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Civics Mid-Term Review (Part 4)

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 12mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the purpose of the introduction that begins with the following words? "We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union"

a)

to explain the reasons for the writing of the Constitution

b)

to explain the reasons for including the Bill of Rights in the Constitution

c)

to explain the reasons for including the amendment process in the Constitution

d)

to explain the reasons for writing the Declaration of Independence before the Constitution

2.

What do the words “domestic tranquility” mean in the following? "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union . . . insure domestic tranquility"

a)

family values

b)

social stability

c)

freedom of religion

d)

safety from invasion

3.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to . . . provide for the common defense" is best supported by which of the following?

a)

The Founders meant to encourage foreign wars.

b)

The Founders meant to improve national security.

c)

The Founders meant to establish rules of self defense for individual citizens.

d)

The Founders meant to decrease the use of the nation’s military.

4.

"We the People of the United States,...and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity," is best represented by which of the following?

a)

The power of the three branches of government should be limited.

b)

The leaders of the federal government should be directly elected.

c)

The government should provide a college education to all citizens.

d)

The government should protect the freedom of future generations.

5.

"We the People . . .establish this Constitution for the United States of America." What is the main reason the Framers chose these words to introduce the Constitution?

a)

to explain that government power was checked by the public

b)

to explain that government was created by an official process

c)

to show the necessity of proper procedures in the new government

d)

to show the importance of self-government in the new government

6.

How does the executive branch check the power of the judicial branch?

a)

It removes judges from the courts.

b)

It creates lower federal courts.

c)

It nominates federal judges.

d)

It vetoes court decisions.

7.

On which "Big Idea" is the system of checks and balances based?

a)

federalism

b)

rule of law

c)

limited government

d)

representative government

8.

What is the best title for the following list? Judicial branch can strike down laws, the Executive branch can veto laws, and the Legislative branch writes laws.

a)

Examples of Communist Guidelines

b)

Examples from Absolute Monarchies

c)

Examples from Parliamentary Rule of Government

d)

Examples of Constitutional Limits on Government

9.

What is the Senate doing in the following: "He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur."

a)

to enforce the principle of rule of law

b)

to exercise the power of judicial review

c)

to check the power of the executive branch

d)

to represent the interests of the legislative branch

10.
In which type of democracy do the people elect representatives?
a)
Representative
b)
Direct
11.
Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
a)
Richmond, VA
b)
Dover, DE
c)
Philadelphia, PA
d)
Boston, MA
12.
Who was considered the "Father of the Constitution"?
a)
Patrick Henry
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
George Washington
d)
James Madison
13.
Who was the leader of the Constitutional Convention?
a)
Thomas Jefferson
b)
George Washington
c)
James Madison
d)
Ben Franklin
14.
Our nation's first plan of government
a)
Articles of the Confederation
b)
Constitution
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
Magna Carta
15.
The Articles of the Confederation provided a solid plan of government
a)
True 
b)
False
16.
The original Constitution did not contain
a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
The English Bill of Rights
c)
The Magna Carta
d)
Amendments
17.

The American concept of due process can be traced back to common law practices that were FIRST codified in the

a)

US Constitution

b)

House of Burgesses

c)

Magna Carta

d)

Mayflower Compact

18.

When this was published in early 1776, many American colonists became convinced that they should act to form a new kind of nation independent from the rule of Britain’s "cruel" courts.

a)

US Constitution

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Mayflower Compact

d)

Common Sense

19.

The Mayflower Compact was unique because it

a)

was the first example of colonial European self-government in northeastern North America.

b)

gave freedom to Black colonists

c)

provided a foundation for the Declaration of Independence

d)

allowed slavery

20.

Why was the Magna Carta important for the development of democracy?

a)

The Magna Carta limited the King's power and prevented absolutism from taking hold in England.

b)

Parliament became more powerful than the monarch.

c)

It guaranteed liberty to all.

d)

It outlawed slavery.

21.

What document established a tradition of direct democracy in New England?

a)

US Constitution

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Magna Carta

d)

Mayflower Compact

22.

How did the English Bill of Rights change the government structure of England?

a)

It limited Parliament's power and increased the power of the church.

b)

It limited the monarch's power to be shared with Parliament and the people.

c)

It increased the role of a sovereign leader over.

d)

It increased government spending and focused on absolute control.