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WorksheetsCivics Exam Prep
Total questions: 85
Worksheet time: 54mins
A permanent committee in the House and/or Senate to which bills are referred to be studied and voted on by the committee.
Conference Committee
Joint Committee
Standing Committee
Select Committee
A representative must vote on a bill that will benefit her state, but also believes the bill will increase the national debt. Most of her constituents support the bill. Under what circumstances do you think she might choose to vote as a trustee, rather than a delegate, on this bill?
If her constituents believe the benefits from the bill outweigh the costs.
If her constituents believe that she should vote according to their wishes.
If she believes the most important goal is a balanced budget.
If she believes the most important goal is to conform to her constituents' wishes.
A temporary committee, consisting of House members and Senators, that's created to iron the differences between the House version and Senate version of a bill.
Conference Committee
Joint Committee
Select Committee
Standing Committee
The most powerful person in Congress
Speaker of the House
President Pro Tempore
Senate Majority Leader
you
The longest tenured Senator in the majority party
House Majority Leader
President Pro Tempore
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
The most powerful person in the Senate
Party Whips
President Pro Tempore
House Majority Leader
Senate Majority Leader
Vice President
Speaker of the House
President of the Senate
Bob
J
Legislate means to ____ ____.
(a)
Legislator is a ___ ________.
(a)
U.S Senators represent
a portion of their state called a district.
a region, such as the southeast, of the United States.
half of their state.
their entire state.
U.S. House members represent
a portion of a state called a district.
a region, such as the southeast, of the United States.
half of their state.
their entire state.
Representation in Congress is closest to the general population in terms of
education.
gender.
ethnicity.
profession
Based on this chart, a senator's role as a politician might interfere with his or her role as
a servant, because it could prevent her from drafting a bill that her constituents support.
a legislator, because it could prevent him from reviewing bills for the entire chamber to vote on.
a representative, because it could prevent her from supporting bills that would benefit her district.
a committee member, because it could prevent him from visiting constituents and attending functions.
Which individual has the title of "President of the Senate?"
Senate Majority Leader
Vice President
Speaker of the Senate
The Senator who has currently served the longest.
Which individual is the leader of the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House
House Majority Leader
House Majority Whip
Vice President
Although Congress has not declared war since World War II, the United States has used military force on many occasions since then. What is one explanation for this fact?
The President has used military force without authorization from Congress.
Congress has authorized the use of military force without the support of the President.
The President has used executive privilege to authorize the use of military force.
Congress has enacted joint resolutions to authorize the President to use military force.
Choose the answer that BEST completes the chart about the roles of the President of the United States.
Chief of State
Chief of Party
Chief of Legislator
Chief of Economist
Former President Bill Clinton was very helpful to President Obama during his 2012 campaign for reelection. Why does the cartoonist say that the President can repay Clinton for his help by repealing the 22nd Amendment?
Repealing the 22nd Amendment would repay Clinton because he could help President Obama in the next four years.
Repealing the 22nd Amendment would repay Clinton because it would enable him to serve in the Cabinet.
Repealing the 22nd Amendment would repay Clinton because it would allow him to run for President a third time.
Repealing the 22nd Amendment would repay Clinton because it would raise his salary.
Predict which of the following a President might consider before negotiating a treaty with the leader of another country.
Will at least 67 senators support the treaty?
Will my successor support the treaty?
Will Congress ratify the treaty?
Will my Cabinet support the treaty?
". . . the true test of a good government is its aptitude and tendency to produce a good administration."-Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist, No. 76
To what does Hamilton MOST LIKELY refer when he writes of "a good administration"?
the judicial branch
the legislative branch
the State governments
the executive branch
Without antiturst laws, there would be less competition between businesses.
True
False
There is no competition because the government is the only producer.
market economy
command economy
traditional economy
The need to survive motivates people to hunt, gather, or farm.
market economy
command economy
traditional economy
The more companies merge together, the more competition there is.
True
False
The hope of profit motivates producers to develop new things.
market economy
command economy
traditional economy
The government protects competition by letting companies do whatever they want.
True
False
The government sets wages thus people aren't motiviated by profit.
market economy
command economy
traditional economy
The U.S has a mixed economy.
True
False
Producers decide what to make based on consumer demand.
market economy
command economy
traditional economy
A tariff makes the foreign product less expensive in the U.S.
True
False
Why did the Constitution provide for two separate court systems?
to strengthen the balance of power between the three branches of Federal Government
to maintain a balance of power between the Federal Government and the States
to establish the federal court system as having more power than State courts
to keep the federal court system from being overwhelmed
When a Supreme Court justice agrees with the decision reached by the Court in a case, but not with the reasons why the Court made that decision, he or she may choose to write a
(a)
What view does this cartoon best illustrate?
The Supreme Court believes that politics should not interfere with legal decisions.
The Supreme Court files briefs in a harmful fashion.
The Supreme Court always sides against the States in decisions related to elections.
The Supreme Court should not issue dissenting opinions.
What is the difference between original jurisdiction and appellate jurisdiction?
Original jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a federal court; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case being heard in a State court.
Original jurisdiction refers to criminal or civil cases; appellate jurisdiction refers to only to civil cases.
Original jurisdiction refers to a court where a case is first heard; appellate jurisdiction refers to a case being heard after it was tried in a lower court.
A possible avenue through which some cases have reached the Supreme Court?
What idea about the Supreme Court does this cartoon illustrate?
the decision of the Rule of Four
the philosophy of judicial restraint
the power to overturn an act of Congress
the willingness to challenge the executive branch
What did Hamilton mean when he made the following statement?
"Laws are a dead letter without courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation." -Alexander Hamilton
For laws to be effective, there must be courts to make them known to citizens consistently.
For laws to be effective, there must be courts to interpret them consistently.
Laws that are not obeyed should be repealed by the courts.
Laws that are not obeyed should be enforced by the courts.
What argument was the author of this statement, John Marshall, making about how the Federal Government should function?
"It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is."-John Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, Opinion of the Court
The judicial branch of the Federal Government should have the power to make laws.
The judicial branch of the Federal Government should have power to interpret laws.
The judicial branch has the sole authority to establish a federal court system.
Only the laws created by the Federal Government, and approved by the Court, have any authority in the federal system.
What conclusion could be drawn regarding cases appealed to the Supreme Court in the year 2012?
The Supreme Court accepted almost all of the cases that were brought to it.
Since it dealt only with cases involving constitutionality, the Supreme Court ruled on just a handful of cases.
The Supreme Court used three different methods with which to rule upon a case.
Many cases were appealed to the Supreme Court, but it could only deal with a few of them.
Which of these cases would be tried in a federal court?
A trio of men rob a bank in Vermont but aren't arrested until after having fled to Maine.
A resident of Oregon accuses a resident of Florida of stealing $50,000.
A thief is arrested immediately after robbing a couple vacationing in Chicago.
A woman buys a bicycle from a neighborhood shop and later claims it is defective.
Which of these cases would be heard in a federal constitutional court?
a case involving trade between the United States and Brazil
a case concerning a matter in a U.S. territory
a case involving a member of the U.S. armed forces
a case involving a tax dispute
"Each party files detailed written statements-briefs-with the Court before they present their oral arguments. These detailed statements spell out the party's legal position and are built largely on relevant facts and _________"
Which statement BEST describes the missing content about how Supreme Court briefs are created?
The solicitor general, who acts as the government's chief trial lawyer, must approve the content of all briefs.
Briefs almost always refer to legal precedents, or the past decisions made by courts in similar cases.
Each brief typically includes the written support of a member of Congress to establish credibility.
Which position does the statement by Charles Evans Hughes illustrate?
judicial activism, because it says the courts interpret the Constitution
judicial activism, because it suggests the Constitution is the law of the land
judicial restraint, because it says the nation is ruled by the Constitution
judicial restraint, because it says the courts safeguard our liberty
"The trial of a person charged with a federal crime, or a suit involving the infringement of a patent or a copyright, or one involving any other matter arising out of an act of Congress is . . . within the . . . jurisdiction of the federal courts."
In a patent case being heard for the first time, this is an example of
concurrent jurisdiction.
appellate jurisdiction.
local jurisdiction.
exclusive jurisdiction.
"William Marbury had been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the District of Columbia. The Senate had promptly confirmed his appointment, and late on the night of March 3, 1801, President Adams signed the commissions of office for Marbury and a number of other new judges. The next day, Jefferson became President . . ."
How did President Jefferson respond to the situation?
He ordered his Secretary of State not to deliver Marbury's commission, blocking Marbury from becoming a judge.
He used his presidential authority to declare that Marbury's commission was null and void.
He asked the leader of the Senate to revoke Marbury's appointment and remove his commission.
Identify the case over which the U.S. Supreme Court would exercise original jurisdiction.
a government employee sues the government agency that employs her
a State agency brings a lawsuit against an agency in another State
a citizen brings a 1st Amendment case against his State government
How are federal judges selected?
The person is named to the bench by the President and does not need to be confirmed.
The person is named to the bench by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
The person is nominated by the Senate and chosen by the President.
The person is publicly elected to the bench and confirmed by the Senate.
The type of jurisdiction shared by both Federal and State, missing from the middle section of this diagram, is known as
appellate
concurrent
exclusive
original
Charles Evans Hughes said dissenting opinions were "an appeal to the brooding spirit of the law, to the intelligence of a future day." What did he mean?
Justices who dissent are considering the precedents set by past decisions.
Justices who dissent often feel angry about how the majority of the Court interprets the law.
Justices who dissent may think that future generations will see the issue differently.
"The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by the judges as a fundamental law. . . . If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two . . . the Constitution ought to be preferred to the statute. . . ." -Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 78
Hamilton's statement is fundamental to which concept?
judicial review
federalism
limited goverment
popular sovereignty
"During the years the Articles of Confederation were in force (1781-1789), there were no national courts and no national judiciary. The laws of the United States were interpreted and applied as each State saw fit, and sometimes not at all. Disputes between States and between persons who lived in different States were decided, if at all, by the courts in one of the States involved. Often, decisions by the courts in one State were ignored by courts in the other States."
This excerpt from the text explains why
delegates to the Constitutional Convention wanted checks and balances among the branches of government.
the Framers of the Constitution thought it was important to have a national Judiciary.
the Framers of the Articles of Confederation felt there was no need for a national Judiciary.
many members of Congress felt there was no need for a strong federal government.
Which of the following statements about executive departments is inaccurate?
They are main organizations in the executive branch.
The leaders of the executive departments are part of the president's cabinet.
The president appoints a leader of each department that's typically called a secretary.
They are independent of the president's control.
Which of the following actions is an example of United States Foreign aid?
In 2013, the U.S. Agency for International Development's "Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene" program in West Africa helped over 28,000 people get access to a better source for drinking water.
In 1993, the United States, Canada, and Mexico agreed to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in order to make trade easier among the three countries.
In 1990, Iraqi leader Sadam Hussein invaded and took over neighboring Kuwait. In January 1991, Congress authorized President George H.W. Bush to lead U.S. troops into Kuwait and force the Iraqi troops to leave.
Which answer below is not a main goal of U.S. foreign policy?
Protect the United States and the America people.
Support economic growth and human rights
Keep the peace in foreign nations.
Increase support of American values like democracy and freedom
What is one MAIN difference between the Executive Office of the President and the executive departments?
The executive departments function as separate staff agencies, but the EOP does not.
The EOP functions as a huge line agency, while the executive departments do not.
The EOP exists to support the President, while the executive departments do not.
The executive departments exist to support the President, while the EOP does not.
Which presidential role does this photo illustrate?
chief of diplomat
chief citizen
chief of party
commander in chief
Which of the following can be reasonably hypothesized from the graph?
The executive branch payroll is the largest in the Federal Government.
The judicial branch is important
The executive branch has power over the other branches.
Which presidential role does it illustrate?
the President as chief of party
the President as chief diplomat
the President as chief citizen
the President as chief administrator
There are several things that an executive department or agency can do to enforce a law. Which of the following does not involve enforcement?
Catch individuals not following the law.
Implementing instructions and rules about a new law.
Monitor the public to make sure that laws are being followed.
Educate the public about new laws.
Which presidential role does this photograph illustrate?
the President as commander in chief
the President as chief administrator
the President as chief economist
the President as chief of state
The main goal of the U.S. military is to
help spread democracy and freedom throughout the world.
help provide foreign aid and assistance to other nations.
prevent war and protect the United States.
overthrow government's that might be a threat to democracy.
Which of the following BEST completes the missing section of the Venn diagram?
principal source of presidential advice
"nerve center" of the executive branch
collection of political strategists who often have the final say on issues
departmental secretaries who consider presidential policies based on their areas of expertise
Which of the following BEST completes the chart?
Consults with the President on foreign affairs
Prepares presidential executive orders
Acts as a presidential "handy man"
Is the President's "right arm"
The President is the author of the nation's public policies in his or her role of
commander in chief
chief legislator
chief of party
chief citizen
(c) The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."
What is the intent of this section of the document?
to give Congress the authorization to commit the U.S. to military action
to expand the power of the United States Armed Forces to initiate military activity on their own
to limit the President's power to commit the U.S. to military action without meeting certain conditions
Suppose the President were badly injured, and unable to inform the Vice President that he could not discharge the power and duties of his office. How would power be transferred to the Vice President?
The Vice President and a majority of the members of the Cabinet would inform Congress in writing that the President was incapacitated.
The Vice President alone would inform Congress in writing that the President was incapacitated.
"The President is expected to be ‘the representative of all the people.' He or she is expected to take the high road and champion the public interest against the many different and competing private interests. ‘The presidency,' said Franklin Roosevelt, ‘is not merely an administrative office. That is the least of it. It is, preeminently, a place of moral leadership.'"
To which presidential role does this text excerpt refer?
commander in chief
chief economist
chief citizen
chief of party
owning something gives you the right to buy and sell it
private property
markets & prices
competition
freedom of choice
people can decide what to produce and consume
markets & prices
limited government role
private property
freedom of choice
buyers and sellers freely exchange goods and services while the market forces of supply and demand determine what goods and services will cost
incentives/self-interest
markets & prices
competition
producers vie with each other for profits by trying to produce quality goods and services at quality prices
competition
incentives/self-interest
markets & prices
private property
when one company controls an entire industry without any competition
(a)
economic system in which the government owns some property, offers some kinds of goods and services, and makes some rules regarding businesses while still allowing private citizens and private companies to make most economic decisions
(a)
government agency created in 1914 to carry out the powers in the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914
(a)
economic system in which the government owns and offers all the goods and services and decides what those goods and services will cost
(a)
a tax on goods from other countries
(a)
economic system in which goods and services are offered by private companies and private citizens and companies make economic decisions without government involvement
(a)
the way goods and services are produced and consumed
(a)
laws that prohibit monopolies and other economic activity that reduces competition
(a)
It's Christmas time, and the hottest toy of the year sells out. People are paying ten times what it's worth online.
(a)
Erin could make $24 this afternoon babysitting, or she could attend her grandma's birthday party. She decides to attend the party. She doesn't get the money, but her grandma is thrilled.
(a)
A car company made thousands and thousands of cars this year, but people haven't been buying as many cars. The car dealer lots are full.
(a)
Shell sells gas for $3.75/gallon. Across the street, Exxon sells gas for $3.74/gallon. Shell, thus, lowes its price to $3.74.
(a)
Tyler mows lawns and does yard work for $10 per hour.
(a)
Marla goes to the store and buys a new backpack.
(a)
