WorksheetsAmerican Government EOC Ohio State Test Review
Total questions: 28
Worksheet time: 2hrs 20mins
Researching a civic issue involves determining which sources of information are relevant to the task, identifying the perspective or position of each source, and evaluating the credibility of the sources. Considerations involved with determining the credibility of sources and/or media outlets include: (CHECK ALL)
the qualifications/reputation of the writer and/or organization
the circumstances in which the source material was generated
internal consistency and agreement with other credible sources
use of supporting evidence and logical conclusions
evidence of bias or unstated assumptions
Basic principles which help define the government of the United States include: (CHECK ALL)
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Anti-Federalists argued: (CHECK ALL)
The Constitution was ratified (or SIGNED) and the Anti-Federalists achieved success with the limitations on government by the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
against Constitutional ratification
for supremacy of the state governments
for the need of a national bill of rights to protect citizens from the powers of the national government
against the "necessary and proper" and "supremacy" clauses
The Federalists argued: (CHECK ALL)
The Constitution was ratified (or SIGNED) and the Anti-Federalists achieved success with the limitations on government by the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
for Constitutional ratification
for the supremacy of the national government
for more powers to be given to the national government to address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (e.g., no power to tax and no national executive or judicial branches)
for the "necessary and proper" and "supremacy" clauses.
The constitutional government in the United States has changed over time as a result of amendments
(CHANGE or ADDITION) to the: (CHECK ALL)
U.S. Constitution
Supreme Court Decisions
Legislation
Informal Practices
Necessary and Proper Clause:
(CHECK ALL)
Elastic Clause
the clause in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that empowers Congress to make all laws "necessary and proper" for executing its other powers and those of the federal government as a whole.
Supremacy Clause: (CHECK ALL)
Article VI, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution.
The clause establishes the Constitution and federal laws as the “supreme Law of the Land,” above state laws.
The Bill of Rights was drafted to:
(CHECK ALL)
ensure the protection of civil liberties of the people
place limits on the federal government
The protection of civil liberties and limits on the federal government found in the Bill of Rights include, but are not limited to:
(CHECK ALL)
freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment: religion, assembly, press, petition, speech
the right to bear arms
no unreasonable search and seizure, no warrants without probable cause
no self-incrimination, protection against double jeopardy
right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, right to be informed of the charges, the right to confront one's accuser(s), the right to counsel
no cruel or unusual punishment
any power not given to the federal government is given to the states or the people.
The constitutional amendments are known collectively as the Reconstruction Amendments extended new constitutional protections to African Americans, though the struggle to fully achieve equality would continue.
The new constitutional protections extended under the Reconstruction Amendments include: (CHECK ALL)
abolishing slavery
defining and extending citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
prohibiting the states from denying due process and equal protection of the law to all persons
preventing the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude
These amendments were originally designed to protect African Americans. However, they did not result in immediate equality. Jim Crow laws were enacted to enforce racial segregation until the mid-20th century.
Application of these protections have been extended to other groups
Constitutional amendments have provided for civil rights such as suffrage for disenfranchised groups.
Some amendments prohibited the denial of voting rights based on the following: (CHECK ALL)
race, color, or previous condition of servitude
age (18-20-year-olds)
gender
Poll taxes also limited voting rights for poor people although they were originally designed to keep African Americans from voting.
Some amendments have altered the procedures of the Electoral College: (CHECK ALL)
Separate balloting for president and vice president was established to avoid a tie in electoral votes
The District of Columbia was granted electoral votes
What amendments have altered the functioning of government?
(CHECK ALL)
Presidential Term Limits
Presidential Succession and Disability
Laws are rules recognized as binding and enforced by a government.
Public policy consists of institutional actions and procedures pursued by a government in carrying out its functions.
What are the roles that each of the three branches of government has related to law and the creation of public policy? (CHECK ALL)
Legislative Branch:
• makes laws
• declares war; and
• imposes taxes
Executive Branch:
• enforces the law
• issues executive orders
• appoints and receives ambassadors
Judicial Branch:
• interprets the law
• hears cases with original jurisdiction
• hears appeals from lower courts
Current issues are addressed by all three branches of the government as they make public policy. The interactions among the branches range from instances where they work together in concert to instances involving the exercise of checks and balances. They are: (CHECK ALL)
legislative branch checking the executive: overrides vetoes, impeaches and removes civil officers, approves appointments and treaties
legislative branch checking the judicial: impeaches and removes federal judges, proposes constitutional amendments;
executive branch checking the legislative: vetoes legislation
executive branch checking the judicial: nominates federal judges, grants pardons and reprieves;
judicial branch checking the legislative: reviews and interprets the laws, declares acts unconstitutional
judicial branch checking the executive: reviews and interprets the laws, federal judges not subject to removal by the president, declares executive acts unconstitutional.
The interaction among the three branches of government is impacted by the following: (CHECK ALL)
• interest group involvement, e.g. proposing legislation, advocating rules, filing briefs
• political party control of the executive and legislative branches
• amount of public interest and nature of media coverage/commentary
• informal relationships among the members of each branch
The general responsibilities of citizenship include?
(CHECK ALL)
respecting the rule of law
paying taxes and fees
accepting responsibility for one’s actions
Responsibilities associated with the exercise of particular rights include: (CHECK ALL)
• right of free speech – engaging in civil discourse
• right to bear arms – receiving firearms training
• right to a jury trial – serving on juries
• right to vote – registering to vote and being informed on public issues
Citizenship also includes service to the nation which guarantees the rights of the people. This may include:
(CHECK ALL)
military service
community service
serving in public office
individual rights are relative, not absolute
the exercise of rights must be balanced by the rights of others and by the common good
Identify an issues related to the denial of civil rights to a particular minority group and explain how at least one branch of the federal government helped to extend civil rights or opportunities for participation to that group of people. (CHECK ALL)
constitutional amendments guaranteed suffrage to women and eliminated poll taxes as a means of restricting African Americans from voting.
The executive branch used troops to help integrate schools and brought charges against violators of open housing legislation.
The legislative branch enacted a series of civil rights acts and voting rights acts.
The U.S. Supreme Court, through the process of incorporation, has used the due process(FAIR TREATMENT) and equal protection clauses(requires states to practice equal protection) in the 14th Amendment to apply most of the federal Bill of Rights to the states.
. As a framework for the state, the Ohio Constitution has similarities and differences to the federal Constitution; it was changed in 1851 to address difficulties governing the state.
Similarities between the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions: (CHECK ALL)
• separation of powers into three branches (executive, judicial, legislative)
• checks and balances
• limited government
• bill of rights
• popular sovereignty; and
• elections.
As a framework for the state, the Ohio Constitution has similarities and differences to the federal Constitution; it was changed in 1851 to address difficulties governing the state.
Differences between the Ohio and U.S. Constitutions: (CHECK ALL)
Ohio Constitution:
• Citizens can directly vote on laws through initiative and referendum.
• Judges are elected.
• Legislators are term-limited.
U.S. Constitution:
• Legislators vote on laws for citizens.
• Judges are appointed.
• Legislators do not have term limits.
In 1851 a new Ohio Constitution was written which made several changes to improve governing including:
(CHECK ALL)
• Major executive officials and all judges were to be elected.
• District courts were added.
• Debt limitations were instituted.
Individuals in Ohio have a responsibility to assist state and local governments as they address relevant and often controversial problems that directly affect their communities.
Identify and explain roles that Ohio’s citizens can play in helping state and local government address problems facing their communities. (CHECK ALL)
Involvement at the state level can range from paying taxes to serving in the National Guard, running for state office, voting, and signing petitions to place issues on the ballot.
Involvement at the local level can range from organizing civic activities to running for local office, attending meetings of local boards and commissions, joining community watch groups, and serving in a volunteer fire department.
Public policy issues are matters of discussion and debate related to the functions of government. They frequently revolve around problems the government is attempting to address and the projected consequences of public policy decisions. Examples of different levels and different branches of government addressing public policy issues include: (CHECK ALL)
• federal executive – the Department of State, which advises the president on foreign policy and directs activities of embassies in foreign countries
• federal legislative – the Congressional Budget Office, which provides analyses of economic and budgetary data
• state legislative – the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, which assists in drafting legislation
• state judicial – the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas, which apply sentencing guidelines for convicted felons
• local legislative/executive–county commissions, which determine and grant tax abatements.
Individuals and organizations play a role within federal, state and local governments in helping to determine public (domestic and foreign) policy.
Individuals and organizations engage government officials on public policy using several methods. Individuals and organizations can: (CHECK ALL)
• campaign for candidates who will support their positions once in office
• provide information to executive branch officials on the impacts of potential rules and regulations
• lobby members of a legislature
• provide testimony before legislative committees
• propose laws to legislators
• prepare briefs to present during judicial proceedings
• offer comments during public meetings
• conduct letter-writing campaigns
• hold public demonstrations
Individuals and organizations must know the proper level and branch of government to engage at the various stages of making public policy.
The federal government uses spending and tax policy to maintain economic stability and foster economic growth. Regulatory actions carry economic costs and benefits.
Fiscal policy is government decision-making about taxing and spending in an attempt to regulate the American economy. In theory, the fiscal policy falls into two broad categories: (CHECK ALL)
• increased government spending and/or reduced taxes to encourage economic growth
• decreased government spending and/or increased taxes to slow economic growth.
The imposition of government regulations may foster economic benefits such as prohibiting unfair business practices and providing consumer protections. Government regulations may carry costs such as reduced corporate profits and slower economic growth.
The federal government uses fiscal policy to effect changes in the nation’s economic conditions.
The Federal Reserve System uses monetary tools to regulate the nation’s money supply and moderate the effects of expansion and contraction in the economy.
Monetary policy involves the Federal Reserve System making decisions about the nation’s money supply: (CHECK ALL)
To encourage economic growth, the Federal Reserve System can:
• reduce the amount of money that banks must have on reserve and not use to make loans;
• buy bonds; and
• take action that results in lower interest rates.
To slow economic growth the Federal Reserve System can:
• increase the amount of money that banks must have on reserve and not use to make loans;
• sell bonds; and
• take action that results in higher interest rates.
