Font size
WorksheetsSS Practice Test Unit 5--Governing the Nation
Total questions: 34
Worksheet time: 9hrs 30mins
Under the Articles of Confederation, which of these powers did Congress have?
to collect taxes
to declare war
to create an army
to enforce laws
What was one major shortcoming of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government was too weak.
The people did not elect national leaders.
The people were taxed without representation.
The President was too much like a king.
The different currencies printed in each state under the Articles of Confederation created problems with commerce in the United States.
What does the word commerce mean in the sentence above?
delgates
power
taxes
trade
Which event in 1787 caused many leaders in the United States to call for a Constitutional Convention?
the election of George Washington as President
the mutiny of Revolutionary soldiers
the signing of the Treaty of Paris
The outbreak of Shay's Rebellion
Which of these problems in the United States was highlighted by the events of Shay's Rebellion?
the poor treatment of American Indians
the weakness of the national government
the need to collect higher taxes
the need for improved transportation
Under the federal system developed in 1787, what in the United States would be the supreme law of the land?
the Supreme Court
the Constitution
the Bill of Rights
the Articles of Confederation
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention had to compromise over the issue of state representation in Congress.
What does the word compromise mean in the sentence above?
to give up some of what you want in order to reach an agreement
to issue a formal group statement
to force one side in a conflict to agree to what you want
to call an important meeting.
About which question did the delegates at the Constitutional Convention argue?
How strong should the national government be?
How should representation in Congress be divided among political parties?
What courts should be created besides the Supreme Court?
How should new immigrants be counted in each state's population?
Under the Thee-Fifths Compromise, which group in the United States was not totally included in each state's population count for representation in Congress?
men who did not own property
indentured servants
slaves
women
What is the purpose of the Constitution, according to the Preamble?
to create a fairer form of government
to declare independence from Britain
to list the rights of the people
to establish laws for election
Why did the writers of the Constitution divide the powers of the federal government among three branches?
to allow leaders to make decisions without worrying about elections
to prevent any one branch from controlling the government
to ensure that all power belonged to the people
to set guidelines for making amendments to the Constitution
What is the main job of the legislative branch of the federal government?
to carry out laws
to decide if laws follow the Constitution
to make laws
to enforce laws set up by the Constitution
According to the Constitiution, Congress has the power to impeach a President for failing to faithfully execute the laws.
What does the word impeach mean in the sentence above?
to imprison
to accuse of crimes
to override a veto
to remove from office
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
to protect the rights of the pople
to make sure all people have the right to vote
to create a system of checks and balances in government
to outline the powers of each branch of the federal government
Why did many delegates insist on adding ten amendments to the Constitution soon after it was ratified?
to establish guidelines for political parties
to protect the basic rights of the people
to outline the powers of each branch of government
to limit the powers of state governments
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury..."
-Sixth Amendment,
Constitution of the United States
Which fundamental right do these words illustrate?
due process of law
freedom of speech
peaceful assembly
reserved powers
Which term describes the system by which each branch of the government can limit the power of the other two branches?
checks and balances
federal system
reserved powers
republic
Which group is made up of the President's most important advisors?
Supreme Court
Congress
House of Representatives
Cabinet
Select TWO groups that are part of the Legislative Branch.
President's Cabinet
The House of Representatives
The Supreme Court
The Senate
The President
Which example did George Washington set for future Presidents of the United States?
He did not belong to a political party.
He served only two terms.
He allowed Congress to select his Cabinet.
He vetoed all taxation bills.
Our American constitutional democracy is based on the principle of individual liberty.
What does the word democracy mean in the sentence above?
a form of government in which the people rule
a written law of government
a system of beliefs
a fight for equal treatment under the law
When Americans sing "The Star Spangled Banner," our national anthem, or recite the Pledge of Allegiance, they express their patriotism.
What does the word patriotism mean in the sentence above?
a symbol of freedom
the love of one's country
a system of beliefs
one's rights of citizenship
As part of the naturalization process, what do immigrants have to swear to do?
to learn about American history
to live in the United States for the rest of their lives
to vote in all national elections
to support and defend the Constitution
As part of the naturalization process, people must take an oath to defend the Constitution.
What does the word naturalization mean in the sentence above?
the act of moving from one country to live in another
an election to public office
to the process of becoming a legal citizen of the United States
a formal declaration of rights
Select all the statements that are true for the Executive Branch:
Nominates Supreme Court Justices
Can rule that a law is unconstitutional
Can veto a bill passed by Congress
Can rule the President's actions unconstitutional
is led by the President
Select all of the true statements about the Legislative Branch:
Approves appointments of the Supreme Court justices
Can override the President's veto of a bill
Is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate
Can veto a law passed by Congress
Can rule the President's actions unconstitutional
Select the true statements about the Judicial Brach
Can override the President's veto of a bill
Can rule that a law is unconstitutional
Is made up of the Supreme Court
Can rule the President's actions unconstitutional
Nominates Supreme Court justices
Controlling trade with foreign countries, declaring war and making peace, making immigration and citizenship laws, printing and coining money, and setting up/maintaining an army and navy are the responsibility of:
the National Government
both the National and the State Governments
the State Governments
Mrs. Beck
Borrowing money, establishing banks, collecting taxes, making laws, and setting up court systems are all powers of:
the National Government
both the National and the State Governments
the State Governments
Mrs. Beck
Conducting elections, controlling trade within the state, setting qualifications for voting, setting up local governments, and setting up public schools are all the responsibility of:
the National Government
both the National and the State Governments
the State Governments
Mrs. Beck
Which even in 1920 helped ensure that all people were represented in the nation's democracy?
The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
Congress passed the Voting Rights Act.
Congress passed the Civil Rights Act.
The Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote in national elections.
Which symbol of the United States is honored in the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner"?
the American flag
the Liberty Bell
the Statue of Liberty
Uncle Sam
What was the main goal of the Civil Rights movement?
to gain equal treatment under the law for all citizens
to make sure elections are fair
to form workers' unions
to ensure equal economic status for all citizens
After you have identified a problem, what is the second step of taking action as a responsible citizen?
Take action to solve the problem.
Learn about the problem, and think of solutions.
Decide what you can do to help.
Review your actions to see if the results are what you expected.
