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WorksheetsFCLE Practice Test
Total questions: 68
Worksheet time: 51mins
How did the Mayflower Compact influence the Declaration of Independence?
It declared the colonists' loyalty to the king.
It pledged that the people would work together for the good of all.
It established the idea of consent of the governed.
It limited the number of individual liberties that would be protected.
"Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America. This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither they have fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still." —Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1775.
Which statement describes the likely effect Paine’s words had on the colonists?
The colonists were far enough from England to maintain their freedom.
The colonists were safe from the injustices suffered while in England.
The colonists had to remain loyal since England was their parent country.
The colonists needed to be independent since England was not protecting their rights.
How does the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence demonstrate John Locke's Enlightenment ideas?
by describing separation of powers
by invoking natural rights
by listing specific rights
by explaining why independence is necessary
How do Articles II and III of the U.S. Constitution represent a change from the Articles of Confederation?
They provide for executive and judicial branches.
They provide for an amendment process.
They give Congress the power to regulate foreign and interstate trade.
They give states an equal number of representatives in Congress.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."
—The Federalist, No. 51, James Madison
Based on the excerpt, which principle in the U.S. Constitution is Madison showing support?
rule of law
judicial review
social contract
checks and balances
Which principles in the Constitution of Massachusetts are also in the U.S. Constitution?
separation of powers and rule of law
individual rights and the right to bear arms
limited government and consent of the governed
checks and balances and rule of law
Why was the addition of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution important to the Anti-Federalists?
They thought that the Constitution did not do enough to guarantee and protect against the power of the federal government.
They thought that the Constitution should include provisions for separation of powers and checks and balances.
They thought that the Bill of Rights was needed to ensure that there was a way to make changes to the Constitution.
They thought that the Bill of Rights would ensure that principles found in the Articles of Confederation would remain as part of the government.
A police officer pulls over a man driving his car. The officer orders the man out of the car. Then, offering no notice or legal document, the officer proceeds to search the vehicle.
Which part of the U.S. Constitution provides protection against this action?
Article III
Article IV
the Fourth Amendment
the Sixth Amendment
Which of the following did the U.S. Constitution model from the Constitution of Massachusetts?
Its preamble
Its amendment process
Its declaration of rights
Its power to tax
After the American Revolution, a group of settlers decides to move west of the Appalachian Mountains with the hope of starting a new life there. After several months, the group sends word to the U.S. government that the area is now a new state. The government says that statehood is not possible at this time.
Which document from the founding era should the settlers have paid attention?
Bill of Rights
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
The Federalist, No. 14
Mayflower Compact
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the articles in the U.S. Constitution?
to outline individual rights and freedoms
to set the goals for the U.S. government
to describe the framework of state governments
to establish the structure of the federal government
Which does this section of the U.S. Constitution describe?
judicial branch checks on the legislative branch
executive branch checks on the judicial branch
executive branch checks on the legislative branch
legislative branch checks on the executive branch
Why did the Founders create a system of checks and balances?
to establish that all branches report to the president
to empower Congress to veto proposed bills
to ensure that none of the branches would become too powerful
to allow the Supreme Court to nominate judges
Why is the Constitution considered to be a flexible document?
It created multiple branches of government.
It contains implied powers such as the elastic and general welfare clauses.
It includes a specific process for adding amendments.
It divides powers between state and federal governments.
Use the passage to answer the question that follows. "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." —Tenth Amendment, U.S. Constitution.
Whose powers are described in the Tenth Amendment?
The States
Congress
The President's
The Supreme Court
Which amendment prohibited denial of voting rights based on race?
Fourteenth
Fifteenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-Fourth
The citizens of Florida decide they need a $4 bill, so they vote and approve the plan in a statewide election. The federal government steps in and says that the state cannot produce money specifically for its own state.
Why is the federal government justified in taking this action?
Printing money is a reserved power.
Printing money is an elected power.
Printing money is a concurrent power.
Printing money is an enumerated power.
Use the passages below to answer the question that follows. "The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." —Nineteenth Amendment, U.S. Constitution "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age." —Twenty-Sixth Amendment, U.S. Constitution How are these two amendments to the U.S. Constitution similar?
They both make elections more inclusive for all citizens.
They both give states more control over the election process.
They both encourage younger Americans to participate in elections.
They both restrict access to voting for specific groups of Americans.
Maria and Alex were married in Texas five years ago, but they moved to Florida last month. Which part of the Constitution requires the state of Florida to officially recognize their marriage?
due process clause
equal protection clause
full faith and credit clause
necessary and proper clause
What are concurrent powers?
powers shared by the three branches of government
powers shared by the state and federal governments
powers designated exclusively for the state governments
powers designated exclusively for the federal government
Which of the following describes the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
to make the colonists ready for war
to provide a plan of government
to explain why the colonies wanted to separate from Britain
to explain why the American colonies were slaytastic
The police searched Emma’s home, and she was arrested based on evidence found in her home. However, in court, the judge ruled that the search had not been legal, and the evidence was thrown out.
Why did the judge suppress the evidence?
The police did not follow due process of law
The judge did not think there was enough evidence
The defendant was able to show just cause
There was no attorney assigned to defend Emma
Use the passage below to answer the question that follows. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." —The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution Which message do the opening words of the Preamble present?
The government is similar to that of the Articles of Confederation.
The government is created by the people and for the people.
The states will continue to be thought of as a loose union.
The government's leaders will be elected by the people.
Which statement describes the principle of separation of powers?
Two branches of government write and pass laws.
All branches of government enforce laws.
Three branches of government write and pass laws.
One branch of government enforces laws.
How did the ideas in The Federalist Papers demonstrate a difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation did not provide a plan of government.
The Articles of Confederation provided for a strong executive leader.
The Constitution gave the states greater control of their affairs.
The Constitution divided power between the states and the federal government.
In this instance, how does Congress act as a check on the president?
by opening an investigation
by declaring the action unconstitutional
by overriding the veto
by invoking the supremacy clause
How do the first 10 amendments to the Constitution (the Bill of Rights) reflect the Founders' goal of limited government?
They offer few protections to the people.
They only protect those rights specified in one of the amendments.
They prevent unfavorable stories about the government's actions.
They restrict the government's ability to act.
Which statement describes the principle of rule of law?
Only some people are expected to follow the laws.
No one is above the law.
Treatment under the law depends on one’s position.
Government actions must be kept secret for the public’s safety.
When are general elections for national offices held?
during odd-numbered years
every year during the first week of November
during even-numbered years
every six years
Use the passage below to answer the question that follows. "Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens . . . that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority." —The Federalist, No. 10
Which phrase summarizes the complaints of the citizens?
tyranny of the majority
consent of the governed
separation of powers
due process of law
Which of the following is a constitutional safeguard that protects the rights of minority citizens?
power of state governors to uphold the principle of states' rights
states' authority in determining the rules and process for elections
amendment ratification process requiring the support of three-fourths of the states
federal government control limiting the minimum age of legal voters
The concept in American democracy that no one is above the law originated from what political document?
the English Bill of Rights
the Magna Carta
the Social Contract
the Mayflower Compact
Why did some Founders want the Bill of Rights to be added to the U.S. Constitution?
to increase the power of the federal government
to defer questions of individual rights to the states
to align the nation’s new Constitution to that of Great Britain’s
to ensure a limited federal government
Which of the following defines popular sovereignty as conceived by the Founders?
government that is determined by the majority of voters
government that involves power being shared between federal and state governments
government that is created by and subject to the will of the people
government that is broken into three separate but equal branches
When questioned about being involved in a string of burglaries, Chris declined to talk to the police to prevent self-incrimination.
From which amendment does Chris draw this legal protection?
First Amendment
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Fourteenth Amendment
Which was the main purpose of The Federalist Papers?
to convince Americans to adopt the Articles of Confederation
to support the ratification of the Constitution
to argue for a more decentralized federal government
to gather support for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights
How can Congress check the powers of the president?
by appointing federal judges
by creating lower courts
by overriding a veto
by declaring a law unconstitutional
"I strongly believe that the Constitution accords citizens and press an unconditional freedom to criticize official conduct." —Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., for the Court, majority opinion in New York Times v. Sullivan, 1964.
Which part of the Constitution is the Supreme Court relying in this statement?
First Amendment
Second Amendment
Article V
Sixth Amendment
What is the main goal of separation of powers?
to make sure that only one branch of government is ultimately in charge
to ensure that all branches of government have the power to enforce laws
to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful
to allow all branches of government to act independently
What federal government office is elected every two years?
U.S. House of Representatives
Attorney Generals
U.S. senators
President of the United States
Which of the following powers can the judicial branch of government use to stop a tyrannical Congress?
It can impeach the leading members of Congress.
It can rewrite legislation so that it aligns with the Constitution.
It can declare congressional laws unconstitutional.
It can force the president to veto laws that it finds objectionable.
What is federalism?
government created to establish a weak central government
government built on the idea of representational democracy
power controlled by a large, strong national government
power divided between the national and state governments
What is the principle of the rule of law in American democracy?
Everyone is supposed to be treated equally by the law.
Government officials cannot always be held accountable for their actions.
Elected officials are allowed to change established legal procedures.
States have the authority to ignore or change constitutional laws.
In the early 1970s, women’s organizations around the country finally realized success when the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was debated in Congress and was on track to become part of the U.S. Constitution. Congress passed the ERA in 1972. Thirty-five states ratified the amendment by the 1982 congressional deadline. However, the ERA was not added to the Constitution.
Why did the ERA fail?
It did not receive the required support of three-fourths of the states.
Proposed amendments also require presidential support, which the ERA lacked.
It did not meet the constitutional time limit for ratification described in Article V.
Proposed amendments require all the states to ratify constitutional amendments.
Which statement describes the main problem with the Articles of Confederation?
It placed power in the hands of an elite few.
It created a weak national government.
It did not protect civil liberties.
It made the states powerless.
How is the Fourteenth Amendment different from the Fifth Amendment concerning due process?
It limits due process to only the federal government.
It allows Americans in foreign countries to appeal using due process.
It restricts due process for some legal citizens of the U.S.
It expands due process to the states.
Use the passage to answer the question that follows. "When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner." —Charles-Louis de Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, 1748
Which principle of American democratic government is Montesquieu describing in this quote?
separation of powers
rule of law
republican government
bicameral legislature
Which of the following statements describes the supremacy clause in the U.S. Constitution?
Federal laws take precedence over state laws and state constitutions.
The judicial branch has higher powers than the executive and legislative branches.
The Senate has greater legislative authority than the House of Representatives.
State laws override federal laws on issues related to immigration and citizenship.
Which of the following clauses in the U.S. Constitution forms the basis of the Court's opinion, upholding Congress's broad powers?
necessary and proper clause
commerce clause
full faith and credit clause
general welfare clause
What are reserved powers?
powers delegated exclusively to state governments
powers delegated exclusively to the federal government
powers shared by the national and state governments
powers shared by the three branches of government
Which article of the U.S. Constitution grants the power to veto legislation, appoint judges, and pardon federal criminals?
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
Which of the following is a power of the judicial branch?
power to appoint federal judges
power to appropriate money
power to declare executive actions unconstitutional
power to veto laws
Use the scenario below to answer the question that follows. Marcell, who lives in Florida, just received his driver’s license and is planning to visit several colleges located in four different states. Which part of the Constitution requires those states to recognize Marcell’s Florida driver’s license?
equal protection clause
necessary and proper clause
due process clause
full faith and credit clause
How does the Fourteenth Amendment safeguard individual rights?
It ensures that the government follows the law and uses established procedures.
It guarantees all citizens equal protection under the law.
It eliminates poll taxes in federal elections.
It grants citizens 18 years of age and older the right to vote.
- What document is this from?
the idea that the government’s authority comes from the people
popular sovereignty
majority rule
federalism
populism
8.15(D) Which government principle is illustrated in the diagram?
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
Republicanism
Separation of Powers
Which of the following was a direct result of the Compromise of 1850?
The election of Abraham Lincoln
The passage of the Homestead Act
The repeal of the Missouri Compromise
The admission of California as a free state
What did the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 establish regarding the issue of slavery?
It required all escaped slaves to be returned to their owners
It banned slavery in all new territories
It allowed settlers to decide the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty
It made Kansas a free state and Nebraska a slave state
What was the main purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?
To encourage settlement of the western territories by offering free land to settlers
To establish new slave states in the western territories
To provide land to Native Americans in the western territories and encourage their assimilation into the United States government.
To abolish slavery in the United States
Which of the following was a major impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
It abolished the Electoral College system.
It granted women the right to vote.
It prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
It established the Department of Homeland Security.
How did the Civil Rights Act of 1991 differ from the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
It banned segregation in public schools.
It created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
It expanded protections against employment discrimination and allowed for jury trials and damages.
It focused on voting rights for African Americans.
What was a primary purpose of the US Patriot Act of 2001?
To increase protections for civil rights in the workplace.
To strengthen national security and expand government surveillance powers.
To end racial segregation in public facilities.
To guarantee equal pay for equal work.
