quarter soldiers
b)
Declare War and support the military
c)
Act as Commander in Chief
d)
Sign treaties
47.
What can the judicial branch do in terms of laws?
a)
Pass them.
b)
Declare them unconstitutional.
c)
Veto them.
d)
Arrest them.
48.
Which 2 entities enact foreign policy?
a)
The President and Congress
b)
The President and State Governments
c)
The President and the Supreme Court
d)
The President and UN
49.
Which section of the Constitution gives the legislative branch its powers?
a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
Article I
c)
Article II
d)
Article III
50.

Congress proposes an amendment legalizing an income tax. The Supreme Court rules that the income tax is unconstitutional. These events illustrate the use of which of the following?

a)

delegated powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

unwritten constitution

d)

. judicial legislation

51.

The lawmaking body in local government refers to which of the following terms?

a)

. mayor-council

b)

advisory committee

c)

board commission

d)

city council