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U.S. Government Exam Study Guide

Total questions: 103

Worksheet time: 2hrs 0mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The two major parties in America today are
a)

Federalist and Democratic Republican

b)

Federalist and Anti-Federalist

c)

Democrat and Republican

d)

We have a multi-party system

2.
1.  Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
John Adams
b)
John Hancock
c)
Ben Franklin
d)
Thomas Jefferson
3.
1.  How many Senators does each state have?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
4.
1.  How many representatives does each state have?
a)
2
b)
4
c)
10
d)
based on population
5.
1.  How many members are in the House of Representatives?
a)
16
b)
100
c)
435
d)
538
6.

1.  The role of the President is outlined in which article of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Article I

b)

Article II

c)

Article III

d)

Article IV

7.

1. In the Impeachment process, which body of government brings the formal charges/accusations against the president?

a)

Supreme Court

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Senate

d)

President's cabinet

8.
1.  Once Impeachment charges are approved, which body of government holds the trial and makes the final judgment?
a)

Supreme Court

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Senate

d)

President's Cabinet

9.
1.  The United States is an example of
a)
unitary gov
b)
confederation gov
c)
direct democracy
d)
representative democracy
10.
The president can check Congress by this power
a)
pardon
b)
override
c)
veto
d)
judicial review
11.

This branch of government is the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution as applied to laws.

a)

legislative

b)

congress

c)

executive

d)

judicial

12.

This term is used to describe the unique relationship between the state and national government in the United States.

a)

nullification

b)

states' rights

c)

federalism

d)

confederation

13.
Senators are elected for 
a)
2 year term
b)
4 year term
c)
6 year term
d)
life
14.
The power of judicial review means that the Supreme Court can ...
a)
declare laws passed by Congress or actions of the president unconstitutional
b)
review the Constitution and make laws
c)
review the Constitution and veto laws
d)
impeach a president or member of Congress for doing something unconstitutional
15.
The Anti-Federalists insisted on a Bill of Rights because they were concerned that
a)
the Constitution would not include separation of powers
b)
the new national government could trample on individual rights
c)
representation in the Senate would be based on population
d)
small states would have as much power as large states
16.

Select the best example of rule of law.

a)

The Supreme Court in US v Nixon, when it was decided that the President cannot use executive privilege to keep things secret if the nation's interests were at stake.

b)

The Supreme Court in Plessy v Ferguson where the court determined that segregation was allowed so long as the separate accommodations were equal

c)

The 19th amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.

d)

The Supreme Court in Gregg v Georgia, which changed the law to allow the death penalty but juries were given specific instructions about when to impose it.

17.

What is the Bill of Rights?

a)

The purposes of government

b)

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

c)

The senators and the representatives

d)

A written outline for the power and structure of government

18.

What does the executive branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

19.

What does the Judicial branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

20.

What does the legislative branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

21.
1.  Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?
a)
John Adams
b)
John Hancock
c)
Ben Franklin
d)
Thomas Jefferson
22.
1.  How many Senators does each state have?
a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

e)

It is based upon population.

23.
1.  How many members are in the House of Representatives?
a)
16
b)
100
c)
435
d)
538
24.

1.  The role of the President is outlined in which article of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Article I

b)

Article II

c)

Article III

d)

Article IV

25.

The President can check Congress by this power

a)

pardon

b)

override

c)

veto

d)

judicial review

26.

This branch of government is the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution as applied to laws.

a)

legislative

b)

congress

c)

executive

d)

judicial

27.
1.  This term is used to describe the unique relationship between the state and national government in the United States.
a)
nullification
b)
states rights
c)
federalism
d)
confederation
28.
The power of judicial review means that the Supreme Court can ...
a)
declare laws passed by Congress or actions of the president unconstitutional
b)
review the Constitution and make laws
c)
review the Constitution and veto laws
d)
impeach a president or member of Congress for doing something unconstitutional
29.

What does the Legislative branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

30.

What does the Judicial branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

31.

What does the Executive Branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

32.

What is the Bill of Rights?

a)

The purposes of government

b)

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

c)

The senators and the representatives

d)

A written outline for the power and structure of government

33.
Under the Articles of Confederation, what were some things that Congress and the national government couldn't do?
a)
Create Money
b)
Levy Taxes
c)
National Court System
d)
All of the above
34.
What role does Congress play in spending money?
a)
Must approve all government spending
b)
They have no role
c)
Must approve military spending
d)
Must approve education spending
35.

The length of time that a President can commit American forces to combat without informing the Congress is

a)

48 hours

b)

30 days

c)

60 days

d)

6 months

36.

What philosophy did Thomas Jefferson adopt from John Locke?

a)

Natural Rights

b)

Classical Republicanism

c)

Lockism

d)

Existentialism

37.

The President’s power to veto an act of Congress is an example of

a)

Executive agreement

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Limited Government

38.

Which is not a role of the president?

a)

Chief Executive

b)

Chief of State

c)

Chief Justice

d)

Chief Diplomat

39.

The principle by which power is divided among the three branches of the government

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Emancipation Proclamation

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Split Infinitives

40.

“We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union” is

a)

Part of the Prequel to the Constitution

b)

Part of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

c)

Part of the Prequel to the Declaration of Independence

d)

Part of the Preamble to the Constitution

41.

The principle by which power is divided among the three branches of the government

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Emancipation Proclamation

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Split Infinitives

42.

Which is not a branch of the US government?

a)

Executive

b)

Legislative

c)

Judicial

d)

Presidential

43.

Which is not a role of the president?

a)

Chief Executive

b)

Chief of State

c)

Chief Justice

d)

Chief Diplomat

44.

President Biden visiting other countries to discuss foreign policy is an example of the President fulfilling this role:

a)

Chief Party

b)

Chief of State

c)

Chief Diplomat

d)

Chief Legislator

45.

A Republican can be considered a

a)

Liberal

b)

Libertarian

c)

Populist

d)

Conservative

46.

A Democrat can be considered a

a)

Liberal

b)

Libertarian

c)

Populist

d)

Conservative

47.

There are ________ US senators

a)

100

b)

250

c)

435

d)

50

48.

The US Representatives serve ______ year terms:

a)

2

b)

4

c)

6

d)

8

49.

Which amendment promises people that no unlawful search and seizures will occur?

a)

2nd Amendment

b)

4th Amendment

c)

5th Amendment

d)

6th Amendment

50.

The President’s power to veto an act of Congress is an example of

a)

Executive agreement

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Limited Government

51.

What court case allows freedom of speech in students as long as it is not disruptive?

a)

TLO vs. New Jersey

b)

Tinker vs. Des Moines

c)

Brown vs. Board of Education

d)

Roe vs. Wade

52.

Which of the following is the basic characteristic of federalism?

a)

Divided power between National and State governments

b)

Most power to the National Government

c)

Most power to the Local Government

d)

Encourages direct citizen participation in government

53.

One of the problems that people have with the electoral college is that

a)

it is a quick and efficient system

b)

it gives 102 bonus votes to the winner of the popular vote

c)

it annually creates a system that demands recounts

d)

the winner take all system

54.

Which is not a reason why the Articles of Confederation failed?

a)

No executive branch

b)

No uniform currency

c)

The government could not tax

d)

It did not give states enough power

55.

How many votes are required to win the electoral college?

a)

270

b)

320

c)

100

d)

435

56.

What philosophy did Thomas Jefferson adopt from John Locke?

a)

Natural Rights

b)

Classical Republicanism

c)

Lockism

d)

Existentialism

57.

The length of time that a President can commit American forces to combat without informing the Congress is

a)

48 hours

b)

30 days

c)

60 days

d)

6 months

58.

How many members are there in the House of Representatives?

a)

100

b)

270

c)

435

d)

500

59.

Gives the rights to due process, does not allow double jeopardy

a)

Fifth Amendment

b)

Sixth Amendment

c)

Third Amendment

d)

Fourth Amendment

60.

The president must have been a US citizen

a)

since birth

b)

since the age of 18

c)

minimum of 10 years

d)

minimum of 25 years

61.

Which is necessary to amend the Constitution of the United States?

a)

majority vote by the Electoral College

b)

Unanimous vote by both houses of Congress

c)

ratification by legislatures or conventions in the states

d)

recommendation by executive and judicial branches in the states

62.

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Ben Franklin

b)

John Locke

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

George Mason

63.

Which goal of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States is

illustrated by this cartoon?

a)

Provide Defense

b)

Ensure Domestic Peace

c)

Establish Domestic Justice

d)

Form a Union

64.

in order for a US citizen to receive a fair trial, other citizens must

a)

evaluate judges

b)

vote in elections

c)

pay poll taxes

d)

serve on juries

65.

By starting this school supply drive, Aiko and Ian are

a)

engaging in community service

b)

demonstrating a civic duty

c)

fulfilling their duties as students

d)

engaging in patriotic acts

66.

The 3 main branches of the US government are

a)

House, Senate, Supreme Court

b)

President, Senate, Supreme Court

c)

Executive, Legislative, Judicial

d)

state, local , federal

67.

The principal of the US government that is best illustrated in the headline above is

a)

popular sovereignty

b)

representative democracy

c)

concurrent and reserved powers

d)

checks and balances

68.

The major function of political parties in America is

a)

educating the public

b)

presenting solutions to problems

c)

keeping the party in power responsible to the people

d)

nominating candidates for public office and presenting them to voters

69.

According to the 10th Amendment of the Bill of Rights, powers not specifically delegated are reserved to the people or

a)

local governments

b)

the courts

c)

political parties

d)

states

70.

Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining if one is eligible to vote

a)

age

b)

citizenship

c)

education

d)

residency

71.

A group of men and women that are the President's advisers is also known as what

a)

White House Counsel

b)

Cabinet

c)

Advisory

d)

Chief of Staff

72.
1.  How many representatives does each state have?
a)
2
b)
4
c)
10
d)
based on population
73.

Once Impeachment charges are approved, which body of government holds the trial and makes the final judgment

a)

Supreme Court

b)

House of representatives

c)

Senate

d)

Presidents Cabinet

74.
1.  The United States is an example of
a)
unitary gov
b)
confederation gov
c)
direct democracy
d)
representative democracy
75.

The President can check Congress by this power

a)

pardon

b)

override

c)

veto

d)

judicial review

76.

1.  This body is the final authority on the meaning of the Constitution as applied to laws.

a)

Legislative

b)

Congress

c)

Executive

d)

Supreme Court

77.
Senators are elected for 
a)
2 year term
b)
4 year term
c)
6 year term
d)
life
78.

What does the Judicial branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

79.

What does the executive branch do?

a)

Makes / writes the laws

b)

Interprets the laws

c)

Enforces the laws

80.
The Anti-Federalists insisted on a Bill of Rights because they were concerned that
a)
the Constitution would not include separation of powers
b)
the new national government could trample on individual rights
c)
representation in the Senate would be based on population
d)
small states would have as much power as large states
81.

The case of Marbury vs. Madison in 1803: made the courts stronger by establishing the principle of

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Federalism

c)

Limited Government

d)

Separate but equal

82.

An example of a check the legislative branch has on the executive branch

a)

The can review laws to ensure they follow the Constitution

b)

They can reject presidential appointments

c)

They can veto laws

d)

They can appoint judges

83.

The principle by which power is divided among the three branches of the government

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Emancipation Proclamation

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Split Infinitives

84.

Gives the rights to due process, does not allow double jeopardy

a)

Fifth Amendment

b)

Sixth Amendment

c)

Third Amendment

d)

Fourth Amendment

85.

Qualifications for US president are

a)

US resident for 20 years, 40 years old, and no criminal record.

b)

at least 25 years old, US resident at least 14 years, and male.

c)

native-born citizen, US resident at least 14 years, and at least 35 years old.

d)

US citizen for 10 years, Protestant, and at least 35 years old.

86.

The number of justices on the Supreme Court is set by

a)

Congress

b)

the current president

c)

the Constitution

d)

the Supreme Court

87.

What is the Bill of Rights?

a)

The purposes of government

b)

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution

c)

The senators and the representatives

d)

A written outline for the power and structure of government

88.
Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.  Which amendment is this?
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
3rd
d)
4th
89.
Forbids cruel and unusual punishment
a)
2nd Amendment
b)
4th Amendment
c)
6th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
90.
Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial
a)
2nd Amendment
b)
4th Amendment
c)
6th Amendment
d)
8th Amendment
91.
Guarantees a jury trial in civil cases
a)
7th
b)
10th
c)
9th
d)
2nd
92.
Guarantees freedom from testifying against yourself
a)
1st Amendment
b)
3rd Amendment
c)
5th Amendment
d)
7th Amendment
93.

Who selects someone to become a Supreme Court Justice?

a)

Congress

b)

Senate

c)

President

d)

Chief Justice

94.

Who must confirm the selection of a Supreme Court Justice?

a)

President

b)

Senate

c)

House of Representatives

d)

Chief Justice

95.

How many members does the Supreme Court have?

a)

7

b)

8

c)

9

d)

10

96.

How long does a Supreme Court Justice serve?

a)

5 years

b)

10 years

c)

25 years

d)

for life

97.

How does the Supreme Court check the power of the President?

a)

rule an action of theirs unconstitutional

b)

gently reprimand him

c)

slap him on the wrist

d)

they cant

98.

How can the Supreme Court check the power of Congress?

a)

Rule a law it passed unconstitutional

b)

light reprimand

c)

yell at them

d)

they cant

99.

Which court case gave the Supreme Court the power of judicial review?

a)

Roe v Wade

b)

Miranda v Arizona

c)

Marbury v Madison

d)

Brown v the Board of Education

100.

What is the main purpose of a political party?

a)

to educate people

b)

to raise money

c)

To get their candidate elected

d)

none of the above

101.

Before you vote, you must _________ first.

a)

apply

b)

register

c)

ask politely

d)

none of the above

102.

When you vote, you must have __________ with you.

a)

proper ID

b)

water

c)

money

d)

literacy test results

103.

The manner in which elections are held is a __________ right.

a)

city

b)

county

c)

state

d)

federal

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