WorksheetsGovernment Unit 1 Study Guide
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 52mins
The rule of law is responsible for the constitutional principle that:
the president can change any law
the laws do not apply to government leaders
laws must be approved by all voters
no person is free to ignore the law
The Bill of Rights limits government power by:
allowing citizens to remove leaders from office at any time
making sure that all citizens can agree on laws that affect their lives
stopping the government from taking freedoms away from citizens
giving each branch of government some power over the others
Which statement might have been made by an Anti-Federalist?
We don't need a Bill of Rights.
Most power should go to the federal government, not the states.
We need a strong military to protect ourselves.
We are afraid the new government will abuse its power.
The Great Compromise established:
a legislative branch made up of two houses.
that slavery was illegal and must end by 1808.
that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person.
a legislative branch made up of only one house.
What is the next step after Congress proposes and approves an amendment to the Constitution?
The amendment is sent to the states for their approval.
The Supreme Court decides whether the amendment is legal.
The president determines whether to veto the amendment.
The amendment is officially added to the 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 defence, 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.
- Preamble to the US Constitution
What is the purpose of the phrase "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" in the Preamble?
To show that the people hold all political power in the country
To state that the government is expected to protect American freedoms
To guarantee that the U.S. government will have separation of powers
To place strict limits on the power of the U.S. federal government
Which constitutional amendment guarantees that all citizens receive equal protection under the law?
13th
16th
15th
14th
Why did the founding fathers include a Bill of Rights in the US Constitution?
To give states power over the federal government
To allow future generations to change the Constitution
To allow African Americans to become full citizens
To guarantee protections for all American citizens
Reserved powers, such as setting up local governments, are given to:
only the federal government.
neither the federal government nor state governments
only the state governments.
both the federal and state governments.
Federalism is a system that:
keeps the military from gaining too much power.
gives different powers to state and federal governments.
places limits on the power of the Supreme Court.
allows citizens to vote on who will serve as leaders.
the support of a government in which the people elect leaders represent them
republicanism
federalism
democracy
popular sovereignty
the Enlightenment belief that the government gets its power from the consent of the people
republicanism
federalism
democracy
popular sovereignty
a set of rights or freedoms that belong to all people and cannot be taken away by people or government
bill of rights
natural rights
human rights
popular rights
an Enlightenment idea in which citizens give up some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and stability provided by the government
republicanism
federalism
social contract
popular sovereignty
Which statement best describes how the Enlightenment idea of the social contract influenced the creation of the US government?
It proposed the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
It established the basis for the rule of law, which means that everyone in a country must obey the law.
It listed the rights that all people had and that no government could take away.
It established the idea that the government has the authority to rule only if it protects the rights of the people.
Which excerpt from the Constitution most clearly limits the power of the government?
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Congress shall have the 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.
Identify three ways in which the US Constitution limits the power of the government.
It gives state governments more power than the federal government.
It separates power into three branches.
It divides power between the national and state governments.
It puts limits on the number of times taxes can be raised.
It denies the government the power to take away certain rights.
The US Constitution lists the freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. Which Enlightenment idea is this based on?
Popular sovereignty
Republicanism
Natural rights
Social contract
an armed uprising that affected the debates about the Articles of Confederation and the setup of the government of the United States
Whiskey Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion
Boston's Rebellion
Brown's Rebellion
A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that called for representation in Congress to be based on state populations.
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Pennsylvania Plan
New Hampshire Plan
A plan introduced at the Constitutional Convention that called for one house of Congress in which every state would have the same number of representatives.
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Pennsylvania Plan
New Hampshire Plan
How did the Constitution set up a system of federalism?
The Constitution created a system in which state governments have more power than the federal government.
The Constitution created a system in which state governments have no powers.
The Constitution created a system in which the federal government shares power with the states.
The Constitution created a system in which the federal government has no power.
A group of people who favored a strong national government and supported the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Republicans
Democrats
A group of people who opposed the creation of a stronger national government and later opposed the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Republicans
Democrats
Identify three topics that Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed on.
Including a bill of rights in the Constitution
Deciding who should be president
Building a national system of roads
Strengthening the federal government
Giving the federal government the power to tax
Identify three weaknesses of the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation.
The government could cancel state laws by passing federal laws
The government had too many branches.
The government had difficulty keeping its agreements with foreign countries.
The government had trouble keeping the peace.
The government was not able to collect taxes from states.
What did most delegates from the southern states at the Constitutional Convention believe about slavery?
They wanted all slaves to count toward a state's population.
They wanted each slave to count as three-fifths of a person.
They wanted slavery to be outlawed and current slaves to be freed.
They didn't want slaves to count toward a state's population.
The US Constitution creates a government with
dozens of small branches that compete for power.
a group of judges who make and enforce all laws.
a powerful president and a weak Congress.
three branches that have roughly equal power.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, 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.
- Preamble to the US Constitution
A politician says that Congress formed the US government and now controls it. Which phrase from the Preamble rejects that idea?
in Order to form a more perfect Union
establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility
secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity
We the People of the United States
The Nineteenth Amendment protects voting rights for:
the elderly
all races
former slaves
women
The Thirteenth Amendment protects individual rights by:
guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens
outlawing poll tax requirements for voting
making it illegal to hold people in slavery
granting people of all races the right to vote
How did incorporation of the Bill of Rights affect state governments?
State governments could decide how to apply Bill of Rights protections.
State governments were required to provide most Bill of Rights protections.
State governments had to include a way to amend their constitutions.
State governments did not have to provide Bill of Rights protections.
Federalism limits government power by:
forcing the federal government to follow the dual federalism model.
giving states the power to reject federal laws they don't like.
keeping state and federal governments from collecting taxes.
making sure state and federal governments have to work together.
The principle of separation of powers limits govern power by:
making sure nobody in the government has too much authority.
letting citizens vote to remove leaders they dislike at any time.
preventing the government from taking certain freedoms away from citizens.
making sure that laws apply to leaders and common citizens.
Which statement might have been made by a Federalist?
Our biggest concern about the new government is corruption.
We cannot ratify the Constitution without a bill of rights.
If the government is weak, the country won't run well.
We should only have an army in times of war.
During debates about slavery at the Constitutional Convention, delegates from northern states believed that:
slaves should count toward a state's population.
slaves should not count toward a state's population.
each slave should count as three-fifths of a person in a state's population.
slaves should continue to be brought into the country.
What is the first step in amending the US Constitution?
A member of Congress proposes the amendment.
The Supreme Court rules that an amendment is needed.
The president calls for the new amendment.
The amendment passes in a nationwide election.
Concurrent powers, such as taxation, are granted to:
neither the federal government nor state governments.
both the federal and state governments.
only the state governments
only the federal government.
Which of these political leaders contributed MOST significantly to the framing of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
How does democracy protect minority rights?
by not allowing the passage of unsatisfactory public policies
by recognizing that the minority usually represents the popular will
by permitting the minority to overrule the majority on vital public issues
by insisting that the majority listen to the arguments and ideas of the minority
What does the term citizenship describe?
It describes citizens' ability to become naturalized.
It describes citizens' level of civic participation.
It describes citizens' level of voter apathy.
It describes citizens' rights and responsibilities.
Which step is required in the process for becoming a naturalized citizen?
Marrying a person with US citizenship
Serving in the U.S. military or government
Voting in a presidential election
Passing a test on U.S. history and civics
Every male US citizen over the age of 18 must sign up with the Selective Service. If a war breaks out, these men could be required to serve in the military.
Which option best explains why this statement describes a civic duty and not a civic responsibility?
Only citizens over the age of 18 are required to sign up.
The rule deals with issues of war and national safety.
The rule does not apply equally to male and female citizens.
Citizens do not have a choice about signing up.
Which example describes a primary source?
An analysis of a speech given by British prime minister Margaret Thatcher
A memoir written by British prime minister Margaret Thatcher about her career
A song written about the politics of British prime minister Margaret Thatcher
An article about British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's role in the Cold War
Which example describes a secondary source?
A statue of Cleopatra created by an Egyptian artist in 49 BCE
An encyclopedia entry about the life and importance of Cleopatra
An account of Cleopatra's death written by an Egyptian historian in 30 BCE
A letter written by a Roman soldier in which he describes first seeing Cleopatra in the summer of 48 BCE
those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out in the Constitution; also called the "enumerated powers"
concurrent powers
implied powers
expressed powers
reserved powers
clause requiring that each State accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Privileges and Immunities Clause
Supremacy Clause
Elastic Clause
those delegated powers of the National Government that are suggested by the enumerated powers set out in the Constitution; those "necessary and proper" to carry out the enumerated powers
concurrent powers
implied powers
expressed powers
reserved powers
Which of the following is a basic power of every government that allows it to interpret laws?
political power
legislative power
executive power
judicial power
Some people believe the organization of the Senate is undemocratic because
the States' equal representation in the Senate does not reflect the country's population distribution.
the President's ability to call special sessions gives him too much control over the Senate.
the senators often do not work to represent the majority view in their States.
the legislature's bicameral structure gives more power to the Senate than to the House of Representatives.
Which of the following accurately describes the divine right of kings and the social contract theories?
The divine right of kings and the social contract theories hold that government power derives from a divinity.
The divine right of kings theory holds that the power of government derives from a divinity; the social contract theory holds that the power of government is acquired through force.
The divine right of kings and the social contract theories hold that government power derives from a social contract that requires the people to obey their ruler as they would a god.
The divine right of kings theory holds that the power of government derives from a divinity; the social contract theory holds that the power of government is acquired from the people.
Which of the following is the most likely reason the phrase "the laws of nature and nature's God" was included in the Declaration of Independence?
The writers of the Declaration of Independence respected the natural world.
The writers of the Declaration of Independence wanted to send a message to King George that nature was the most powerful force in the world.
The writers of the Declaration of Independence believed in nature's law and nature's God as part of their religion.
The writers of the Declaration of Independence used the phrase to express their belief in John Locke's theory of natural rights.
Which statement BEST describes the reason for growing tensions between Great Britain and the colonies in the years after King George III took the throne?
The British condemned the Albany Plan of 1754.
The colonists were continually attacked by the French and their Native American allies.
Parliament raised taxes and restricted trade without consulting colonial legislatures.
Colonial legislatures had to pay royal governors.
Which of the following provides an example of how the principle of checks and balances works?
The national court system spans the country; each of the 50 states has its own court system.
A Democrat occupies the White House; Republicans control the House and Senate.
The President selects a federal judge; the Senate has to approve the nomination.
The government is not all-powerful; it can only do what the people give it the power to do.
What is the difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy?
An autocracy is a form of dictatorship. An oligarchy is a form of democracy.
In an autocracy, a small group of people hold the power. In an oligarchy, a single person holds the power.
An autocracy is a form of democracy. An oligarchy is a form of dictatorship.
In an autocracy, a single person holds the power. In an oligarchy, a small group of people hold the power.
The Articles of Confederation reflected the colonists' desire for
a strong executive branch.
a bicameral legislature.
State sovereignty.
a strong judicial branch.
Only 17 amendments have been added to the Constitution since the adoption of the Bill of Rights, in part because
no major changes have occurred in the United States over the last 200 years.
Congress has not proposed any amendments since the 27th Amendment was ratified.
the Bill of Rights fully guarantees all citizens their rights.
the method for the ratification of amendments is quite rigorous.
Which of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was MOST directly related to Shays' Rebellion?
the policy of one vote in Congress for each State
the carrying out of executive functions by congressional committees
the inability of Congress to levy taxes or regulate commerce
the lack of a national court system to settle disputes
The Supremacy Clause plays a key role in disputes among States, or between States and the National Government because
it provides a tool for "umpiring" conflicts among States or between States and the National Government.
it is used by both levels of government to enact major domestic policies that may conflict with the policies of other States or the National Government.
it provides a clear direction for judges heading criminal cases in State or federal courts.
it is used to decide which powers are "necessary and proper" when power disputes arise between States and/or the National Government.
Which of these compromises directly impacted the establishment of a two-house legislature in the U.S. Constitution?
the Missouri Compromise
the Connecticut Compromise
the Three-Fifths Compromise
the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
a power or privilege held to be common to all people and granted at birth by nature, not by society
natural rights
popular sovereignty
social contract
divine rights
the document approved in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress declaring that the 13 former colonies were free and independent states
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Constitution of the United States
Bill of Rights
the nation's first constitution, which was drafted in 1777 and created a framework for a loose confederation of states
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Constitution of the United States
Bill of Rights
to charge a government official with an offense committed while in office
acquit
indict
impeach
adjourn
Which English philosopher had the most significant influence on Patriot ideals?
Locke
Montesquieu
Rousseau
Voltaire
The Declaration of Independence is MOST accurately described as a list of
colonists' grievances against the British king.
colonists who supported separation from Britain.
suggestions for improving British rule of the colonies.
reasons why Britain would fail to defeat the colonies in battle.
What difficulty arose in interstate commerce under the Articles?
Certain states would only trade with the British.
States began raising tariffs against each other.
Southern and northern states would not open trade.
Certain states were far more powerful than others.
What was the main goal of the Federalist Papers?
calling for states to reject ratification
critiquing the Articles of Confederation
winning support for the Constitution
questioning Anti-Federalist ideologies
What was a major Anti-Federalist concern about the Constitution?
the system of checks and balances
the lack of a bill of rights
the Constitution would have a weaker central government
overprotection of individual rights
The Fifth Amendment says a person cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without
a fair and speedy trial.
a trial with a jury.
reasonable evidence.
due process of law.
Which protection was NOT part of the Bill of Rights?
People cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
The government cannot take private property without paying a fair price for it.
People cannot be denied their voting rights based upon race, color, and servitude.
People have the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
Which of the following is an example of a delegated power?
protecting copyrights
establishing schools
conducting elections
issuing marriage licenses
The only power specifically granted to the states in the Constitution is the power to:
tax imports and exports
calculate state funds
establish post offices.
ratify amendments.
Which amendment provides Congress the ability to grant themselves a pay raise, provided that the raise not go into effect until the start of the next congressional term?
27th
24th
23rd
21st
Which amendment grants citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote?
15th
19th
24th
26th
Which amendment establishes the procedures in case the president dies or is otherwise incapacitated while in office?
17th
25th
23rd
11th
Which amendment abolishes the poll tax?
12th
18th
24th
27th
Which amendment establishes the right to vote for president for citizens of Washington, DC?
16th
19th
21st
23rd
Which amendment establishes presidential term limits?
20th
22nd
25th
12th
Which amendment repeals prohibition?
18th
21st
23rd
27th
Which amendment moves the date of the start of term for Congress and the president from March to January?
20th
22nd
25th
12th
Which amendment grants women the right to vote?
15th
19th
23rd
26th
Which amendment prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol?
18th
21st
23rd
26th
Which amendment changes the method of election of US senators?
15th
17th
19th
21st
Which amendment establishes the income tax?
14th
10th
16th
8th
Which amendment grants the right to vote to every man, no matter race, color, or previous condition of servitude?
9th
13th
7th
15th
Which amendment establishes citizens, provides due process, and grants equal protection under the law to all citizens?
10th
12th
14th
16th
Which amendment abolishes slavery?
11th
13th
14th
15th
Which amendment changes the way that electors cast their vote in the Electoral College?
8th
10th
12th
14th
Which amendment prevents states from being sued in federal court without their consent?
11th
13th
19th
21st
Which amendment reserves powers to the states?
6th
8th
10th
4th
Which amendment guarantees rights to the people that aren't otherwise listed in the Constitution?
9th
7th
11th
5th
Which amendment guarantees protection from cruel and unusual punishment as well as from excessive fines and bail?
2nd
4th
6th
8th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the right to a trial by jury in a civil case?
3rd
5th
7th
9th
Which amendment guarantees you the right to a speedy and public trial, among other things?
7th
6th
5th
4th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the protection from self-incrimination, among other things?
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, among other things?
4th
5th
6th
8th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the right to refuse to quarter troops in their home?
1st
3rd
5th
7th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the right to bear arms?
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Which amendment guarantees citizens the freedom of petition, among other things?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
