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WorksheetsSDL Citizenship
Total questions: 43
Worksheet time: 4hrs 35mins
Read this excerpt from a newspaper article.
In 2017, the Patriot-News in Harrisburg, PA wrote the following about the position of lieutenant governor, asking “whether Pennsylvania can get along with an office whose occupant’s chief duties are to periodically check the governor’s pulse.”
What are they criticizing about the position of lieutenant governor?
The lieutenant governor competes with the governor for power.
The lieutenant governor only listens to to the governor.
The lieutenant governor doesn’t have enough real work to do.
The lieutenant governor is weaker than the legislature.
Which state is the only one state to have one house in the state legislature rather than two?
Georgia
Arizona
Nebraska
Montana
What is an effect of allowing states to elect judges?
It makes the judicial branch weaker than the executive branch.
It makes the attorney general a more powerful figure in the state government.
It allows citizens to have a choice in who interprets laws.
It makes the judicial branch weaker than the legislature.
Which of the following is the responsibility of the state legislature?
passing laws
presenting the budget
appointing judges
enforcing laws
Which of the following is the responsibility of the state legislature?
Its members are elected every two years.
There are only two branches of government.
There are two chambers or groups.
The governor is part of the legislature.
Which of the following is an example of a job done by a state employee?
building roads
running a pharmacy
managing a bank
building houses
When can a citizen appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court?
when the state’s governor gives permission
when they are unhappy with the decision in the state supreme court
when new facts in the case would change the verdict
when the state laws don’t agree with the federal laws
Why do states need their own court systems?
The federal government can’t enforce all laws.
The federal government’s court system is too strong.
Most laws are passed at the state level.
The federal government gave states this responsibility.
The federal government gave states this responsibility.
A governor vetoes a law.
A governor is elected.
A judge is elected.
A legislature passes a new law.
How do state governments look like the federal government?
They have a president and vice president.
They have the same term-limits for elected officials.
They have three branches of government.
They have the exact same responsibilities.
The governor is the head of which part of government?
state legislative branch
state judicial branch
state senate
state executive branch
In a state government, the secretary of state is responsible for overseeing which of the following?
elections
law enforcement
wildlife
the budget
Which amendment gives state governments powers that are not given to the federal government?
tenth amendment
eighth amendment
ninth amendment
twelfth amendment
What was it about George Washington’s life that made people look at him as a model of civic virtue?
He inspired others to make sacrifices.
He worked harder than everybody else did.
He was willing to sacrifice for the community.
He was a great soldier and leader.
Read the quote below.
“I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”
— George Washington
Why did Washington think honesty was so important in a democracy?
Honesty encouraged people to vote for the most virtuous leaders.
Honesty encouraged people to work for goals other than money.
Honesty encouraged people to be fair and open, especially if they were powerful.
Honesty encourage people to listen to their leaders.
Why did George Washington agree to become president?
He wanted to serve the country.
He believed that he would make more money than farming.
He wanted the fame and glory of the job.
He believed he was the best person for the job.
Which of the following is the best definition of a citizen?
a member of a military
a person who makes decisions
a leader of a country
a full member of a country
Why is free enterprise an important idea for citizens in a democracy?
Citizens can leave some business decisions up to the government.
Citizens can decide what businesses they want to create.
Citizens can elect leaders that support their businesses.
Citizens need help from the government to run businesses.
What is the name for a democracy with a king or queen?
indirect democracy
dictatorship
republic
constitutional monarchy
What is direct democracy?
All citizens vote on laws.
Citizens watch officials make decisions.
All citizens can become elected officials.
Citizens vote to pick elected officials.
Which of the following is an example of civic virtue?
getting a job
voting responsibly
spending money
eating healthy
Why do there need to be responsibilities for citizens in a democracy?
It gives the government less work to do.
It teaches citizens to not spend money.
It keeps leaders thinking about citizens want.
Democracies only work through group participation.
Why is it easier to run a republic than a direct democracy?
A direct democracy works best with many citizens.
When there are lots of citizens, a direct democracy is hard to run.
When there are choices to make, a republic gives citizens more options.
A republic has fewer laws and decisions to make.
Read the quote below.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire..., then they will have to sit on their blisters.”
— Abraham Lincoln
What is Lincoln suggesting is important in a democracy?
Voters need to be successful to vote well.
Voters need to run for office themselves.
Voters need to attack dangerous things.
Voters need to pay attention to issues.
Where was democracy first adopted as a kind of government?
Egypt
China
Greece
Rome
Why is compromise important in a democracy?
It leads to more more decisions and policies.
People need to give something up to accomplish things together.
It reduces unhappiness with unpopular decisions.
It allows leaders to pick the easiest choice and limit discussion.
Why is the protection of minority rights important in a democracy?
It encourages people to speak up without fear.
It allows the majority to act more easily.
It encourages disagreement and discussion.
It prevents the majority from doing whatever they want.
What does “civic virtue” mean?
encouraging others to be good
being good in one’s own life
trying to be successful in one’s own life
acting in a way that’s good for the community
Which of the following is one of the responsibilities of citizenship?
paying taxes
serving on a jury
writing laws
running for office
Translated from the ancient Greek, what does “democracy” mean?
majority rule
rule by the people
fair rule
representative rule
Which of the following is one of the limitations of trying to act ethically?
Ethics are not particularly useful in politics.
Ethical decisions have to be made based on the situation.
Ethics only thinks in terms of benefits.
Ethics encourages people to sacrifice what they want for the greater good.
Why is it important to evaluate a decision after you’ve made it?
to not feel as bad if you made the wrong decision
to explain to others why you acted the way that you did
to think about what you do the same or differently in the future
to think about how happy you are with what you decided to do
What kind of democracy is the United States?
direct democracy
limited democracy
representative democracy
equal democracy
Why is it important to identify the pros and cons when making a decision?
It teaches you what you like and don’t like.
It helps you talk with other people.
It allows you to quickly make a decision.
It helps you to make a strong choice.
Which of the following best describes an informed decision?
refusing to act until you know everything
asking somebody who knows more to make a decision for you
making a decision with as much information as possible
guessing what the best thing to do would be
Why is ethics important in a democracy?
It teach people how to recognize costs and benefits.
It teaches people how to take charge of their own lives.
It encourages people to make money for paying taxes.
It encourages people to be honest and fair when dealing with others.
Which of the following is an example of a government making a decision using costs and benefits?
A governor asks citizens to vote on what they would like to do.
A politician holds a town hall to get information.
A politician votes to give money for disaster relief.
A treasurer chooses what to spend money on based what the budget is.
Why is it important to have a system of ethics for decision-making?
Ethics encourages people to compromise.
Ethics helps people to identify how to talk to groups of people.
Ethics helps people to understand costs and benefits.
Ethics encourages people to not act selfishly.
How do groups make decisions in a way that makes everybody happy or willing to accept it?
The group picks one decision at random so that the process is fair.
One person makes a decision and persuades everybody else to accept it.
The members of a group outline what their ideas are and find the decision most of them will accept.
The group supports whoever has the strongest opinion to make the decision.
Which of the following is a good example of a political compromise?
A politician adds something to a bill in exchange for somebody else voting for it.
A representative votes to pass all of the bills written by members of his party.
A governor refuses to support bills written by people he disagrees with.
One senator refuses to vote for anyone’s bills except his own.
Why do politicians have to consider what voters might want in a democracy?
Citizens decide how much politicians should be paid.
They want to be friendly with all of the people that they serve.
Ignoring them could mean they vote against him in the next election.
Citizens are given chances to vote on laws.
Nina must choose between doing her homework for school or playing with her dog. She chooses to do her homework. Which of the following explains why she choose that way?
She didn’t think she would have fun playing with her dog.
She felt that the costs of not doing her homework outweighed the benefits of playing.
She didn’t think homework had any costs if she did it.
She felt it was an ethical issue of right and wrong.
Which of the following is the best definition for a cost?
what you receive in exchange for doing something
someone’s goal in exchange for doing something
what you don’t like about something
something you give up or exchange to do something else
