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Civics Exam Review EHHS

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 54mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The most important reason for studying civics is so that we can

a)

understand immigration quotas.

b)

learn to become responsible citizens.

c)

interpret birthrates and death rates.

d)

learn about the best places to live.

2.

All of the following freedoms are protected in the United States EXCEPT

a)

the freedom to learn.

b)

the freedom to choose a job or a career.

c)

the freedom to disregard the rights of others.

d)

the freedom to own a house.

3.

Information gathered in the U.S. census

a)

helps us plan for the future.

b)

determines how many people from each state will be elected to the House of Representatives.

c)

gives information about the growth or decline of a particular region.

d)

all of the above

4.

Under the Articles of Confederation,

a)

each state had one vote in the lawmaking house.

b)

a president carried out the nation’s laws.

c)

a national court system interpreted the nation’s laws.

d)

the nation had a strong central government.

5.

The Federalists

a)

opposed the ratification of the Constitution.

b)

opposed a strong central government.

c)

supported the division of the United States into 13 separate nations.

d)

supported the ratification of the Constitution.

6.

The most serious disagreement at the Constitutional Convention arose over the issue of

a)

representation in the legislature.

b)

whether to have a king or a president.

c)

the Canadian border.

d)

the location of the nation's capital.

7.

The Declaration of Independence

a)

states that the purpose of government is to protect political rights.

b)

explains the reasons the thirteen colonies separated from Great Britain.

c)

was not meant to provide a government for the new United States.

d)

all of the above

8.

Federalism

a)

divides a government's powers between the national and state governments.

b)

is an economic trend that leads to higher income taxes.

c)

is a system of government that grants absolute power to the executive branch.

d)

is a system of government first described in the English Bill of Rights.

9.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the federal government has the power to

a)

raise and set taxes.

b)

coin and print money.

c)

regulate trade.

d)

all of the above

10.

If a California law disagrees with a federal law, the

a)

California law must give way to federal law.

b)

California law will have to be approved by three fourths of the citizens in the state.

c)

California law must be approved by the governor of California.

d)

California constitution must be amended to approve the law.

11.

Which of the following is NOT part of the Preamble?

a)

insure domestic tranquility

b)

establish justice

c)

provide for the public's education

d)

secure the blessings of liberty

12.

The system of checks and balances was created to

a)

ensure that no branch of the federal government becomes too powerful.

b)

ensure that the state governments do not become too powerful.

c)

manage the national treasury.

d)

give more power to the individual citizen.

13.

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution because

a)

many Framers would not approve the Constitution without it.

b)

the Great Compromise required it.

c)

the Supreme Court decided it was necessary.

d)

President George Washington requested it.

14.

The reserved powers of the states were established by the

a)

Third Amendment.

b)

Sixth Amendment.

c)

Tenth Amendment.

d)

Fourteenth Amendment.

15.

The Speaker of the House

a)

is one of the most powerful officers in Congress.

b)

is appointed by the president.

c)

must belong to the same political party as the president.

d)

cannot be elected to more than two consecutive terms.

16.

To ensure that the majority of all Senators are experienced,

a)

junior senators are elected for eight-year terms.

b)

only one third of the senators are up for reelection every two years.

c)

senior senators chair all committees.

d)

all senators are guaranteed two terms in office.

17.

The writers of the Constitution established a bicameral legislature in order to

a)

make a compromise between equal representation in one house for all of the states and representation based on the population size in the other house.

b)

streamline the process whereby a bill becomes a law.

c)

prevent Congress from imitating the British Parliament.

d)

make it more difficult for Congress to declare war in the future.

18.

Congress is in session, and the president is given a bill to sign. He lets the bill sit on his desk for 10 days. It can be concluded that

a)

the bill has become law.

b)

the bill has been vetoed.

c)

the bill will have to go back to committee.

d)

both houses of Congress will have to vote on the bill again.

19.

After a bill is introduced, it is usually

a)

sent to the president for approval.

b)

discussed before a Committee of the Whole.

c)

sent to a standing committee to research and mark up.

d)

sent to a joint conference committee.

20.

The Senate, unlike the House of Representatives, does not have the power to

a)

pass laws regulating trade.

b)

introduce spending bills.

c)

try impeached officials.

d)

approve treaties.

21.

Which of the following does not apply to the Senate?

a)

six-year terms

b)

435 members

c)

at least 30 years old

d)

resident of the state where elected

22.

The impeachment process requires the involvement of both houses of Congress in which

a)

the Senate passes articles of impeachment and the House holds the trial

b)

the House passes articles of impeachment and the Senate holds the trial

c)

it is a joint session of both houses where it is done simultaneously

d)

the Supreme Court brings up the articles of impeachment and the House holds trial

23.

To be elected president of the United States, a person must

a)

have been a U.S. resident for 20 years.

b)

be at least 45 years old.

c)

be college educated.

d)

have been a continuous U.S. resident for 14 years.

24.

In the official role of chief executive, the president is responsible for

a)

carrying out the nation's laws.

b)

diplomatic relations with other nations.

c)

carrying out certain ceremonial functions.

d)

the nation's armed forces.

25.

When awarding medals to winners at this year's Special Olympics, the president was carrying out the role of chief

a)

diplomat.

b)

executive.

c)

citizen.

d)

of staff.

26.

As commander in chief of the armed forces, the president

a)

leads forces into battle.

b)

can suspend the War Powers Act.

c)

can send U.S. troops abroad.

d)

can declare war on another nation.

27.

Under the Constitution

a)

only Congress can declare war.

b)

only the president can declare war.

c)

the president and Congress must declare war together.

d)

the president's cabinet must approve all war declarations.

28.

Which of the following is NOT a power of the president?

a)

proposing laws and programs to Congress

b)

raising taxes

c)

preparing the federal government's budget

d)

appointing cabinet members, ambassadors, and federal judges

29.

The principle of judicial review was established by

a)

John Marshall.

b)

James Madison.

c)

Franklin D. Roosevelt.

d)

William Marbury.

30.

The Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka suggested that

a)

a. the Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson was correct.

b)

b. segregation laws were unconstitutional.

c)

c. the Supreme Court would have limited influence on the civil rights movement.

d)

d. the Supreme Court had powers that were not granted by the Constitution.

31.

Before a law can be declared unconstitutional,

a)

a. the president must agree to the declaration.

b)

b. there must be a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.

c)

c. someone must challenge the law and bring a case to court.

32.

If a dissenting opinion is issued by a justice in the Supreme Court,

a)

a. the case is sent back to the appellate courts.

b)

b. the trial is extended until a unanimous decision is reached.

c)

c. the trial results in a hung jury.

d)

d. there is no effect on the law.

33.

Only the federal government can

a)

a. make laws concerning health care.

b)

b. collect taxes.

c)

c. coin money.

d)

d. build highways and bridges.

34.

A governor's duties include all of the following EXCEPT

a)

a. interpreting state laws.

b)

b. appointing state officials.

c)

c. drawing up state budgets.

d)

d. carrying out state laws.

35.

Local governments have authority over

a)

a. schools and libraries.

b)

b. public utilities.

c)

c. sewage systems.

d)

d. all of the above.

36.

A referendum

a)

a. refers potential laws directly to the people, who then vote on them.

b)

b. refers initiatives directly to the governor for signature or veto.

c)

c. is a hearing for a new bill in the House of Representatives.

d)

d. is a bill passed by one house, then referred to the other for approval.

37.

The main job of local government is to

a)

a. provide tax revenue to the federal government.

b)

b. provide services for citizens.

c)

c. arrest criminals.

d)

d. propose laws to the state legislature.

38.

George Washington believed that

a)

a. there should be no more than three political parties.

b)

b. state governments would not have enough power under a multiparty system.

c)

c. political parties could weaken and divide the United States.

d)

d. the two-party system did not give voters enough choice.

39.

One purpose of political parties is to

a)

a. cast electoral votes.

b)

b. set the age for voting.

c)

c. administer literacy tests.

d)

d. nominate candidates for public office.

40.

A presidential candidate of the Democratic Party wins 51 percent of the popular vote. Which of the following statements is correct?

a)

The candidate must next be confirmed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

b)

The candidate will become president.

c)

The candidate will only become president with a majority of electoral college votes.

d)

A runoff election must be held to determine the new president.

41.

It is difficult for a person to run for national office

a)

without the support of both parties.

b)

without the support of a political party.

c)

without having made substantial donations to a political party.

d)

if he or she has had any disagreements with a political party.

42.

A person not registered in a political party

a)

may not be able to vote in primary elections.

b)

may not be able to vote in local elections.

c)

may not be eligible to run for public office.

d)

may not contribute funds to either party.

43.

Each state has a total number of electors

a)

equal to its total number of congress members.

b)

equal to each of the other states.

c)

equal to the number of its state legislators.

d)

based on its voter turnout in previous elections.

44.

All of the following are examples of interest groups EXCEPT

a)

The American Farm Bureau Federation.

b)

retired citizens' groups.

c)

teachers' associations.

d)

political parties.

45.

Lobbyists influence government officials by doing all of the following EXCEPT

a)

testifying at committee hearings.

b)

helping to write bills.

c)

giving gifts to representatives and senators.

d)

asking members of Congress to sponsor bills.

46.

A political candidate who describes herself as an "ordinary, hard-working citizen" is using

a)

name-calling.

b)

card stacking.

c)

the bandwagon approach.

d)

a plain-folks appeal.

47.

Sports figures appearing on a box of cereal is an example of which propaganda technique?

a)

testimonial

b)

bandwagon

c)

plain-folks appeal

d)

glittering generalities

48.

The "glittering generalities" technique uses

a)

beautiful pictures to sell an idea.

b)

words that sound good but have little or no supportive evidence.

c)

the faces of famous people to sway public opinion.

d)

soothing music and subliminal messages to persuade people.

49.

To be elected, a presidential candidate must

a)

win both the popular vote and the electoral vote.

b)

win the popular vote.

c)

win the majority of electoral votes.

d)

win the popular vote in the state of Florida.

50.

A majority opinion is one that is signed by at least how many members of the Supreme Court?

a)

three

b)

four

c)

five

d)

six

51.

What kind of cases make up the major part of the Supreme Court’s load?

a)

jury trials

b)

disputes between states

c)

trials without juries

d)

appeals

52.

The Framers thought that making federal judgeships permanent would help ensure

a)

that judges would become wealthy.

b)

strong party involvement in the selection of judges.

c)

judicial independence.

d)

diversity among federal judges.

53.

In a presidential race, which of the following best describes how the states apportion their electoral votes among the candidates?

a)

The Constitution requires each state to give all of its votes to the top vote-getter.

b)

In most states electoral votes are divided according to the percentage of votes received.

c)

About half the states divide the votes and half use a “winner-take-all” system.

d)

Most states use a “winner-take-all” system but some states allow the votes to be split.

54.

The written arguments of each side to an appeal are called

a)

complaints.

b)

responses.

c)

briefs.

d)

petitions.

55.

When the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear a case, it issues a

a)

bill of attainder

b)

writ of certiorari

c)

writ of habeas corpus

d)

bill of mandamus

56.

Supreme Court justices can only be removed from office by

a)

impeachment.

b)

the president.

c)

the voters.

d)

a panel of district court justices.

57.

According to the Constitution, Supreme Court justices

a)

must be lawyers.

b)

must have previously served on a lower court.

c)

must be members of Congress.

d)

have no set requirements.

58.
1st Amendment
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, press petition and assembly
b)
No illegal searches and seizures
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
No quartering troops
59.
2nd Amendment 
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, press petition and assembly
b)
No illegal searches and seizures
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
No quartering troops
60.
3rd Amendment 
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, press petition and assembly
b)
No illegal searches and seizures
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
No quartering troops
61.
4th Amendment 
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, press petition and assembly
b)
No illegal searches and seizures
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
No quartering troops
62.

5th Amendment

a)

No self-incrimination

No double jeopardy

Due process

b)

The right to a jury trial in civil cases involving more than $20

c)

No cruel and unusual punishment

No excessive bail

d)

The right to a fair, speedy and public trial in criminal cases.

The right to a lawyer.

63.

6th Amendment

a)

No self-incrimination

No double jeopardy

Due process

b)

The right to a jury trial in civil cases involving more than $20

c)

No cruel and unusual punishment

No excessive bail

d)

The right to a fair, speedy and public trial in criminal cases.

The right to a lawyer.

64.

7th Amendment

a)

No self-incrimination

No double jeopardy

Due process

b)

The right to a jury trial in civil cases involving more than $20

c)

No cruel and unusual punishment

No excessive bail

d)

The right to a fair, speedy and public trial in criminal cases.

The right to a lawyer.

65.

8th Amendment

a)

No self-incrimination

No double jeopardy

Due process

b)

The right to a jury trial in civil cases involving more than $20

c)

No cruel and unusual punishment

No excessive bail

d)

The right to a fair, speedy and public trial in criminal cases.

The right to a lawyer.

66.
9th Amendment 
a)
Electoral College established
b)
Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved by the states.
c)
The naming of certain rights in the Constitution does not take away from the rights that are not named
d)
States sued in state courts
67.
10th Amendment 
a)
Electoral College established
b)
Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved by the states.
c)
The naming of certain rights in the Constitution does not take away from the rights that are not named
d)
States sued in state courts
68.

This amendment legally guarantees American women the right to vote.

a)

5th

b)

26th

c)

9th

d)

19th

69.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

a)

13th Amendment

b)

10th Amendment

c)

14th Amendment

d)

15th Amendment

70.

This Amendment granted African-American men the right to vote.

a)

2nd Amendment

b)

15th Amendment

c)

6th Amendment

d)

19th Amendment

71.

People may not make, sell, or transport intoxicating liquors within the United States.

a)

18

b)

19

c)

20

d)

21

72.

A person cannot be denied their right to vote because they have not paid a poll tax.

a)

20

b)

24

c)

28

d)

27

73.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and of the state in which they live.

a)

11 amendment

b)

12 amendment

c)

13 amendment

d)

14 amendment

74.

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution are known as the ___________.

a)

Bill of Attainder

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Federalist Papers

75.

Which is the last step in amending the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The voters approve the amendment in a national election.

b)

The president signs the amendment in a public ceremony.

c)

Three-fourths of the state legislatures ratify the amendment.

d)

Two-thirds of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment.

76.

Describes the process for amending the Constitution

a)

Article I

b)

Article V

c)

Article IV

d)

Article II

77.

The 18th Amendment, Prohibition, was repealed by the ____ Amendment. This is the only amendment in US history to get rid of an earlier amendment.

a)

11th

b)

21st

c)

27th

d)

15th

78.

Which Amendment limited the number of terms an individual can be President?

a)

Amendment 22

b)

Amendment 21

c)

Amendment 27

d)

Amendment 10

79.
Government’s right to tax income (income taxes)
a)
16th
b)
17th
c)
18th
d)
19th
80.
The Supremacy Clause states that 
a)
state laws are superior to federal laws
b)
federal laws are superior to state laws
c)
expressed powers are superior to implied powers
d)
Alabama is superior to Auburn
81.

Requires judicial decrees and contracts (court rulings) made in one state will be honored and enforced in any other state

a)

Free Exercise Clause

b)

Due Process Clause

c)

Equal Protection Clause

d)

Full Faith and Credit Clause

82.
How many justices make up the Supreme Court?
a)
10
b)
8
c)
5
d)
9
83.
This Supreme Court ruling overturned "separate but equal".
a)
Plessy v Ferguson
b)
Brown v Board of Education
c)
Texas v. Johnson
d)
Marbury v. Madison
84.
How are Supreme Court justices selected?
a)
Appointed by the Senate, approved by the President
b)
by an election
c)
Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate
d)
Congress selects them
85.
The Supreme Court is an appellate court.  An appellate court ____________ cases. 
a)
makes the first decision
b)
reviews the decision made by a  lower court
86.
Usually, the Supreme Court has what type of jurisdiction?  (They hear a lot of appeals)
a)
Original
b)
Appellate
c)
Constitutional
87.
The authority to hear a case is call
a)
Prior Restraint
b)
Authorization
c)
Affirmation
d)
Jurisdiction
88.
The main job of the judicial branch is to?
a)
a.  interpret the law
b)
a.  make pop corn
c)
a.  enforce the law
d)
a.  provide a jury
89.
How many members are in the House of Representatives?
a)
100
b)
250
c)
435
d)
535
90.
Which term means "having two houses"?
a)
Bicameral
b)
Bipartiasan
c)
Two-party
d)
Two-housal
91.
Which article of the Constitution creates Congress?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Preamble
92.
Who casts votes if there is a tie in the Senate?
a)
Speaker of the House
b)
Vice President
c)
President of the United States
d)
Majority Leader
93.
How long are the elected terms of members of the Senate?
a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
94.
Which Constitutional "plan" created the House of Representatives?
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
Connecticut Plan 
d)
Georgia Plan
95.
Declaring war is an example of a(n)...
a)
Concurrent power
b)
Expressed (delegated) power
c)
Inherent power
d)
Implied power
96.
A power given by the "necessary and proper" clause?
a)
Implied powers
b)
Inherent powers
c)
Concurrent powers
d)
Concurrent powers
97.
Which term refers to the process of deciding how many members of the House each state gets?
a)
Redistricting
b)
Reapportionment
c)
Gerrymandering
d)
Census
98.

What is the process of counting the residents of the United States, conducted every TEN years?

a)

Survey

b)

Census

c)

Roll call

d)

Reapportionment

99.

What is the ILLEGAL process of changing district boundaries to discriminate against a group of people?

a)

Redistricting

b)

Reapportionment

c)

Gerrymandering

d)

Redrawing

100.
One way the legislative branch checks the executive branch is to -
a)
Call Congress into a special session
b)
impeach the President
c)
write laws
d)
declare laws unconstitutional