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Worksheets

Civics and Government

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 50mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What established the US Government?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

Federalism

c)

Constitution

d)

Declaration of Independence

2.

Which is the highest body of the Judicial Branch in the US Government?

a)

Senate

b)

Cabinet

c)

Supreme Court

d)

House of Representatives

3.

Paying taxes, serving on a jury, and defending the Constitution are examples of citizen's what?

a)

duties

b)

rights

c)

freedoms

d)

responsibilities

4.

Who is next in line for president after the vice-president?

a)

Chief Justice

b)

President Pro Tempore

c)

Speaker of House

d)

Attorney General

5.

What is the absence of governemnt?

a)

Totalitarianism

b)

Anarchy

c)

Republic

d)

Dictatorship

6.

There are ___ Senators in Congress

a)

50

b)

100

c)

435

d)

535

7.

The number of representatives in the House is based on:

a)

Population

b)

Area of the State

c)

Political View of the State

d)

None of the Above

8.

This government is ruled by a king or queen:

a)

Anarchy

b)

Direct Republic

c)

Monarchy

d)

Dictatorship

9.

The ___ is the highest ranking office in the Executive Branch.

a)

Speaker of the House

b)

Chief Justice

c)

President

d)

President Pro Tempore

10.

Separation of Powers best matches:

a)

Shared powers between the state and federal government

b)

Division of authority to specific branches of the government

c)

Making sure one branch does not have too much power

d)

Restriction through the Constitution

11.

Checks and Balances best matches

a)

Shared powers between the state and federal government

b)

Division of authority to specific branches of the government

c)

Making sure one branch does not have too much power

d)

Restriction of power through the Constitution

12.

What establishes the structure of our government and is the Supreme Law of the Land?

a)

The Declaration of Independence

b)

The Bill of Rights

c)

The Preamble

d)

The Constitution

13.

The first 10 Amendments of our Constitution are called:

a)

The Declaration of Independence

b)

The Bill of Rights

c)

The Preamble

d)

The Constitution

14.

1. What is one right of everyone living in the United States?

a)

Freedom of religion

b)

The right to swear in public

c)

The right to not pay taxes

d)

Freedom to discriminate

15.

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

a)

18

b)

21

c)

17

d)

16

16.

What is one way that Americans can participate in their democracy?

a)

Voting

b)

Read posts on Facebook and Twitter

c)

Not voting

d)

Ignore the news and current events

17.

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

a)

The Spanish

b)

The Native Americans

c)

The French

d)

The Aztecs

18.

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

a)

Native Americans

b)

Indentured Servants

c)

Portuguese

d)

African Americans

19.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

Benjamin Franklin

c)

John Jay

d)

Samuel Adams

20.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

a)

June 2, 1776

b)

July 3, 1776

c)

July 4, 1776

d)

June 4, 1776

21.

Which of the following was NOT one of the original 13 states?

a)

Pennsylvania

b)

Georgia

c)

Ohio

d)

Massachusetts

22.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

a)

Constitution was created

b)

Constitution was changed

c)

The Articles of Confederation were Amended

d)

State constitution of Pennsylvania was created

23.

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Which one was NOT a writer of the Federalist Papers?

a)

Alexander Hamilton

b)

James Madison

c)

John Jay

d)

Thomas Jefferson

24.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

a)

declaring war on the South

b)

having started the first free libraries

c)

being a President

d)

inventing the dollar

25.

Who is the “Father of Our Country”?

a)

John Adams

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

George Washington

d)

James Madison

26.

Who was the first President?

a)

Abraham Lincoln

b)

Benjamin Franklin

c)

George Washington

d)

James Madison

27.

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

a)

The Nebraska Territory

b)

The Northwest Territory

c)

The Louisiana Territory

d)

The Forgotten Territory

28.

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

a)

The Civil War

b)

The Union War

c)

The Confederate War

d)

None of the Above

29.

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

a)

slavery

b)

oppression

c)

language differences

d)

all of the above

30.

Which of the following is true about the 14th amendment?

a)

Protects the rights to freedom of speech, religion, and press.

b)

Guarantees the right to bear arms.

c)

Grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States

d)

All of the Above

31.

Countries have the right to do what it wants in its own country, without other countries interfering because they have...

a)

Sovereignty

b)

A Strong Civil Society

c)

Respect

d)

Self-Determination

32.

What important theory of government did Thomas Hobbes and John Locke develop?

a)

Evolution Theory

b)

Force Theory

c)

Divine Right Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

33.

What do individuals give up and gain according to Social Contract Theory (first response what they lose; second response what they gain)

a)

Freedom; Security

b)

Security; Freedom

c)

Security; Sovereignty

d)

Freedom; Sovereignty

34.

Which of the following has unlimited governmental power?

a)

Dictatorship

b)

Republic

c)

Theocracy

35.

Which characteristic is necessary for a theocracy?

a)

One single ruler

b)

Legal system based on religion

c)

Protection of individual rights

36.

Which of the following is NOT in our Bill of Rights?

a)

Freedom of speech

b)

Freedom of religion

c)

Right to an attorney

d)

Right to vote

37.

What form of government used hereditary succession?

a)

Oligarchy

b)

Democracy

c)

Republic

d)

Monarchy

38.

What amendment gives you freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition?

a)

1st

b)

5th

c)

10th

d)

16th

39.

What amendment gives you due process protections from the NATIONAL government?

a)

1st

b)

5th

c)

14th

d)

19th

40.

What amendment gives you due process protections from STATE governments?

a)

5th

b)

10th

c)

14th

d)

23rd

41.

What amendment defines citizenship?

a)

1st

b)

14th

c)

16th

d)

27th

42.

What amendment gave African American MEN the right to vote?

a)

13th

b)

14th

c)

15th

d)

19th

43.

What amendment gave WOMEN the right to vote?

a)

15th

b)

19th

c)

23rd

d)

26th

44.

What amendment gave Washington D.C. residents the right to presidential vote (in the electoral college?

a)

21st

b)

23rd

c)

25th

d)

27th

45.

Why is it important for citizens to fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship?

a)

It contributes to the common good and stability of our society

b)

It allows people to have more free time

c)

It allows people to have strong leaders

d)

it contributes to the power of the government to run efficiently

46.

This quote is from the 14th Amendment:

Based on this quote, whom would be considered a US citizen?

a)

Only people who are naturalized in the US

b)

Anyone with good moral character

c)

Only people born in the US

d)

Anyone who has been born and naturalized in the US

47.

How can a citizen become an informed voter?

a)

By volunteering in public schools to support a child

b)

By reading about various topics from a variety of new sources

c)

By fundraising for a political campaign

d)

By enlisting in the military

48.

Which U.S. citizen obligation would help us live together peacefully?

a)

petition the government

b)

attend school

c)

obey laws

d)

pay taxes

49.

In order to have an effective government, Thomas Jefferson said, "citizens need to understand their rights and responsibilities".

What does this quote best represent?

a)

People should be able to do whatever they want to

b)

Informed citizens are better at making wise decisions about government

c)

There is no way to have an effective government

d)

Only smart people should vote

50.

What does Naturalization refer to?

a)

A person that is natural and free

b)

the legal process to become a citizen

c)

the study of the rights of citizens

d)

people who want to return to their country

51.

Something done for the benefit of all is...

a)

common good

b)

rule of law

c)

civics

d)

immigrant

52.

Which is an example of a U.S. citizens obligation?

a)

community service

b)

getting a job

c)

obeying the law

d)

graduating from high school

53.

The US government is a __________ Democracy and a Republic because we elect leaders to represent citizens in government and citizens have a role in choosing the person that will be the head of the government. 

a)

Republican

b)

Democratic

c)

Representative

d)

Federal

54.

There are two ways to become an American citizen, by birth or a naturalization process.

a)

False

b)

True

55.

A form of government in which citizens govern themselves.

a)

Democracy

b)

Republic

c)

Dictatorship

d)

Federal Government

56.

The 1st amendment protects which of the following?

a)

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

b)

Freedom of religion, speech, press assembly and petition.

c)

Right to trial by jury.

d)

No quartering of soldiers.

57.

The 2nd amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right to keep and bear arms.

b)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Other rights of the people.

58.

The 4th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Powers reserved to the states.

b)

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

c)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

d)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

59.

The 5th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

b)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

c)

Other rights of the people.

d)

Right to keep and bear arms.

60.

The 6th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

No quartering of soldiers.

b)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Rights of accused persons (speedy and public trial).

61.

The 7th amendment protects which of the following rights?

a)

Right of trial by jury.

b)

No quartering of soldiers.

c)

Rights of accused person (speedy and public trial).

d)

No quartering of soldiers.

62.

The 10th amendment protracts which of the following rights?

a)

Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.

b)

Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

c)

Powers reserved to the states.

d)

Right of trial by jury.

63.

Which of the following rights and freedoms is specifically guaranteed by the first 1st amendment?

a)

right to privacy

b)

freedom of press

c)

right to vote

d)

freedom of marriage

64.

The Fifth Amendment states that a person cannot be

a)

tried for the same crime twice

b)

forced to give evidence against himself or herself

c)

deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law

d)

All the above

65.

According to the Fourth Amendment, the police can search and seize a person's property only if

a)

judge issues a warrant

b)

police ask to come in

c)

the neighbor gives permission

d)

People sign a petition

66.

What historic document is the Bill of Rights a part of?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

British Law

d)

US Constitution

67.

How many amendments are included in the Bill of Rights?

a)

4

b)

6

c)

10

d)

8

68.

A warrant must describe the places to be searched.

a)

true

b)

false

69.
Who authored the Declaration of Independence?
a)
Thomas Jefferson
b)
Benjamin Franklin
c)
John Adams
d)
Roger Sherman
70.
The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was thus...?
a)
To announce and explain separation from Great Britain
b)
To complain about Great Britain
c)
To provide a document that can be used to form a new government
d)
To show of the intellect of the founders
71.
Where was the Declaration of Independence drafted and ratified?
a)
Philadelphia
b)
New York City
c)
Washington D.C.
d)
York
72.
What document was the United States first governed under?
a)
Declaration of Independence
b)
Articles of Confederation
c)
Constitution
d)
Bill of Rights
73.
What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation that was ultimately its weakness as well?
a)
Set out to provide a weak central government, giving more freedoms to the states.
b)
Set out to provide a strong central government
74.
What was the purpose of the new U.S. Constitution?
a)
Create a stronger central government
b)
Create a weaker central government
75.
Who authored the Constitution?
a)
James Madison
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
Alexander Hamilton
d)
John Jay
76.
Who authored the Federalist Papers?
a)

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay

b)

Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison

c)

Madison, Jefferson, and Burr

d)

Hamilton, Burr, and Adams

77.
What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
a)
To explain and support the U.S. Constitution for the people of New York.
b)
To criticize the new Constitution
c)
To criticize the Articles of Confederation
d)
To criticize the British government
78.
Where was the Constitutional Convention held?
a)
Philadelphia
b)
D.C.
c)
York
d)
New York City
79.
What is Federalism?
a)
A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments.
b)
A system of government where power is held in one place.
c)
A system of government where people choose their representatives.
80.
What is a Republic?
a)
A system of government where power is vested in the people to choose their representatives.
b)
A system of government where each person has a direct say in political business 
c)
A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments.
81.
What was Madison concerned with when he wrote Federalist 51?
a)
Checks and Balances of the different branches of government
b)
Factions
c)
The U.S. government being too strong
d)
The U.S. government being too weak
82.
The legislative branch does what?
a)
Creates laws
b)
Enforces laws
c)
Interprets laws
83.
The executive branch does what?
a)
Enforces laws
b)
Creates laws
c)
Interprets laws
84.
The judicial branch does what?
a)
Interprets laws
b)
Creates laws
c)
Enforces laws
85.
What are the three levels of government in our Federalist system?
a)
National, State, Local
b)
National, International, Local
c)
International, State, Local
d)
National, State, International
86.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
a)
Amendment 1
b)
Amendment 2
c)
Amendment 3
d)
Amendment 4
87.
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
a)
Amendment 2
b)
Amendment 1
c)
Amendment 3
d)
Amendment 4
88.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized
a)
Amendment 4
b)
Amendment 1
c)
Amendment 2
d)
Amendment 3
89.

What are reserved powers?

a)

The federal government’s ability to establish rules

b)

Powers held by the states

c)

Powers given to the Federal government

90.

Concurrent powers

a)

Powers that show differences

b)

States that run side by side

c)

Powers held by both federal and state governments

91.

What does bicameral mean?

a)

Legislative with one house

b)

Legislature divided into two houses

c)

Two-humped camel

92.

Who is the leader of the State Government's executive branch?

a)

President

b)

Governor

c)

Mayor

d)

City Council Member

93.

Who is the leader of the local Government's executive branch?

a)

President

b)

Governor

c)

Mayor

d)

City Council Member

94.

The highest court in North Carolina is the __________ court.

a)

Court of Appeals

b)

District Courts

c)

Superior Court

d)

Supreme Court

95.

The General Assembly of North Carolina makes laws and is divided into a __________________________.

a)

Three court system

b)

unicameral system

c)

executive branch

d)

Senate and House of Representatives

96.
In North Carolina laws are called?
a)
ordinances
b)
statutes
c)
rules
d)
widgets
97.

The legislative branch of NC is bicameral. Bills must be approved by both chambers in order to become law. Which principle does this represent?

a)

federalism

b)

checks and balances

c)

limited government

98.

The official name for North Carolina's Legislative branch is:

a)

The General Assembly

b)

Congress

c)

The Capitol

d)

NC Lawmaking Coalition

99.
According to Hobbes, people agreed to give up some __________________ in exchange for __________________ as part of the social contract.
a)
rights and power / protection
b)
food and shelter / weapons
c)
security and protection / freedom
d)
money / goods and services
100.

The willingness of people to hand over their rights to rules in exchange for law and social order is called...

a)

method of government

b)

enlightenment agreement

c)

social contract

d)

US Constitiution