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Civic Literacy Practice Exam 1

Total questions: 31

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which point of view is reflected in Common Sense?

a)

The monarchy creates limited government

b)

The monarchy supports self-government

c)

Representatives should be appointed

d)

Representatives should be elected

2.

Which is a core theme of the Federalist Papers?

a)

The proposed Bill of Rights should be ratified

b)

State governments should have greater say in decisions of the federal government

c)

Federal action should require approval by a majority of the states

d)

The proposed Constitution should be ratified

3.

How did the holding in the United States Supreme Court case Miranda v Arizona (1966) impact criminal defendants?

a)

It established that defendants had the right to counsel

b)

It established that defendants were protected against self-incrimination

c)

It established that defendants had freedom of speech

d)

It established that defendants had the right to a speedy trial.

4.

Which of the following documents provided a rationale for the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

U.S. Constitution

c)

Common Sense

d)

Federalist Papers

5.

What is the minimum number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing each state?

a)

one

b)

two

c)

four

d)

three

6.

Who signs proposed bills into federal law?

a)

the President

b)

the Speaker of the House

c)

the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

d)

the Majority Leader of the Senate

7.

Which right from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the Constitution's first amendment?

a)

'election of members... ought to be free"

b)

"to petition the king"

c)

"may have arms for their defense"

d)

"excessive bail ought not to be required"

8.

Which of the following documents provided an outline for a state-centered government?

a)

Federalist Papers

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Common Sense

9.

What is one right included in the First Amendment?

a)

legal representation

b)

bear arms

c)

jury trial

d)

free speech

10.

What is the highest federal court in the United States?

a)

the Circuit Court

b)

the District Court

c)

the Supreme Court

d)

the Court of Appeals

11.

Which is a shared power in the federal system?

a)

collecting taxes

b)

declaring war

c)

establishing post offices

d)

making treaties

12.

Which government officials are elected by the people?

a)

mayors

b)

federal congressional staffers

c)

federal court judges

d)

bureaucrats

13.

What is the social contract?

a)

The government requires new citizens to register to vote

b)

The people give up some liberty to receive governmental protection

c)

The people promise to not commit crimes as a condition of parole

d)

The government promises to protect countries that become independent

14.

what are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called>

a)

the Articles of Confederation

b)

the Bill of Rights

c)

the Federalist Papers

d)

the Declaration of Rights

15.

which structure found in the Constitution was added as a response to a concern expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

limited monarchy

b)

separation of powers

c)

universal suffrage

d)

unitary government

16.

What is popular sovereignty?

a)

rule by an oligarchy

b)

rule by the people

c)

rule by a monarch

d)

rule by a dictator

17.

The colonists used a political cartoon with the caption "Join or Die" to support which action?

a)

establishing their own schools

b)

forming their own government

c)

creating local communities

d)

promoting international treaties

18.

Which phrase from the English Bill of Rights (1689) is reflected in the Constitution's Third Amendment?

a)

"That...keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace..is against law"

b)

"That excessive bail ought not to be required...nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted"

c)

"That election of members...ought to be free"

d)

"That the...power of suspending the laws...without consent of Parliament is illegal"

19.

Based on the Constitution, which part of government was intended to hold the least power?

a)

the legislative branch

b)

the judiciary

c)

the executive branch

d)

the military

20.

which part of government was created to reflect the colonists' position that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed?

a)

the bureaucracy

b)

the legislature

c)

the judiciary

d)

the executive

21.

What are two natural rights identified in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

bear arms and life

b)

jury trials and liberty

c)

jury trials and bear arms

d)

life and liberty

22.

Which phrase from a letter written by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 reflects a freedom in the Bill of Rights?

a)

"Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation"

b)

"building a wall of separation between Church and State"

c)

"my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents"

d)

"the legitimate powers of government reach actions only"

23.

What right did the colonists consider "inalienable" in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

voting

b)

privacy

c)

pursuit of happiness

d)

trial by jury

24.

Which of the following represents the principle of consent of the governed?

a)

The people debate on social media

b)

the people elect the chief justice of the supreme court

c)

individuals have the right to jury trials

d)

individuals elect members of the House of Representatives

25.

Which of the following is a right reserved for U.S. citizens only?

a)

getting an education

b)

running for federal office

c)

purchasing a home

d)

working for pay

26.

What is the length of a U.S. Senator's elected term?

a)

six years

b)

eight years

c)

two years

d)

four years

27.

Which of the following represents the goal of the Supremacy Clause?

a)

the U.S. Supreme Court may decide to reject an appeal from a lower court

b)

Congress may settle disputes between the United States and another country

c)

Presidents may not form congressional committees

d)

States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws

28.

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

a)

the residents of a single congressional district

b)

the residents of Washington, D.C.

c)

the residents of several states

d)

the residents of a single state

29.

What is the length of a U.S. President's elected term?

a)

six years

b)

four years

c)

two years

d)

eight years

30.

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

a)

the Majority Leader

b)

the Chief Justice

c)

the President

d)

the Speaker

31.

Which document represents the supreme law of the land?

a)

the Declaration of Independence

b)

the U.S. Constitution

c)

the Mayflower Compact

d)

the Articles of Confederation