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Mid-Year Practice #3 (2024)

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which part of the U.S. Constitution states the goals and purposes of government?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

Article IV

c)

Preamble

d)

Article I

2.

What is meant by “insure domestic tranquility” in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

to prevent a foreign invasion

b)

to prohibit taxation without representation

c)

to guarantee that Americans enjoy high standards of living

d)

to maintain peace at home by preventing violent disturbances or rebellions

3.

In the Preamble, what is the meaning of the phrase “to form a more perfect Union”?

a)

to preserve states’ rights

b)

to create a separation of powers

c)

to unite the states more completely under one government

d)

to guarantee the well-being and happiness of every citizen

4.

The passage below is from the Preamble to the U.S Constitution.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Based on the language of the Preamble, which conclusion can be made about the government of the United States?

a)

Its primary purpose is to preserve states’ rights.

b)

It has maintained the same methods of government as the Articles of Confederation

c)

It promotes the interests of the majority without protecting any minority rights.

d)

It was established by its citizens to protect their liberties and to promote their well-being.

5.

How does the President check the actions of Congress?

a)

by refusing to provide funding

b)

by adjourning a congressional session

c)

by declaring a law to be unconstitutional

d)

by vetoing a bill approved by both houses

6.

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

7.

Which is an example of checks and balances?

a)

The President signs a treaty with Mexico

b)

The President appoints a Supreme Court justice and the Senate approves it.

c)

Congress passes a law reducing taxes.

d)

The Supreme Court rules on a case entitled, Miranda v. Arizona.

8.

What is the main purpose for Separation of Powers?

a)

To divide power and responsibility between national and state governments

b)

To specify and limit the powers listed in the U.S. Constitution

c)

To protect the nation against tyranny by dividing and specifying the function of each branch

d)

To prevent any one branch of government from becoming stronger than the other branches

9.

The passage below is from the U.S. Constitution.

The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

What is this passage also known as?

a)

Export Clause

b)

Elastic Clause

c)

Commerce Clause

d)

Supremacy Clause

10.

Which phrase completes the chart?

a)

To collect taxes

b)

To impeach the President

c)

To raise an army and establish a navy

d)

To rule on whether a law is constitutional

11.

Which part of government was responsible for the event in this headline?

a)

President

b)

Congress

c)

Supreme Court

d)

state legislatures

12.

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

13.

The statement below is from a statement made by

Thaddeus Stevens, member of the House of Representatives in 1868.

When Andrew Johnson took upon himself the duties of his high office he swore to obey the Constitution and take care that the laws be faithfully executed. That, indeed, is and has always been the chief duty of the President of the United States…

I accuse him, in the name of the House of Representatives, of having perpetrated that foul offense against the laws and interests of his country . . .”

How might similar statements influence congressional action?

a)

presidential impeachment

b)

presidential nomination

c)

presidential election

d)

presidential veto

14.

What kind of order does the U.S. Supreme Court

issue to indicate that it will review a case?

a)

writ of certiorari

b)

majority opinion

c)

summary judgment

d)

writ of habeas corpus

15.

How does an Executive Order differ from a law?

a)

Executive Orders do not need to be approved by Congress.

b)

Executive Orders are not subject to judicial review.

c)

Executive Orders are not limited by the Constitution.

d)

Executive Orders are not limited to military and foreign affairs.

16.

What is meant by “judicial review”?

a)

the power of a governor or the President to pardon criminals

b)

the power of a state governor to remove an unpopular state judge

c)

the power of a court to determine whether a law is constitutional

d)

an annual ranking of federal judges by the U.S. Department of Justice

17.

The table compares different levels of government.

Which phrase completes the table?

a)

Congress

b)

The Cabinet

c)

National Council

d)

Joint Chief of Staff

18.

The diagram shows the three choices that the President has whenever a bill is passed by Congress.


Which phrase completes the diagram?

a)

Veto the bill

b)

Amend the bill

c)

Sign the bill

d)

Refer the bill to a public referendum

19.

What is the next step in the lawmaking process after it has cleared the House of Representatives?

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.

Which court completes the diagram?

a)

Florida District Court

b)

U.S. Circuit Court

c)

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

d)

U.S. District Court of Appeals

21.

Jocelyn Smith was injured by a local driver in a car accident. The other driver was texting and driving. After talking with a lawyer, Ms. Smith decides to sue the other driver for $50,000 in damages.


In which court should she file her legal action?

a)

Florida Circuit Court

b)

Florida County Court

c)

Florida Supreme Court

d)

Florida District Court of Appeal

22.

Sam Morgan is convicted of committing mail fraud by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Sam believes the judge was unfairly biased against him.


To which court should he send his appeal?

a)

U.S. Supreme Court

b)

Florida Circuit Court

c)

U.S. Court of Appeals

d)

Florida Supreme Court

23.

Sofia believes that there is too much noise at night in her neighborhood. She would like to see stricter laws passed to prohibit loud music after 11:00 pm. What is her responsibility in this circumstance?

a)

to write a letter to his U.S. Senator

b)

to start a public protest against street noise

c)

to contact his representative in local government

d)

to contact the Governor of Florida with his complaint

24.

Which phrase is one of the goals found in the Preamble?

a)

To promote full employment

b)

To provide for the common defense

c)

To maintain international order

d)

To establish the best education system

25.

What has been the lasting impact of the structure of our government as set up in the Constitution by the Framers?

a)

Government power has been limited to prevent any branch from exercising total control.

b)

State governments have lost almost all of their powers to the federal government.

c)

The structure has prevented the executive branch from having any real power.

d)

The structure has allowed the judicial branch to exercise executive powers.