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SOL Review Civics Test 1

Total questions: 84

Worksheet time: 2hrs 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which floor would a teenager go to for misdemeanor charges?

a)

1st

b)

2nd

c)

3rd

d)

4th

2.

Which branch of government has the power to declare Virginia laws unconstitutional?

a)

state judicial branch

b)

federal executive branch

c)

state executive branch

d)

federal legislative branch

3.

The local government in Virginia most likely created this law in order to....

a)

promote public health

b)

support federal laws

c)

protect consumer rights

d)

regulate land use

4.

The principle of federalism gives governmental power to...

a)

the county and local governments

b)

a strong confederate government

c)

the national and state governments

d)

a powerful state government

5.

The powers of local Virginia governments are granted directly by the....

a)

Virginia Circuit Court

b)

Constitution of Virginia

c)

United States Attorney General

d)

Constitution of the United States

6.

Which action by the Governor of Virginia is an example of maintaining public safety?

a)

delivering a speech to the General Assembly of Virginia

b)

sending Virginia's National Guard to help after a disaster

c)

working on Virginia's budget with the Secretary of Finance

d)

attending a meeting on the Virginia economy

7.

Which person is eligible to register to vote in the state of Virginia?

a)

Alyssa

b)

Ranjan

c)

Carla

d)

Rick

8.

Which power is a responsibility of the Virginia General Assembly?

a)

exercises judicial review

b)

approves the state budget

c)

regulates the economy

d)

administers state bureaucracy

9.

What is the correct sequence for the law-making process in the General Assembly?

a)

1,3,4,2

b)

2,4,1,3

c)

1,4,3,2

d)

2,1,4,3

10.

Which person has the best chance of influencing local legislation?

a)

b)

c)

d)

11.

Local governments preparing a response for an international health crisis would most likely....

a)

end visits by international travellers

b)

develop a public safety plan for the city

c)

shut down international airline flights

d)

ask the military to police the city

12.

During the school year, which student would be the best match for this job?

a)

Lisa goes to school every day and is often late

b)

Juanita has good attendance and good work skills

c)

Mike studies hard and plays in all after school programs

d)

Shawn will graduate early and attend an out-of-state college

13.

One way for Mrs. Jones to gain this office is to be elected by ....

a)

members of the Governor's cabinet

b)

legislative representatives of the county

c)

members of the General Assembly

d)

registered voters of the city

14.

Which meeting would a person attend to hear only legislation concerning the local county?

a)

8 AM

b)

9 AM

c)

10 AM

d)

11 AM

15.

This headline illustrates a power of which branch of government?

a)

state executive

b)

state legislative

c)

federal legislative

d)

federal judicial

16.

This letter is an example of...

a)

demonstrating

b)

lobbying

c)

policymaking

d)

campaigning

17.

In this situation, the President is acting as the ....

a)

chief citizen

b)

chief diplomat

c)

chief legislator

d)

chief executive

18.

Which level of government can declare war on foreign nations?

a)

city

b)

state

c)

county

d)

federal

19.

Which phrase completes this diagram?

a)

state population

b)

the number of political districts

c)

voter registration

d)

the number of state senators

20.

Which action is an example of political lobbying?

a)

The governor gives special advice to legislative members

b)

A mayoral candidate holds a campaign rally for registered voters

c)

The local newspaper exposes corrupt practices in election campaigns

d)

A health group asks legislators to pass tougher antipollution laws

21.

How are implied powers most often used by the United States Congress?

a)

To help carry out expressed powers

b)

To force the executive branch to sign new legislation

c)

To encourage citizens to vote

d)

To give the government veto powers

22.

Which executive power is being demonstrated in this drawing?

a)

power to influence legislation

b)

ability to veto legislation

c)

power to approve cabinet members

d)

ability to change judicial decisions

23.

This action is one way the president can influence....

a)

judicial review

b)

foreign affairs

c)

international trade

d)

national policies/legislation

24.

Which action is most likely to occur at this event?

a)

entering a plea

b)

filing of an appeal

c)

reading of a verdict

d)

selection of a jury

25.

Which legal process does this headline describe?

a)

legislative proceeding

b)

civil trial

c)

judicial review

d)

criminal prosecution

26.

This headline describes a case involving....

a)

civil rights

b)

property rights

c)

employee rights

d)

consumer rights

27.

Which amendment led to this decision?

a)

5th

b)

8th

c)

13th

d)

16th

28.

In a criminal case, a jury determines....

a)

how much money one person needs to pay another person

b)

whether somone is guilty of breaking the law

c)

the best way to settle a disagreement between two people

d)

whether a person's plea deal can be accepted

29.

In which court case did the United States Supreme Court establish the power of judicial review?

a)

Dred Scott v. Sandford

b)

Brown v. Board of Education

c)

Marbury v. Madison

d)

Plessy v. Ferguson

30.

Role of the President when presenting a medal during a ceremony

a)

Commander in Chief

b)

Chief of State

c)

Chief Executive

d)

Chief Citizen

31.

Calling a special session of Congress is the President's check over which branch

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Legislative

d)

Supreme Court

32.

Appointed official that represents the U.S. in another country

a)

Delegate

b)

Representative

c)

Senator

d)

Ambassador

33.

The annual speech the President give to Congress to influence policymaking

a)

State of the Union Address

b)

Condition of the Universe Speech

c)

State of the Commonwealth Address

d)

Condition of the State Speech

34.

Powers of the Legislative Branch that ARE specifically written in the Constitution

a)

Expressed Powers

b)

Implied Powers

c)

Concurrent Powers

d)

They have no powers

35.

What step happens after a bill is introduced

a)

Sent to the President to sign

b)

Voted on

c)

Debated on the floor

d)

Worked on in committee

36.

Where in the Constitution do you find the Executive Branch powers

a)

Preamble

b)

Article 1

c)

Article 2

d)

10th Amendment

37.

How can Congress check the President's power of veto

a)

Override with a simple majority vote in one house

b)

They have no check over this power

c)

Override with a 2/3 vote of both houses

d)

Arm wrestle the President

38.

Branch that confirms or approves the President's appointments

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Cabinet Branch

c)

Legislative Branch

d)

Judicial Branch

39.

Role of the President when making a treaty with a foreign country

a)

Commander in Chief

b)

Chief Executive

c)

Chief Legislator

d)

Chief Diplomat

40.

Name for the Cabinet and everyone in the executive branch

a)

Federal Branch

b)

Federalism

c)

Federal Group

d)

Federal Bureaucracy

41.

What is the job of the President's Cabinet

a)

Write laws

b)

Help carry out laws

c)

Introduce bills

d)

Vote on legislation

42.
These are the two parts of the Legislative branch: 
a)
Governor and Senate
b)
Senate and House of Representatives 
c)
House of Representatives and Governor
d)
Mayor and Governor
43.
There are ____________ senators.
a)
100
b)
0
c)
20
d)
10,000
44.
The number of representatives a state has is based on the state's _________________________.
a)
location
b)
name
c)
population
d)
altitude
45.
_______________________ and _______________________ are elected by voters in their states.
a)
Speakers and Station Managers
b)
Judges and Lawyers
c)
Senators and Representatives
d)
Principals and Teachers
46.

True or False: The number of senators is the same for all states

a)

True

b)

False

47.
The power of the courts to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution is known as...
a)
Stare Decisis
b)
Writ of Certiorari
c)
Precedent
d)
Judicial Review
48.

Courts decide when to send a criminal to jail. The courts' activities relate to which branch of government?

a)

judicial

b)

legislative

c)

executive

d)

administrative

49.
A challenge to a previous legal decision
a)
jurisdiction
b)
felony
c)
precedent
d)
appeal
50.
The legislative branch is also called...
a)
The House
b)
The Senate
c)
Congress
d)
The President
51.

What group of people help the president do his or her job?

a)

the Congress

b)

the Supreme Court

c)

the cabinet

d)

the Speaker of the House

52.
What check does the U.S. Senate have on the president?
a)
     overriding vetoes
b)
     appointing judges
c)
   declaring laws unconstitutional
d)
   refusing to confirm appointments
53.
Which principle does the U.S. Supreme Court apply when it declares an act of Congress unconstitutional?
a)
a.  separation of powers
b)
a.  checks and balances
c)
a.  advice and consent
d)
a.  executive privilege
54.
Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines legislative power?
a)
First Amendment
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Preamble
d)
Article I
55.
Which part of the U.S. Constitution outlines Judicial  power?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article IV
56.

The Executive Branch:

a)

makes laws

b)

interprets laws

c)

enforces laws

d)

dislikes laws

57.

The Judicial Branch:

a)

Makes laws

b)

Enforces laws

c)

Designs laws

d)

Interprets laws

58.

Which of the following is a power held by Congress?

a)

Negotiate treaties

b)

Regulate trade

c)

Appoint officials

d)

Decide if laws are unconstitutional

59.

How many members of the House of Representatives?

a)

199

b)

100

c)

435

d)

2

60.
Where is the structure of Virginia's government described?
a)
U.S. Constitution
b)
Virginia Constitution
c)
VA Declaration of Rights
d)
VA Statute for Religious Freedom
61.
Which of the following is a power of the Governor of Virginia?
a)
Declaring War
b)
Conducting Foreign Policy
c)
Making Laws
d)
Appointing Cabinet Members
62.
Which of the following is NOT something the General Assembly makes decisions about?
a)
Education
b)
Environment
c)
Foreign policy
d)
Public Health
63.
Which of the following is the only court where a jury might determine the verdict?
a)
General District
b)
Circuit
c)
Court of Appeals
d)
Supreme Court
64.
How do residents of a city/town choose a mayor?
a)
They are appointed by the governor
b)
The residents of the city/town elect them
c)
They are chosen by the General Assembly
d)
They are chosen by the Governor's Cabinet
65.
Which of the following is not responsible for creating ordinances at the local level?
a)
City Council
b)
Town Council
c)
General Assembly
d)
Board of Supervisors
66.
Which state court is responsible for declaring state laws Unconstitutional?
a)
VA Juvenile Court
b)
VA Supreme Court
c)
VA Court of Appeals
d)
VA Circuit Court
67.
Which of the following describes the Governor acting as Chief Administrator?
a)
Appointing Cabinet Members
b)
Calling up the National Guard
c)
Signing a bill into law
d)
Giving someone an award
68.
Why does the General District Court NOT have appellate jurisdiction?
a)
They don't have a jury
b)
They have no lower court to review
c)
State courts can only have one type of jurisdiction
d)
They only deal with criminal cases
69.
Which is not considered to be a unit of local government?
a)
counties
b)
towns
c)
cities
d)
states
70.
Counties in VA have an elected ______.  They enact ordinances and adopt an annual budget.
a)
general assembly
b)
city council
c)
congress
d)
board of supervisors
71.
rules for cities and counties are called
a)
laws
b)
ordinances
c)
duties
d)
responsibilities
72.
Each VA county/city has an elected or appointed _______.  They oversee the operation of k-12 public schools in the city/county.
a)
board of supervisors
b)
city council
c)
school board
d)
sheriff
73.
Who can be hired by the county, town, or city legislative branch to over see the operations of the local government?
a)
mayor
b)
a school board
c)
a sheriff
d)
a manager
74.
In each Virginia locality, sheriffs, the clerk of courts, the commissioner of revenue, and the treasurer are ______________ positions.
a)
elected
b)
appointed
75.
Which is not a power of Virginia local government?
a)
enforce state and local laws
b)
conduct foreign policy
c)
promote public health
d)
protect public safety
76.
Where do the powers for Virginia local government come from?
a)
VA Constitution and the US Constitution
b)
Acts of Congress and VA General Assembly
c)
VA Constitution and acts of the General Assembly
d)
Acts of Congress and the VA Constitition
77.
Where are the powers listed for a city?
a)
board of supervisors
b)
VA Constitution
c)
US Constitution
d)
city charters
78.
Individuals have the greatest influence in which level of government?
a)
local government
b)
state government
c)
national government
79.
What are the two parts of today's General Assembly?
a)
House of Representatives & Senate
b)
House of Burgesses & Senate
c)
House of Burgeses & Governor's Council
d)
House of Delegates & Senate
80.
Who is the chief lawyer for the state?
a)
Governor
b)
Lieutenant Governor
c)
Mayor
d)
Attorney General
81.
The division of power between the states and national government is known as the principle of ______________.
a)
separation of powers
b)
federalism
c)
reserved powers
d)
checks & balances
82.
What type of powers does the Constitution give to state governments?
a)
Expressed powers
b)
Concurrent powers
c)
Inherent powers
d)
Reserved powers
83.
In the state government who appoints cabinet members to oversee specific functions of the government?
a)
governor
b)
mayor
c)
lieutenant governor
d)
sheriff
84.
Which branch of the state government includes the supreme court and the district court
a)
legislative
b)
executive
c)
judicial
d)
none