wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Civil Literacy Final Section 1

Total questions: 78

Worksheet time: 46mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Thomas Hobbes is known for which of the following?
a)
Natural Rights
b)
Divine Right of Kings
c)
Social Contract
d)
Common Law
2.
The idea of Natural Rights can be attributed to who?
a)
George Washington
b)
Adam Smith
c)
John Locke
d)
Thomas Jefferson
3.

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.

4.

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

5.

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

6.

In this form of government, citizens have lots of power and actively participate in government.

a)

authoritarian

b)

autocracy

c)

oligarchy

d)

democracy

7.

In this form of government, citizens vote directly on laws.

a)

direct democracy

b)

representative democracy

8.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Judicial Branch

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

Constitution of the United States

9.

What are Checks and Balances

a)

it makes people check their bank accounts and balance their check books.

b)

it makes sure that each branch of government doesn't become too powerful

c)

it makes sure that each branch of government reduces its power and force congress to take over in an emergency.

d)

it makes people check their news outlets to keep an eye on the government.

10.

What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?

a)

Increased the power of the president

b)

Limits the powers of the federal government

c)

Force aliens to live in area 51

d)

Encourage more amendments to be made

11.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The first system of government after the Revolution

b)

written by Madison about the Constitutional Convention

c)

Used to declare Independence from England

d)

document written by Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves

12.
The authors of the Third Amendment were most strongly influenced by which of these events?
a)
the signing of the Declaration of Independence
b)
the actions of British soldiers at the Boston Massacre
c)
the passage of the Quartering Act by the British Parliament
d)
the British blockade of American ports during the Revolutionary War
13.

What is the main purpose of the Bill of Rights?

a)

to limit the power of the federal government

b)

to outline the responsibilities of elected officials

c)

to guarantee political rights needed in any democracy

d)

to balance power among the levels of government

14.

This individual helped write the Federalist Papers, negotiated a treaty with Britain and became the 1st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

a)

John Jay

b)

Charles Carroll

c)

Benjamin Rush

d)

John Hancock

15.

What was the main reason why Daniel Shays rebelled against the new U.S. Government?

a)

The Articles of Confederation could not tax and therefore raise revenue

b)

There had to have a consensus to change The Articles of Confederation

c)

The Articles of Confederation could not enforce treaties made with other countries

d)

The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to regulate interstate trade

16.

In a dictatorship, where does the ultimate power come from?

a)

the dictator

b)

the police

c)

the people

d)

representatives

17.

Which Amendment to the US Constitution defines what citizenship is?

a)

5th Amendment

b)

1st Amendment

c)

14th Amendment

d)

2nd Amendment

18.

If someone isn't born in the United States, what process must they go through to become a citizen?

a)

Naturalization

b)

Immigration

c)

Citizenship

d)

None of the above

19.

Which of the following is an example of a civic duty?

a)

Getting a drivers license

b)

Registering to vote

c)

Paying taxes

d)

Participate in political campaigns

20.

Which of the following is both a right and a responsibility

a)

Voting in an election

b)

Obeying the law

c)

Celebrating a religious holiday

d)

Getting good grades in school

21.

Which person would need to go through the naturalization process to become a United States citizen?

a)

a girl born in Canada to two Canadian parents

b)

a girl born in German to parents who are U.S. citizens

c)

a boy born in Puerto Rico to parents who are not U.S. citizens

d)

twins born on a U.S. military base

22.

All of the following are characteristics of an authoritarian regime EXCEPT

a)

Censorship

b)

Minority Rules

c)

Command Economy

d)

Limited Government

23.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a democratic government?

a)

Limited Government

b)

Rule of Law

c)

Government controlled media

d)

Free, Fair and Competitive Elections

24.

One explanation for very low rates of immigration from 1941 to 1950 is

a)

countries around the world were experiencing an economic upturn.

b)

Foreigners no longer thought the US was a better place to be.

c)

World War I made migration difficult.

d)

World War II made migration difficult.

25.

Which of the following is true about immigration at the turn of the 20th century?

a)

Large numbers of immigrants were coming from Canada

b)

Most immigrants were coming from western European nations.

c)

Large numbers of immigrants were coming from eastern European nations.

d)

Immigration was at an historic low.

26.

Historically, what was one of the reasons people practiced Civil Disobedience?

a)

Citizens didn't like a politician

b)

Citizens didn't like having a democracy

c)

There were too many laws being made

d)

Laws were unfair to people of different races/ ethnicities

27.
Which is an example of freedom of petition?
a)
attend a Girls Scout meeting about the upcoming cookie fundraiser 
b)
write an article for the local news paper about the outstanding students at Lake Elementary
c)
collect signatures supporting the fundraiser for the new school
d)
going to church
28.
How can citizens influence their government?
a)
by voting and communicating with officials
b)
by watching the news
c)
volunteering to help Mrs. Bruner with Saturday school
d)
volunteering to work in a hospital
29.
What is an example of the 5th amendment?
a)
Unlawful search and seizure.
b)
Being charged for the same crime twice.
c)
Quartering of troops.
d)
Cruel and unusual punishment.
30.
Which principle of the Constitution is most directly reflects the ideas of the Baron de Montesquieu?
a)
separation of powers 
b)
limited government
c)
federalism
d)
popular sovereignty
31.

Study the image above. Which of the following should you place on the line labeled "F?"

a)

Judicial

b)

Executive

c)

Supremacy

d)

Legislative

32.

Which of the following statements is true of the legislative branch?

a)

It has two sections, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

b)

It is responsible for meetings with foreign leaders to make treaties.

c)

It contains the president, vice president, and heads of federal offices.

d)

It makes sure that the courts in every state follow national laws.

33.

To "execute" the laws means to

a)

Interpret the laws

b)

Create the laws

c)

Make new laws

d)

Carry out the laws

34.

A young lawyer wishes to work in the federal government to improve society. The lawyer is 32 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and living in Kansas since birth. Which position could voters elect the lawyer to fill?

a)

Supreme Court justice

b)

Senator

c)

Vice president

d)

President

35.

Which branch of government has the power to pardon people found guilty of federal crimes?

a)

Executive

b)

Military

c)

Legislative

d)

Judicial

36.

The division of power between the federal government and state governments is called

a)

The United States

b)

the Supremacy Clause

c)

the Necessary and Proper Clause

d)

Federalism

37.

This says that Federal law is to be followed if there is a conflict between a state law and federal law.

a)

reserved powers

b)

Supremacy Clause

c)

denied powers

38.

Regulating trade with foreign countries (imports) is a(n)

a)

National Power

b)

Concurrent Power

c)

State Power

39.

Which document establishes a federal system of government in the United States?

a)

The Bill of Rights

b)

The Constitution

c)

The Declaration of Independence

d)

The Bible

40.
The enforceable rules of conduct in a society which typically reflect the culture and circumstances that create them are called ______. 
a)
codes
b)
laws
c)
ethics
d)
morals
41.
The two systems of law in use today are the English common law and the ________.
a)
American Constitution
b)
French legal code
c)
Roman civil law
d)
none of the above
42.
_________ law, are laws based on the current standards or customs of people.
a)
Standard
b)
Common
c)
Positive
d)
Federal 
43.

A court order requiring explanation to a judge why a prisoner is being held in custody

a)

Writ of Habeas Corpus

b)

Bills of Attainder

c)

Ex Post Facto Laws

d)

Due Process of Law

44.
These laws include a wide range of subjects such as personal injury, divorce, taxes, property, and employment.
a)

Criminal Laws

b)

Civil Laws

c)

Military Laws

d)

Juvenile Laws

45.

Where do most legal actions happen?

a)

local court 

b)

state court

c)

federal court

46.

What are the three basic functions of the court system?

a)

Settle disputes, interpret the laws, create expectations for future actions

b)

Judge criminals, punish people, set boundaries

c)

establish rules, create laws, punish criminals

47.

The common law system developed in _______ when there were few written laws and judges decided cases on their own sense of fairness.

a)

America

b)

England

c)

France

d)

Germany

48.

Feds ask for PRIOR RESTRAINT (ability to censor something before it is published) to stop publishing the Pentagon Papers. This freedom of the press case led to a ruling that the government may not censor information unless it revels secrets involving national security.

a)

NY Times v. U.S. (1971)

b)

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

c)

Baker v. Carr (1961)

d)

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

49.

A case about Presidential appointments originally, this case created one of the most important precedents in history. The SCOTUS rules that it may ultimately decide if laws are constitutional or not, establishing the principle of JUDICIAL REVIEW.

a)

Roe v. Wade (1973)

b)

Schenck v. U.S. (1919)

c)

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

d)

Marbury v. Madison ( 1803)

50.

Students at a high school were recently suspended for wearing religious symbols on their clothing. What Supreme Court case could the students use to defend their position?

a)

Plessy v. Ferguson

b)

Tinker v. Des Moines

c)

Bush v. Gore

d)

Gideon v. Wainwright

51.
Which court case expressed that all individuals have the right to an attorney for any criminal charge?
a)

Lemon v Kurtman

b)

Gideon v Wainwright

c)

US v Nixon

d)

Brown v Board of Ed

52.

Which of these statements best explains why school officials are allowed to search a student’s locker without a search warrant?

a)

It is illegal for police officers to enter school property

b)

All constitutional rights are denied to students who are under 21 years of age

c)

School officials are part of local police departments

d)

It is considered necessary for protection of other students

53.
1896- established “separate but equal” by which segregation became legal as long as the facilities for each race w
a)
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
b)
McCulloch v. Maryland
c)
Plessy v. Ferguson
d)
Brown v. Board of Education 
54.
Ruled segregation of Mexican-American children illegal in California unless a special state law requires it 
a)
Mendez v. Westminster (1947)
b)
San Antonio ISD v. Rodriguez (1973)
c)
Delgado v. Bastrop I.S.D. (1948)
d)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
55.
When Linda Brown was barred from going to the school closest to her home, this led to what legal case in 1954?
a)
Beacon vs Board of Education of New York City, New York
b)
Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
c)
Brown vs Board of Education of Chicago, Illinois
d)
Brown vs Board of Marchers, Topeka, Kansas
56.

Which court case determined that segregation of Mexican American students in TEXAS was illegal?

a)

Mendez v. Westminster

b)

Delgado v. Bastrop

c)

Edgewood v. Kirby

d)

White v. Regester

57.
Which court case issue did Jefferson order Madison NOT to deliver Adam's last-minute judge appointments?
a)
Madison v Marbury
b)
McCulloch v Maryland
c)
Gibbson v Ogden
58.

The power of the judicial branch to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches and determine whether or not they are unconstitutional (this includes laws passed by Congress); the U.S. Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established this power

a)

judicial review

b)

executive review

c)

legislative process

d)

due process

59.

What did the Supreme Court decide in the Korematsu V. US case?

a)

Because the United States was at war, racial discrimination is constitutional

b)

Racial discrimination is unconstitutional

c)

The president should be impeached

d)

Korematsu was right to deny the executive order

60.

Match the following

a)

political party

1.

a group who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office

b)

bipartisan

2.

supported by two political parties

c)

partisanship

3.

strong loyalty to a party and its policy views

d)

coalition

4.

an alliance of groups who come together to form a majority and control government

e)

ideological

5.

a set of beliefs in social, economic, and political matters

61.

the range of political views

a)

political spectrum

b)

bipartisanship

c)

political parties

d)

partisanship

62.

What type of system do we have in the u.s.?

a)

Two Party System

b)

Three Party System

c)

Bicameral System

d)

Congressional System

63.

Social welfare programs, government regulation of business practices, and programs to improve the status of minorities are most associated with which political party?

a)

Republican Party

b)

  Democratic Party

c)

Libertarian Party

d)

Green Party

64.

What is at stake in this year's mid-term elections? (Choose all that apply)

a)

Control of Congress

b)

Who will be President

c)

State Elections for Governor

d)

Elections for Supreme Court Justices

65.

What is the most important function of the national convention?

a)

writing the party's platform

b)

adopting the party's rules

c)

advancing State and local candidates

d)

picking the party's presidential candidate

66.

What is the term for voting?

a)

suffrage

b)

duty

c)

responsibility

d)

apathy

67.

What is a list of candidates?

a)

ballot

b)

polling place

c)

apathy

d)

voter turnout rate

68.

What amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote?

a)

15

b)

19

c)

24

d)

26

69.
Voting age changed from 21 years old to 18 years old. Which amendment is this?
a)

25th

b)

14th

c)

26th

d)

12th

70.

In the 1700s and 1800s, only people who owned _____ were eligible to vote,

a)

citizenship cards

b)

property

c)

registration cards

d)

slaves

71.
Which is true about PACs?
a)

They can spend unlimited money on campaigns

b)

They do not have to disclose donors

c)

They are limited in the amount they can contribute

d)

They are regulated by the IRS not FEC

72.
Which is true of SuperPACs
a)

are not regulated by the Federal Election Committee

b)

are allowed to coordinate with candidates

c)

Can receive unlimited donations and spend as much as they want

d)

cannot use express advocacy

73.
The media does not influence public opinion by using bias, symbolism or propaganda.
a)
True
b)
False
74.

Minorities faced barriers to voting such as poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and scare tactics.

a)

True

b)

False

75.

If there is a tied vote in the Senate the President of the Senate can break it. Who gets to break the vote today?

a)

Joe Biden

b)

Mitch McConnel

c)

Kamala Harris

d)

Nancy Pelosi

76.

What position is considered the most influential/powerful in the Senate?

a)

President Pro Tempore

b)

Majority Leader

c)

President of the Senate

d)

Speaker

77.

What Congressional Leadership position is responsible for making sure that Congressmembers stay "in-line" with the party vote.

a)

Senior Committee Chairs

b)

Minority Leaders

c)

Whips

d)

Majority Leaders

78.

What other position does the President of the Senate hold?

a)

President of the United States

b)

United States Attorney General

c)

Secretary of State

d)

Vice President of the United States