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American Government Honors Review Multiple Choice

Total questions: 92

Worksheet time: 31mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which branch can veto legislation.

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

d)

Congress

2.

Which clause states that the Constitution, laws and treaties of the national government are the “supreme law of the land.”

a)

Extradition Clause

b)

Supremacy Clause

c)

Full Faith & Credit Clause

d)

Privileges & Immunities Clause

3.

What does the Judicial Branch do?

a)

Create laws

b)

Enforce laws

c)

Interpret laws

d)

Write laws

4.

Which clause is the Constitution's requirement that each State accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State.

a)

Privileges and Immunities Clause

b)

Extradition Clause

c)

Full Faith & Credit Clause

d)

Supremacy Clause

5.
Which system holds all power in one central level of government?
a)
Unitary System
b)
Federal System
c)
Democratic System
d)
The Galactic Republic System
6.
The idea of Natural Rights can be attributed to who?
a)
George Washington
b)
Adam Smith
c)
John Locke
d)
Thomas Jefferson
7.
What does it mean to say we have "separation of powers?"
a)
We divide power between the three Branches
b)
The President doesn't work with the Courts
c)
Congress doesn't work with the President
d)
We divide the two Houses of Congress
8.
The leader in a Parliamentary system is?
a)
President
b)
King
c)
Dictator
d)
Prime Minister
9.

What was a major change from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution?

a)

The government gained the power to tax, created the executive branch, and did not need unanimous consent to do anything.

b)

The government lost the power to raise an army, collect taxes, and make amendments.

c)

The government gained the power to declare laws and actions of other branches unconstitutional.

d)

The government lost the power to protect freedom of speech, religion, and the right to bear arms.

10.

What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?

a)

In a Democracy, people are represented by someone else. In a Republic, people get a direct say in government.

b)

In a Republic, people are represented by someone else. In a Democracy, people get a direct say in government.

c)

In a Democracy, people get a direct say in government. In a Republic, people are ruled by a King.

d)

In a Republic, people are represented by someone else. In a Democracy, the government is based around religious law.

11.

Which political theory held that God created the state, and God had given those of "royal birth" the right to rule?

a)

Common Law

b)

Natural Rights

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

12.

The rule of law gives ___________ to a government.

a)

natural rights

b)

a social contract

c)

sovereignty

d)

legitimacy

13.

Which of the following is an example of an Autocracy?

a)

The United States

b)

Medieval England

c)

The Vatican

d)

North Korea

14.

All of the following are three basic powers that all governments possess except?

a)

legislative

b)

judicial

c)

taxing

d)

executive

15.

The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society is known as

a)

sovereignty

b)

territory

c)

government

d)

federalism

16.

In a democratic government, the questions of "how should we govern" and "what should government do" are controlled by

a)

the leaders.

b)

the military.

c)

the elected representatives.

d)

the people.

17.

What part of the Constitution has the purposes of government for the United States?

a)

Preamble

b)

Articles

c)

Amendments

d)

none of these

18.

In a representative democracy like the United States, the powers of government are

a)

separated among three branches.

b)

combined into one branch.

c)

given to a small group of important people.

d)

divided among the people.

19.

To be recognized as a state, what are the essential characteristics?

a)

Territory

b)

Sovereignty

c)

Population

d)

Government

e)

All of these

20.

Which political theory of government is where a small group forces all people to submit to them?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

21.

Which political theory developed naturally out of the evolution of the family?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

22.

Which political theory held that God created the state, and God had given those of "royal birth" the right to rule?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

23.

Which political theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people and that the state exists only to serve the will of the people?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

24.

Which is a common characteristic of a dictatorship?

a)

Concern for the rights and liberties of the people

b)

Frequent and open elections

c)

Power lies in the hands of a single person or group

25.

This man’s writings influenced the American Representative Democracy by emphasizing that people had natural rights and to protect these rights government should be limited. If these rights are violated by the government there are grounds for rebellion.

a)

Karl Marx

b)

John Locke

c)

Adam Smith

26.

The style of government where a few leaders rule is called?

a)

Constitutional Monarchy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Representative Democracy

27.

Which of the following is NOT one of the 3 P’s involved in government?

a)

People

b)

Power

c)

Policies

d)

Pursuit

28.

Definition: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.

a)

Rule of Law

b)

Republic

c)

Democracy

d)

Representative Government

29.
United States National Security administration working on stopping terrorist attacks in the United States. This is an example of...
a)
Maintaining social order
b)
Providing public service
c)
Providing national security
d)
Making economic decisions
30.
Rule of the people, in which citizens get to participate in the decision-making processes of the government, is known as __________________.
a)
aristocracy
b)
monarchy
c)
democracy
d)
anarchy
31.
The belief that government is derived from which of the following is central to the idea of democracy?
a)
The people
b)
Congress
c)
Checks and balances
d)
God
32.

Who rules in a monarchy?

a)

The people

b)

King or Queen

c)

a small group of people

d)

One or more religious groups

33.

A _________ of government divides power over people and territory between a national government and smaller, regional levels of government.

a)

Oligarchy

b)

Direct Democracy

c)

Unitary System

d)

Federal System

34.

What is meant by the fundamental principle “limited government”?

a)

Government may only do what the people have given it the power to do.

b)

The number of people who work in the government is limited by law.

c)

Presidents may serve no more than two terms.

d)

The power of the federal government is limited by the power of state governments.

35.

Government by the consent of the governed is called

a)

public policy

b)

democracy

c)

popular sovereignty

d)

self-perpetuating autocracy

36.

What allows people to choose their leaders and voice their opinions on issues?

a)

free elections

b)

majority rule

c)

limited government

d)

rule of law

37.

Which fundamental idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

a)

The government should guarantee every citizen economic security.

b)

The central government and state governments should have equal power.

c)

Rulers derive their right to govern from God and are therefore bound to govern in the nation’s best interest.

d)

If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown.

38.

If the president dies this person takes over

a)

Speaker of the House

b)

First Lady

c)

President pro Tempore

d)

Vice President

39.

Who is next in line after the President and Vice President

a)

First Lady

b)

President Pro Tempore

c)

Speaker of the House

d)

Chief of Staff

40.

How many terms can the president serve?

a)

one

b)

two

c)

three

d)

unlimited

41.

How long is each presidential term?

a)

1 year

b)

2 years

c)

4 years

d)

6 years

42.

What determines the number of electoral from each state

a)

Congress votes on it

b)

the president decides this

c)

the number of congressional representatives the state has

d)

the number of voters in each state divided by the number of districts

43.

What role gives the President the ability to rule as head of all the branches of the military?

a)

Chief of State

b)

Chief Diplomat

c)

Chief Citizen

d)

Commander in Chief

44.

To be President you must be at least ____ years old

a)

25

b)

30

c)

35

d)

40

45.

To be president you must be

a)

a citizen for 7 years

b)

a citizen for 9 years

c)

a natural born citizen

d)

a citizen for 14 years

46.

This cabinet department could also be called the Department of Foreign Affairs.

a)

Health and Human Services

b)

The Labor Department

c)

Housing and Urban Development

d)

State Department

47.

Which role is it when the President speaks to encourage others to vote for a candidate?

a)

Chief of State

b)

Commander in Chief

c)

Chief of Party

d)

Chief Executive

48.

Which role is it when the President gives someone an award (not military)?

a)

Chief of State

b)

Chief of Party

c)

Commander in Chief

d)

Chief Executive

49.

Which role is it when the President makes a treaty?

a)

Chief Executive

b)

Chief Diplomat

c)

Chief of Party

d)

Commander in Chief

50.

What is the number needed to win the electoral college?

a)

230

b)

170

c)

270

d)

250

51.

What are the two states that do not use the "winner take all" method?

a)

Maine & Alaska

b)

Michigan and Wisconsin

c)

Nebraska and Illinois

d)

Maine and Nebraska

52.

Amendment that gave women voting Rights:

a)

13th

b)

15th

c)

19th

d)

21st

53.

Amendment that moved voting age to 18:

a)

18th

b)

21st

c)

26th

d)

27th

54.

Which department or agency represents the U.S. in court, enforces laws, and investigates crimes?

a)

Department of Education

b)

Department of Commerce

c)

Department of Justice

d)

Department of Good

55.

The part of the Constitution that describes the legislative branch is _________________-

a)

Preamble

b)

Article I

c)

Article II

d)

Amendments

56.

The legislative branch of the U.S. government is also called ________________--

a)

cabinet

b)

representatives

c)

Parliament

d)

Congress

57.

This house of Congress has 100 members and includes only 2 from each state

a)

House of Representatives

b)

Senate

c)

President

d)

Supreme Court

58.
This house of Congress has 435 members with the number of members based on each state's population
a)
House of Representatives
b)
Senate
c)
President
d)
Supreme Court
59.
The main job of the legislative branch
a)
determine if laws are unconstitutional
b)
veto laws
c)
make laws
d)
approve laws made by the President
60.

What are the 2 requirements to get elected to the Senate?

a)

25 years old & citizen for 7 years

b)

25 years old & citizen for 9 years

c)

30 years old & citizen for 7 years

d)

30 years old & citizen for 9 years

61.

Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?

a)

Vice President

b)

President Pro Tempore

c)

Speaker of the House

d)

Majority Whip

62.

Who is the president of the Senate and casts tie breaking votes when needed?

a)

Speaker of the House

b)

Vice President

c)

Majority Whip

d)

Chief Justice

63.

How frequently does the Census happen?

a)

5 years

b)

10 years

c)

3 years

d)

1 year

64.

Senators serve

a)

4 year terms

b)

6 year terms

c)

3 year terms

d)

2 year terms

65.

How is the number of members in the House of Representatives determined?

a)

Equality

b)

How big the state is

c)

The state's population

d)

The President picks

66.

Congress is known as a "Bicameral", what does that mean?

a)

Two people

b)

Two houses

c)

Two cameras (looks)

d)

Two camels

67.

True or False, you are required to be a naturally born citizen to become a member of the United States Congress?

a)

True

b)

False

68.

True or False, members of Congress do NOT have term limits?

a)

True

b)

False

69.

Every two years, how many members in the House of Representatives will be up for reelection?

a)

1/3

b)

1/4

c)

1/2

d)

All Members

70.

Every two years, how many members in the Senate will be up for reelection?

a)

1/3

b)

1/4

c)

1/2

d)

All Members

71.

How many members total make up Congress?

a)

435

b)

538

c)

100

d)

535

72.

True or False, Congress has the power to declare war.

a)

True

b)

False

73.

True or False, Congress makes the final decision over spending and budgets for the U.S. Government?

a)

True

b)

False

74.

How often could reapportionment occur?

a)

Every 2 years

b)

Every 4 years

c)

Every 8 years

d)

Every 10 years

75.

Which of these groups could vote in the first U.S. election?

a)

Everyone born in the U.S.

b)

All adults

c)

All men

d)

White men

76.

The 15th amendment states that no state could deprive any citizen the right to vote based on (check all that apply):

a)

race

b)

color

c)

previous condition of slavery

d)

gender

77.

Black men gained the rights to vote in ?

a)

1850

b)

1860

c)

1870

d)

1880

78.

The laws that separated whites from blacks were called

a)

The Plessy Homer case

b)

Jim Crow Laws

c)

The segregation laws

d)

none of the above

79.

15th Amendment - 19th Amendment - 24th Amendment - 26th Amendment

The four amendments mentioned above are similar in that each

a)

expanded the rights of the accused

b)

put limits on Presidential powers

c)

shifted more power to state governments

d)

extended the vote to a disenfranchised group

80.

Identify which group was extended voting rights by the following amendments:

Fifteenth Amendment

a)

18 Year Olds

b)

African Americans

c)

Immigrants

d)

Women

81.

Identify which group was extended voting rights by the following amendments:

Twenty-sixth Amendment

a)

18 Year Olds

b)

African Americans

c)

Immigrants

d)

Women

82.
What Constitutional Principle says "We the People"?
a)
Popular Sovereignty
b)
Judicial Review
c)
Limited Government
d)
Separation of Powers
83.
What is federalism?
a)
The people vote for their leaders who then represent them. 
b)
The people have individual rights. 
c)
There are three branches of government. 
d)
The state and national government share power. 
84.
What is "checks and balances?"
a)
Each branch of power has the ability to limit the power of the other branches. 
b)
The people elect their leaders. 
c)
The people are in charge. 
d)
The people have rights. (Bill of Rights) 
85.
Popular sovereignty, a principle set forth in the Constitution, means that--
a)
People elect their political representatives.
b)
people are the source of the government's power. 
c)
power is divided between national and state government. 
86.

These are personal liberties (freedoms) and privileges that should be guaranteed to every citizen

a)

Individual Rights

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Limited Government

d)

Popular Sovereignty

87.
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to:
a)
protect individual rights
b)
have more parts to the Constitution
88.

Media can influence public agenda by...

a)

making a profit.

b)

printing information rather than publishing it electronically.

c)

choosing what issues to cover.

89.

A "leak" is...

a)

information secretly released to the media.

b)

when all media outlets report on the same issue.

c)

information that is knowingly false.

d)

when politicians refuse to answer media questions.

90.

In its role as a "watchdog," the media...

a)

reports only on stories public officials want them to.

b)

reveals wrongdoings by political leaders.

c)

charges for its publications so it can make a profit.

d)

reveals the identities of its sources.

91.

Which is a TRUE statement?

a)

There are no limits on what the media can report.

b)

The media cannot be sued for anything it prints.

c)

The government cannot keep some information secret for national security reasons.

d)

Most media is privately owned and relies on attracting viewers to make profits.

92.

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other forms of communication are collectively referred to as the __________.

a)

mass media

b)

media conglomeration

c)

partisan press

d)

fifth estate