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Brain Overload SOL CE 2-5 Benchmark Review

Total questions: 42

Worksheet time: 35mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Political parties have all of the following functions except?

a)

Helping candidates win elections for public office.

b)

Educating voters about campaign issues.

c)

Recruiting and nominating the candidates for office.

d)

Casting votes on the floor of the U.S. Congress.

2.

Both the Republican and Democratic parties are similar in all of the following ways EXCEPT?

a)

Organize at the local, state, and national levels.

b)

Reflect both liberal and conservative viewpoints.

c)

Influence public policy.

d)

Share similar viewpoints on most major issues during a campaign.

3.

According to the chart who would receive Virginia's 13 electoral votes during this election?

a)

Alex Leatherwood

b)

Evan Neal

c)

Landon Dickerson

d)

Jedrick Willis

4.

The party platform is the ...

a)

slate of candidates who will be running for office that belong to that party.

b)

location where candidates are to stand during a debate.

c)

roll of all members of the political party.

d)

list of views the party has on major campaign issues.

5.

Third parties do which of following?

a)

Have more members than the Republicans and Democrats.

b)

Often win elections.

c)

Focus on a specific issue and take away votes from the Republicans and Democrats.

d)

Raise the most money for their candidates.

6.

The United States has _______ dominant political parties?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

7.

When evaluating the following websites; which of them would you expect to show the least bias.

a)

www.Sanders2020.com

b)

www.democraticagenda.org

c)

www.elephantswin.com

d)

www.housevotes.gov

8.

The rising cost of campaigns has had which of the following consequences?

a)

More individuals are choosing to run for office.

b)

The price of political advertisements is decreasing.

c)

The cost to vote has been on the rise too.

d)

Led to the creation and greater influence of political action committees (PACs).

9.

Which of the following is not a factor that greatly influences voter turnout?

a)

Age

b)

Education

c)

Income

d)

Gender

10.

Which age group voted the most often according to the graph above?

a)

18-29

b)

30-44

c)

45-59

d)

60+

11.

You must meet all of the following requirements to vote in Virginia except?

a)

Be at least 18 years old.

b)

Be a resident of Virginia.

c)

Be a holder of a valid driver's license.

d)

Be a citizen of the United States.

12.

People fail to vote for all the following reasons EXCEPT?

a)

Lack of interest.

b)

The high cost of registering to vote.

c)

Don't believe their vote matters.

d)

Fail to register to vote.

13.

The final decision for who should be President of the United States is made by the ...

a)

popular vote

b)

state legislatures

c)

Supreme Court

d)

Electoral College

14.

This type of election generally has the highest voter turnout.

a)

Presidential

b)

Gubernatorial

c)

Senatorial

d)

Local

15.

Which of these individuals would be able to register and vote in the state of Virginia?

a)

Caiden Roupe

b)

Abby Lane

c)

Gage Akers

d)

Drew Smith

16.

What determines the number of electors each state receives in the electoral college?

a)

The geographic size of the state.

b)

The amount of tax dollars collected from the state.

c)

The year the state entered the United States.

d)

The number of members it receives in Congress based on its population.

17.

You must receive at least ________ electoral votes to become President.

a)

The most electoral votes regardless of number.

b)

270

c)

350

d)

130

18.

Which of the individuals in the chart above is most likely to vote in the next election?

a)

Blaire Waldorf

b)

Chuck Bass

c)

Nate Archibald

d)

Georgina Sparks

19.

The Preamble is important because it...

a)

Describes the structure of the U.S. government.

b)

Outlines the freedoms and protections individuals have.

c)

Establishes independence from Great Britain.

d)

Sets out the purposes of the government and reasons for writing the Constitution.

20.

Which purpose of the U.S. government stated in the Preamble most relates to the weaknesses of the Articles of the Confederation?

a)

Form a more perfect union.

b)

Establish justice.

c)

Promote the general welfare.

d)

Secure the blessings of liberty and prosperity.

21.

The federal court system best meets what purpose stated in the Preamble to the Constitution?

a)

Form a more perfect union.

b)

Establish justice.

c)

Promote the general welfare.

d)

Provide for common defense.

22.

Why have there been so few amendments made to the U.S. Constitution in over 200 years?

a)

The nation has seen few changes since it was founded.

b)

The President often refuses to approve amendments that have been passed.

c)

The Constitution sets strict limit on the number of changes that may be made.

d)

The process to make an amendment is long and complex.

23.

Which fundamental political principle is exemplified in the quotation below?


"...The right of the people to feel secure (safe) in their houses against unreasonable search and seizures may not be violated ( by the government)..."

a)

consent of the government

b)

rule of law

c)

limited government

d)

representative government

24.

This document created a weak central government and led to the writing of the Constitution.

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Virginia Declaration of Rights

d)

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

25.

What are the two ways of obtaining citizenship in the United States?

a)

Sign an official document and vote

b)

Birth and naturally

c)

Birth and naturalization

d)

Birth and death

26.

Immigration and naturalization, particularly in the 20th century, have led to _____.

a)

an increasingly diverse society.

b)

an increasingly wealthy society.

c)

an increasingly poor society.

d)

an increasingly entitled society.

27.

According to the graph above which of the following statements would be correct?

a)

The number of immigrants in the United States continues to decrease.

b)

The percent of the population that is made up of immigrants remains below 10%.

c)

Immigration was at its highest from 1900-1920.

d)

The number of immigrants in the United States is currently the highest it has been since 1900.

28.

The first amendment would protect which of the following actions? Select all that apply.

a)

Possessing a firearm for the protection of your household.

b)

The right to peacefully gather and protest a bill based by Congress.

c)

Publishing an article in the New York Times that criticizes President Trump.

d)

Voting in the upcoming election for candidates who best reflect your own views.

e)

The United States government not establishing Christianity as a national religion.

29.

This image from the March for the Right to Vote best reflects which of our 1st Amendment freedoms?

a)

Press

b)

Religion

c)

Assembly

d)

Petition

30.

This political cartoon makes the argument that which freedom is essential to our democracy?

a)

Speech

b)

Press

c)

Assembly

d)

Petition

31.

What is true of all rights and freedoms that are granted to citizens by the U.S. Constitution?

a)

They are limited and no right or freedom is absolute.

b)

They apply only to those who have reached 18 years of age.

c)

They are all listed in the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

d)

They are based on race and religious preferences.

32.

The protection individuals have from unfair actions by the government such as being arrested without being charged is known as?

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Federalism

d)

Due Process

33.

Actions that are required by law so that our government may be effective of all U.S. citizens are known as what?

a)

Civic Mandates

b)

Civic Duties

c)

Civic Responsibilities

d)

Civic Trusts

34.

Select the following actions that are considered civic duties. Choose all that apply.

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
35.

What is the difference between civic duties and civic responsibilities?

a)

Civic duties only apply to those who are over 18 years of age.

b)

Civic responsibilities are more important.

c)

Civic responsibilities are mandatory actions.

d)

Civic duties have legal consequences if not performed.

36.

What is required of all citizens in a democratic society?

a)

Mandatory attendance in elections.

b)

Active participation in society.

c)

Holding elected positions in the government.

d)

Organizing protests against unjust actions.

37.

Which of the following are examples of performing community service choose all that apply.

a)

Studying for a test so that you get a better grade.

b)

Volunteering to help your church clean up along the sides of the highway.

c)

Tutoring younger students in your school.

d)

Participating on a recreational sports team.

e)

Spending time with the residents at a local nursing home.

38.

Which of the following actions are considered civic responsibilities? Choose all that apply.

a)

Registering and voting in elections.

b)

Obeying the laws.

c)

Participating in politics or holding elective office.

d)

Respecting the rights and opinions of others.

e)

Serving in the armed forces if drafted.

39.

In the US, the government gets its power from the people. What political principle is this?

a)

Representative Government

b)

Rule of Law

c)

Consent of the Governed

d)

Limited Government

40.

In November, Ms. Shelley will go vote and elect people to work in the government for her. Which principle is this showing?

a)

Rule of Law

b)

Representative Government

c)

Consent of the Governed

d)

Democracy

41.

Which early document gave the colonists the rights of Englishmen?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Virginia Declaration of Rights

c)

Charters of the Virginia Company of London

d)

Articles of Confederation

42.

What creates our government and and guarantees our rights?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Constution

d)

Virginia Stature for Religious Freedom