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Civics Midterm Review Part I

Total questions: 42

Worksheet time: 21mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

SS.7.C.1.1

According to John Locke, which rights were guaranteed by natural law?

a)

trial by jury and no cruel punishments

b)

freedom of speech and of the press

c)

life, liberty and property

d)

freedom of worship and the right to petition

2.

SS.7.C.1.1

What most attracted the Founding Fathers to Montesquieu's explanation of the separation of powers?

a)

Their separation could help prevent the central government from becoming tyrannical and oppressive.

b)

Their separation could protect the rights of the nobility from the actions of the king.

c)

Their separation could preserve the privileges of the monarch and nobles from popular attack.

d)

Their separation raised judicial power to a level of equality with

legislative and executive power.

3.

SS.7.C.1.1 & 1.2

Which of the following were most similar?

a)

the Mayflower Compact and John Locke's social contract theory

b)

the English Bill of Rights and Thomas Paine's Common Sense

c)

Magna Carta and Montesquieu's separation of powers

d)

the Mayflower Compact and Montesquieu's separation of powers

4.

SS.7.C.1.2

The diagram above indicates that the colonists based some of their political views on historic documents.

Which phrase completes the diagram?

a)

Natural law

b)

Separation of powers

c)

Divine Right of Kings

d)

Guarantee of certain individual rights

5.

SS.7.C.1.2

The statements above are from the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.

Which statement guarantees a right first granted by Magna Carta?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

6.

SS.7.C.1.2

The statements above are from three of the first amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Which earlier document contained similar rights?

a)

Magna Carta (1215)

b)

The Mayflower Compact (1620)

c)

The English Bill of Rights (1689)

d)

Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws (1784)

7.

SS.7.C.1.3

Which timeline shows English policies towards the American colonists in correct chronological order?

a)

Townshend Act - Quartering of troops - Stamp Act - Tea Act

b)

Quartering of troops - Townshend Act - Intolerable Acts - Tea Act

c)

Stamp Act - Quartering of troops - Tea Act - Intolerable Acts

d)

Stamp Act - Townshend Act - Tea Act - Quartering of troops

8.

SS.7.C.1.3

Use the diagram above to answer Questions 3 and 4.

What was the impact of the continued fighting between British troops and the Continental Army in Massachusetts and New York in 1775 and 1776?

a)

Point 1

b)

Point 2

c)

Point 3

d)

Point 4

9.

SS.7.C.1.3

What was the impact of the passage of the Stamp Act by the British Parliament in 1765?

a)

Point 1

b)

Point 2

c)

Point 3

d)

Point 4

10.

SS.7.C.1.4

Which colonial leader introduced the ideas of John Locke's "social contract" theory into the Declaration of Independence?

a)

John Hancock

b)

Thomas Paine

c)

James Madison

d)

Thomas Jefferson

11.

SS.7.C.1.4

According to the Declaration of Independence, what was an "unalienable right" that all governments should protect?

a)

the right to social equality

b)

the right to personal liberty

c)

the right to religious equality

d)

the right to elect government officials

12.

SS.7.C.1.4

The passage below comes from the Declaration of Independence (1776)


"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies

without the Consent of our legislatures..."


Which section of the Declaration contained this passage?

a)

its list of colonial grievances

b)

its justification of the conduct of the colonists

c)

its theory of government based on a social contract

d)

its announcement of American independence from Britain

13.

SS.7.C.1.4

The passage below comes from the Declaration of Independence.


"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."


According to this passage, what is the principal role of government?

a)

To promote greater social equality

b)

To protect the natural rights of citizens

c)

To glorify the ruler in the eyes of the Creator

d)

To help individuals cooperate against the forces of nature

14.

SS.7.C.1.4

The diagram above summarizes ideas from the Declaration of Independence.

Which statement completes the diagram?

a)

Because governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, they are incapable of acting against the people.

b)

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to take peaceful measures to alter those policies.

c)

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.

d)

Because governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, it is the obligation of the people to obey their government whatever it commands.

15.

SS.7.C.1.5

The postage stamp above shows a committee of the Second Continental Congress drafting the Articles of the Confederation.

Why did 'this committee create a weak central government?

a)

To encourage more trade between states

b)

To preserve the powers of the individual states

c)

To promote National Security against foreign invasion

d)

To permit the taxation of citizens to pay the nation's debts

16.

SS.7.C.1.5

Which steps would the Confederation Congress have taken in the event of another war?

a)

Declare war then raise its own troops to defend the nation then pass a tax to raise money

b)

Declare war then ask states to contribute troops and funds then direct the Army and Navy

c)

Ask states for permission to declare war then borrow money then raise an army and a Navy

d)

Declare war with the states then pass a tax law to fund the Army and build the Navy then direct the Army and Navy

17.

SS.7.C.1.5

By 1786, why did many merchants want the Articles of Confederation to be replaced?

a)

Several states were taxing the activities of the Confederation.

b)

States where discouraging trade by taxing one another's goods.

c)

Congress was forcing the states to contribute to its general fund.

d)

The Confederation Congress printed so much money that it lost its value.

18.

SS.7.C.1.5

The illustration above, from a popular almanac in 1787, shows Captain Daniel Shays.

Why did Shays Rebellion send a wave of fear among wealthy merchants and landowners?

a)

Officers worried about losing their back pay.

b)

Shays plan to take money from the rich and give it to the poor.

c)

There was no national army to put down domestic unrest if it spread.

d)

Bankers and other lenders feared the loss of loans to their national government.

19.

SS.7.C.1.5

Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation was addressed by the Constitution?

a)

The continuation of slavery

b)

the lack of a national court system

c)

The absence of a balanced budget

d)

the need to strengthen the power of the states

20.

SS.7.C.3.3

Above are two opposing views expressed at the Constitutional Convention.

How was the disagreement between small states and large states resolved at the Constitutional Convention?

a)

By creating both federal and state legislatures

b)

By counting each slave as three-fifths of a person

c)

By passing a Bill of Rights to protect individual rights

d)

By creating a bicameral legislature with one house on each basis

21.

SS.7.C.1.6

Why did the Preamble at the Constitution begin with the phrase, "We the People?"

a)

To indicate that the national government had limited powers.

b)

To indicate that the states had been associated in a confederation

c)

To indicate that federal power was separated among three branches

d)

To indicate that the US people were the ultimate source of its authority

22.

SS.7.C.1.6

Which identifies one of the goals of government listed in the Preamble?

a)

To guarantee employment to all citizens

b)

To expand the nation's frontiers westward

c)

To establish independence from Great Britain

d)

To protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens

23.

SS.7.C.1.7

The chart shows the organization of the government of the US, based on the Constitution. Which constitutional principle is illustrated by the chart?

a)

Federalism

b)

Separation of powers

c)

Checks and balances

d)

Popular sovereignty

24.

SS.7.C.1.7

When the President nominates an individual to serve as Secretary of State, the Senate must confirm the appointment. Which constitutional principle does this illustrate?

a)

Limited government

b)

Separation of powers

c)

Checks and balances

d)

Popular sovereignty

25.

SS.7.C.1.7

The list below provides 3 examples of actions by the US government:


>the President meets with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

>The Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional.

>Congress passes a new environmental law.


Which constitutional principle do these examples illustrate?

a)

Limited government

b)

Separation of powers

c)

Checks and balances

d)

Popular sovereignty

26.

SS.7.C.1.8

Why did Anti-Federalists' believe that it was critically important for a democratic society to provide constitutional guarantees for free speech and a free press?

a)

They encouraged citizens to vote.

b)

They encouraged an open exchange of ideas.

c)

They supported the growth of political parties.

d)

They helped government leaders to control the people.

27.

SS.7.C.1.8

What was one of the Anti-Federalists' strongest arguments against the Constitution?

a)

It did not create a national executive.

b)

It did not include list of protected rights for individuals.

c)

The new central government would be too dependent on the states.

d)

The new central government would be too weak to protect American interests abroad.

28.

SS.7.C.1.8

What was one outcome of the debate Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the ratification of the Constitution?

a)

The later addition of the Bill of Rights

b)

The acquisition of Florida from Spain

c)

The spread of slavery into Western territories

d)

The acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase from France

29.

SS.7.C.3.3

Which is an enumerated power of Congress?

a)

the power to tax exports

b)

the power to declare war

c)

the power to issue hunting licenses

d)

the power to operate public school districts

30.

SS.7.C.3.3

The diagram shows details about the US Government. Which branch of government completes the diagram?

a)

The Senate

b)

The Cabinet

c)

The Supreme Court

d)

The House of Representatives

31.

SS.7.C.3.3

Which action is an example of an "implied" power?

a)

Congress votes to raise income taxes.

b)

Congress holds an investigation on women in the military.

c)

Congress declares war on a country for sponsoring terrorism.

d)

Congress decides to close post offices in rural areas on Saturdays.

32.

SS.7.C.3.3

Which is an example of a check on congressional power?

a)

the power of Congress to declare war

b)

the power of the President to veto a bill

c)

the power of the Supreme Court to try cases between states

d)

the power of the states to collect their own taxes

33.

SS.7.C.3.3

Which statement accurately describes the Electoral College?

a)

Each state has the same number of electoral votes.

b)

The winner of the popular vote automatically wins the Electoral College.

c)

The electors for the Electoral College are chosen before the general election.

d)

In all but two states, the candidate receiving the largest popular vote in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes.

34.

SS.7.C.3.3

The 25th Amendment sets out the order of succession to the Presidency. If the President dies, the Vice President is next in line. Which official follows next?

a)

Secretary of State

b)

Secretary of Defense

c)

Speaker of the House

d)

President pro tempore of Senate

35.

SS.7.C.3.3

When the President of the United States hosts the President of France at a dinner at the White House, what role is the President performing?

a)

Chief Diplomat

b)

Chief Legislator

c)

Chief Executive

d)

Commander in Chief

36.

SS.7.C.3.3

During the 1976 Presidential campaign, Jimmy Carter promised to pardon draft evaders from the Vietnam War to help heal the wounds of the war. Shortly after he was elected, President Carter pardoned about 100,000 draft

dodgers. How was he able to pardon so many at once?

a)

He was exercising his implied powers as President.

b)

He was exercising his customary powers as President.

c)

He was exercising his emergency powers as President.

d)

He was exercising his expressed powers as President.

37.

SS.7.C.3.3

The Rio Grande forms the international border between Texas and Mexico. Over the years, the Rio Grande has changed its course several times. This has led to a number of disputes between Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. The Country Club dispute between Texas and New Mexico was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1927. Why did the Supreme Court exercise original jurisdiction over this case?

a)

The case involved federal law.

b)

The case was between several states as parties.

c)

The case was between citizens of different states.

d)

The case involved foreign ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls.

38.

SS.7.C.1.9

What does the U.S. Constitution have in common with the Twelve Tables of ancient Rome?

a)

Both established harsh punishments for crimes.

b)

Both described detailed procedures for court proceedings.

c)

Both emphasized that citizens were protected by the rule of law.

d)

Both were more concerned with property rights than with individual freedom.

39.

SS.7.C.1.9

Which is a benefit of the rule of law?

a)

Bureaucratic government procedures are reduced.

b)

Government decisions are based on the will of the majority.

c)

Government officials can act on their own instincts in emergencies.

d)

Citizens are protected from arbitrary and oppressive uses of government power.

40.

SS.7.C.3.5

What is usually the first step in amending the Constitution?

a)

3/4 of the state legislatures propose the amendment.

b)

2/3 of each house of Congress propose the amendment.

c)

Conventions in 3/4 of the states propose the amendment.

d)

The President, after consulting the U.S. Supreme Court, proposes the amendment.

41.

SS.7.C.2.4

Juanita was accused of shoplifting in a neighborhood department store. She went to trial and the jury found her to be "not guilty." However, the storeowner found video footage after the trial, proving that Juanita did shoplift. The ownertakes this evidence to the district attorney. How will the district attorney respond?

a)

With this evidence, Juanita will probably be convicted on her second trial.

b)

Juanita cannot be convicted because she was not advised of her right to legal counsel.

c)

Juanita cannot be tried again because this would violate the ban on "double jeopardy."

d)

After seeing this evidence, Juanita may admit her wrongdoing and plead guilty to a lesser charge.

42.

SS.7.C.3.5

The diagram above shows the most common method of amending the U.S. Constitution.

Which answer completes the diagram?

a)

2/3 of the states hold a constitutional convention.

b)

3/4 of the state legislatures ratify the amendment.

c)

The President of the United States approves the amendment.

d)

3/4 of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment.