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DSHS Midterm Exam 2024

Total questions: 70

Worksheet time: 54mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In a (a)   Democracy the citizens vote directly on laws supporting Rousseau's belief of popular sovereignty.

2.

In a (a)   Democracy the citizens vote indirectly on laws supporting Locke's belief of Consent of the Governed.

3.

What are the three terms that can be used interchangeably to describe a type of government in which citizens choose delegates (representatives) to make decisions for them in government?

a)

Indirect Democracy, Representative Democracy and Republic

b)

Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy and Republic

c)

Constitutional Monarchy, Representative Democracy and Republic

d)

Indirect Democracy, Representative Democracy and Oligarchy

4.

The Great Compromise created a _________________ legislature.

a)

Unicameral

b)

Bicameral

c)

Tricameral (three branches of gov.)

d)

One House

5.

In a direct democracy, all eligible citizens could vote on laws and (a)   ruled.

6.

Using the graphic, which system of government concentrates all power within the central government.

a)

Unitary

b)

Confederal

c)

Federal

7.

Using the graphic, which system of government concentrates the majority of power within the state governments and creates a weak central/federal government.

a)

Unitary

b)

Confederal

c)

Federal

8.

Using the graphic, which system of government divides power between the state governments and central/federal government.

(Federal gov. prevails when there are any disputes)

a)

Unitary

b)

Confederal

c)

Federal

9.

What was a main argument of Common Sense?

a)

The colonists were petty in their complaints about the king.

b)

The colonies should declare immediate independence from the king.

c)

Taxes are a natural part of life.

d)

A council should be created to work with the king.

10.

Which of the following Enlightenment Philosophers believed in the idea of Consent of the Governed and unalienable rights (life, liberty and property)?

a)

John Locke

b)

Baron De Montesquieu

c)

Thomas Hobbes

d)

Jean Jacques Rousseau

11.

" Because men agree to enter into society to preserve their natural rights to life, liberty, and property, whenever the government attempts to take away or destroy the life, liberty, or property of the people, the government put itself in a state of war with the people and the people are released from any further obedience to the government "

- Two Treatise of Government

Which Enlightenment Philosopher is being quoted?

a)

John Locke

b)

Baron De Montesquieu

c)

Thomas Hobbes

d)

Jean Jacques Rousseau

12.

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

-The Declaration of Independence, 1776

What does it mean to "dissolve political bands"?

a)

Get rid of the relationship politically between the Colonies and Great Britain

b)

Getting rid of British rule while still enjoying the benefits of being a colony

c)

Establishing a Constitutional Monarchy in America rather than an Absolute Monarchy

d)

Establishing an Absolute Monarchy in America rather than an Constitutional Monarchy

13.

The Great Compromise was a compromise between--

a)
Mass. Plan and New Jersey Plan
b)
Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
c)
Virginia Plan and New York Plan
d)
Virginia Plan and Delaware Plan
14.

The Virginia Plan wanted representation based on--

a)
population
b)
equality for every state
c)
state size
d)
money
15.

The New Jersey Plan wanted representation in government based on--

a)
population
b)
equality for every state
c)
state size
d)
money
16.

Congress is made up of two houses, which one is based on population?

a)
House of Burgesses
b)
Senate
c)
House of Representatives
d)
Continental Congress
17.

Congress is made up of two houses, which one has equal representation of 2 representatives per state?

a)
House of Burgesses
b)
Senate
c)
House of Representatives
d)
Continental Congress
18.

Who was happy with the Virginia plan?

a)

Small States with a small population

b)

Large States with a big population

c)
States with slaves
d)
States without slaves
19.

What kind of states supported the New Jersey Plan?

a)
small in population
b)
small in size
c)
slave states
d)
non slave states
20.

For the Great Compromise, how is the number of Senators determined?

a)
based on population of each state
b)
equal number - 1 from each state
c)
equal number - 2 from each state
d)
slaves count as 3/5
21.

What do the separation of powers guarantee?

a)

That government is not all powerful by distributing power

b)

That government is strong enough to overpower the states

c)

State sovereignty

22.

How does the Supremacy Clause resolve conflicts between federal and state laws?

a)

By allowing state laws to override federal laws

b)

By stating that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws

c)

By requiring conflicts to be resolved by the Supreme Court

d)

By leaving it to individual states to decide

23.

Which system of government does the United States operate under?

(a)  

24.

Which philosopher suggested the idea that if a government fails to fulfill its purpose (to protect people's rights) in a social contract, the people have the right to overthrow it

a)

Jean Jacques Rousseau 

b)

John Locke 

c)

Thomas Hobbes 

d)

Baron de Montesquieu 

25.

“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.”  

 

This quotation from the Declaration of Independence reflects beliefs mainly derived from  

a)

Jean Jacques Rousseau’s idea of direct democracy  

b)

John Locke’s ideas 

c)

Montesquieu’s views 

d)

Thomas Hobbes’ theory of the state of nature  

26.

Which of the following correctly lists the systems of governments from MOST power held by the central government to the LEAST power held by the central government

a)

Federal, unitary, confederate 

b)

Unitary, federal, confederate 

c)

Confederate, unitary, federal 

d)

All of their central government have the same amount of power 

27.

What term describes the legal system that requires all citizens be treated fairly?

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Due Process of Law

d)

Popular Sovereignty

28.

Who is the Father of the United States Constitution?

a)

George Washington

b)

James Madison

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

Alexander Hamilton

29.

The Magna Carta accomplished which of the following?

a)

Limited powers of the king

b)

Self Government

c)

Declaring Independence

d)

All of these are true

30.

1.  We hold these truths to be self-evident:   

2   that all men are created equal,    

3   that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,    

4.  that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.    

5.  that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,    

6. that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.    

   Which two lines reveal the social contract theory?   

a)

Lines 1 and 2   

b)

Lines 5 and 6   

c)

Lines 4 and 5   

d)

Lines 3 and 4   

31.

Which of the following accurately defines rule of law ?

a)
"We are a nation of laws, not of men."
b)
"No one is above the law, no one is below the law.
c)
Everyone is held accountable to the law.
d)
all of the above
32.

Why did the founding fathers structure the government in this manner? Refer to the diagram below.

a)

to divide power among three levels of government

b)

to allow for changes to the Constitution as time passes and the country grows

c)

to establish a bicameral government

d)

to prevent any one branch from becoming more powerful than the others

33.

Which branch of government has the power to confirm judges or justices and to impeach them?

a)

Presidential

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

d)

Judicial

34.

How does the judicial branch check on the power of Congress and the President?

a)

vetoing legislation (law) that is passed by Congress and signed by the President

b)

declaring acts of Congress (legislation) or presidential actions (executive orders) to be unconstitutional

c)

issuing warrants

d)

issuing court restraints

35.

Congress has the power to make laws for the nation. Who has the power to approve (sign) or veto new legislation?

a)

state governors

b)

United States citizens

c)

the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

d)

the President of the United States

36.

Which of the following examples illustrates the system of checks and balances?

a)

The President calls for a special meeting of the Cabinet.

b)

The President signs a tax bill, even though the Congress recommends that he not sign it.

c)

The President entertains the Queen of England.

d)

The President vetoes a bill, but Congress overrides his veto.

37.

Supreme Court justices (judges) are appointed by . . .

a)

the United Nations.

b)

Congress.

c)

a special committee.

d)

the President.

38.

The President of the United States nominates a new ambassador to Canada. His nomination must be approved by . . .

a)

the Vice President.

b)

the Supreme Court.

c)

Congress.

d)

the Department of Homeland Security.

39.

Which of the following choices from the list below correctly completes this statement: The President checks Congress by

a)

proposing legislation (laws)

b)

preparing an annual budget for the Supreme Court to approve

c)

signing or vetoing legislation (laws) that Congress has passed

d)

refusing to confirm judges and justices

40.

what branch can declares war?

a)

executive

b)

legislative

c)

judicial

41.

What document made it clear that the colonies wanted to separate from Great Britain?

(a)  

42.

What document protects individual rights from a stronger central government?

a)

The Bill of Rights

b)

The Constitution

c)

The Articles of Confederation

d)

Magna Carta

43.

What do you call a change to the Constitution?

a)

amendment

b)

introduction

c)

preamble

d)

articles

44.

Why did the Founding Fathers include an amendment process in the Constitution?

a)

To make the Constitution more complicated

b)

To give power to a small minority

c)

To allow future generations to update the Constitution

d)

To prevent any changes to the Constitution

45.

What does the term 'living document' mean in relation to the Constitution?

a)

The Constitution is a historical artifact

b)

The Constitution is outdated

c)

The Constitution can be changed

d)

The Constitution can walk and breathe

46.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

a)
100
b)
250
c)
435
d)
535
47.

Which article of the Constitution creates Congress?

a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Preamble
48.

Which article of the Constitution creates Executive Branch?

a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Preamble
49.

Which article of the Constitution creates Judicial Branch?

a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Preamble
50.

Who casts votes if there is a tie in the Senate?

(Leader of the Senate)

a)
Speaker of the House
b)
Vice President
c)

President pro tempore

d)
Majority Leader
51.

Which Constitutional "plan" created the House of Representatives and Senate?

a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
Connecticut Plan 
d)
Georgia Plan
52.

How long are the elected terms of members of the Senate?

a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
53.

How long are the elected terms of members of the House of Representatives?

a)
2 years
b)
4 years
c)
6 years
d)
8 years
54.

How many members are in the Senate?

a)
100
b)
250
c)
435
d)
535
55.

Representatives represent their (a)   .

56.

Senators represent their (a)   .

57.

The Legislative Branch (a)   laws.

58.

The Executive Branch (a)   laws.

59.

The Judicial Branch (a)   laws.

60.

The 25th amendment established Presidential succession.

What is the correct order of Presidential succession below?

a)

Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore and Cabinet members

b)

Vice President, President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House and Cabinet members

c)

Vice President, President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House and Secretary of State

d)

Vice President, President Pro Tempore, Speaker of the House and Secretary of Treasury

61.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause also known as?

a)

The Elastic Clause

b)

The Supremacy Clause

c)

The Commerce Clause

d)

The Establishment Clause

62.

What is a key difference between the Necessary and Proper Clause and the Supremacy Clause?

a)

The Necessary and Proper Clause deals with state powers, while the Supremacy Clause deals with federal powers.

b)

The Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to make laws, while the Supremacy Clause establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

c)

The Necessary and Proper Clause is part of the Bill of Rights, while the Supremacy Clause is not.

d)

The Necessary and Proper Clause is used to interpret treaties, while the Supremacy Clause is not.

63.

Which landmark Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?

a)

Roe v. Wade

b)

Marbury v. Madison

c)

Dred Scott v. Sandford

d)

Brown v. Board of Education

64.

"Judicial Review " means that the United States Supreme Court can _____.

a)

Impeach a member of Congress

b)

Override a President's veto

c)

Declare a law unconstitutional

d)

Change a law passed by Congress

65.

Constitutional protection against unfair governmental actions and laws is--

a)

voting rights

b)

due process

c)

freedom of religion

d)

Bill of Rights

66.

Which amendment led to this decision giving citizens the right to remain silent?

a)

1st

b)

5th

c)

10th

d)

14th

67.

Which statement accurately summarizes the impact of the Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) decision?

a)

It incorporated the 4th Amendment to state and local governments

b)

It required that police officers inform suspects under arrest of the 5th and 6th Amendment rights

c)

It incorporated the right to legal counsel, as protected under the 6th Amendment, to state and local governments

d)

It increased states' power to restrict freedom of speech when it is shown to increase danger to public safety

68.

What are the three qualifications to become President?

a)
  1. 1. 30 Years Old

  2. 2. Natural Born Citizen

  3. 3. Live in the U.S. for 14 years

b)
  1. 1. 35 Years Old

  2. 2. Natural Born Citizen

  3. 3. Live in the U.S. for 14 years

c)
  1. 1. 30 Years Old

  2. 2. Naturalized Citizen

  3. 3. Live in the U.S. for 14 years

d)
  1. 1. 30 Years Old

  2. 2. Natural Born Citizen

  3. 3. Live in the U.S. for 10 years

69.

The amendment which formally established the 2 term limit for POTUS in ____________.

a)

The 20th

b)

The 22nd

c)

The 26th

d)

The 25th

70.

Which of the following statements best compares and contrasts the Louisiana State Constitution with the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The LA State Constitution includes more specific provisions regarding state taxation than the U.S. Constitution

b)

Both Constitutions grant the power to declare war exclusively to the executive branch

c)

Unlike the U.S. Constitution, the LA State Constitution does not provide for a bicameral legislature

d)

The U.S. Constitution emphasizes state sovereignty more explicitly than the LA State Constitution