WorksheetsUS Government Quiz
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 30mins
By using the phrase “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson and the American Founders were arguing that —
the Anglican Church did not have sole religious authority
the British government was based on the divine-right theory
the colonies had the right to independence because of natural law
the colonies can establish a separate church free of government influence
The Declaration of Independence lists “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as —
state’s rights
legislative duties
unalienable rights
governmental powers
Which political idea is based on the belief that citizens must be willing to give up some freedoms in exchange for the protection of rights?
Divine right
Natural rights
Social contract
Rule by the majority
In which instance would the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
The state of Mississippi disputes a land claim with the state of Louisiana
A U.S. citizen in Michigan is accused of committing acts of terrorism in Virginia
A large computer firm is alleged to hold a market monopoly on widely used software
The captain of an oil tanker causing a spill along protected U.S. waters is suspected of negligence
The citizens’ movement shown in the photograph effectively participated in the political process by —
serving on local city councils
organizing various protest marches
lobbying for constitutional changes
voting for African American candidates
A chief function of political parties is to —
conduct door to door surveys
nominate candidates for office
organize transportation to the polls
assist in monitoring overseas elections
Which of the following belongs in Section II?
Collect taxes
Raise an army
Provide school textbooks
Ensure home fire protection
The compromise that created popular representation in the House of Representatives created a debate about —
voting rights for women
counting enslaved people
protection of individual rights
citizenship for American Indians
What resolution came about in response to the debate over legislative representation?
The Virginia Plan
The New Jersey Plan
The Great Compromise
The Article of Confederation
The Founding Fathers chose to establish a federal system in order to —
create a government with divided power
model the government after the one in Britain
experiment with a new system of government
concentrate government power at the national level
Which set of events is the correct sequence for electing the U.S. president?
Party nomination in convention, Campaigning; primaries and caucuses, General election, Electoral College
Campaigning; primaries and caucuses, Party nomination in convention, General election, Electoral College
Party nomination in convention, General election, Campaigning; primaries and caucuses, Electoral College
Electoral College, Party nomination in convention, Campaigning; primaries and caucuses, General election
Which of the following actions is a function of state governments, but not the federal government?
Collecting income taxes
Providing a postal system
Selecting public school textbooks
Constructing and maintaining roads
Which power is granted to the federal government, but not to state governments?
Collecting corporate taxes
Issuing professional licenses
Maintaining a standing army
Providing fire protection for homes
Which rights listed in the Declaration of Independence are considered unalienable rights?
Justice, freedom, equality
Liberty, equality, fraternity
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
Freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and petition
The Founding Fathers chose to ensure religious freedom in the First Amendment in order to -
protect against the power of a government-sponsored religion
allow state governments to make laws restricting religious activities
ensure that future presidents of the United States would be Christian
guard against the spread of Catholicism as immigrants arrived in America
When a judge defers actions to the legislative and executive branches, except for cases that are clearly unconstitutional, that judge is practicing —
judicial review
judicial restraint
judicial activism
judicial constructionism
Which kind of judicial decision-making acknowledges the power of judges to promote new social policy by overturning precedent?
Judicial restraint
Judicial activism
Judicial constitutionality
Judicial majority
A free press is a necessity in the United States because it —
reports the news daily
guarantees separation of powers
equalizes the political party powers
checks the power of the government
The protection of personal freedoms in the First Amendment is important because it serves as —
a shield for government leaders
an inspiration for other governments
a check on the power of the government
a model for government agencies to follow
Which group has the power to advise and consent on some executive decisions?
Senate
Congress
Supreme Court
House of Representatives
Allowing the Virginia Plan as well as the New Jersey Plan to determine the structure of Congress resulted in a —
bicameral legislature
unicameral legislature
parliamentary system
national and state legislatures
Which of the following is a fundamental principle of government necessary for the protection of individual rights?
Establishing majority rule
Respecting the rule of law
Providing a common defense
Following parliamentary procedure
A chief way third-party candidates exert influence on elections is by —
attracting more voters to the polls
creating more lively candidate debates
shifting national attention to particular issues
increasing the amount of campaign contributions
How did the Supreme Court apply First Amendment protections to the decision of Engel v. Vitale?
Protesters have the right of free speech as long as they are peaceful
Students are not required to pray in school under the establishment clause
Newspapers may print the facts liberally under freedom of press
Adults have the freedom to choose their religion under the free exercise clause
How did the decision of Miranda v. Arizona impact due process for accused persons?
Accused people now must be made aware of their rights
Accused people now must be held in jail until trial
Accused people now do not have to worry about a trial
Accused people now may post a bond to be released from pre-trial detention
