wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Mr. Grant's Civics: 1st Semester Study Guide

Total questions: 80

Worksheet time: 2hrs 43mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What does Article II of the Constitution describe?

a)

The role and power of the Executive Branch

b)

The process of amending the Constitution

c)

The rights of the states

d)

The legislative process

2.

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military forces of the United States?

a)

The Secretary of Defense

b)

The President

c)

The Vice President

d)

The Speaker of the House

3.

Who is the head of the Executive Branch?

a)

The Vice President

b)

The Speaker of the House

c)

The President

d)

The Chief Justice

4.

What is the State of the Union Address?

a)

A press conference by the Vice President

b)

A speech given annually by the president

c)

A meeting of the Supreme Court

d)

A session of Congress

5.

What are the Presidential Qualifications?

a)

Must be a natural born US citizen, 35 years old, and a resident for 14 years

b)

Must be a member of Congress

c)

Must have served in the military

d)

Must have a law degree

6.

What did the 12th Amendment change about presidential elections?

a)

It allowed women to vote

b)

It abolished the Electoral College

c)

It required presidential and vice-presidential nominees to run on the same party ticket

d)

It limited the president to two terms

7.

What does it mean to nominate someone?

a)

To elect them

b)

To name them for a position

c)

To impeach them

d)

To pardon them

8.

What is impeachment?

a)

A process to elect a new president

b)

A formal document charging a public official with misconduct

c)

A declaration of war

d)

A method to pass new laws

9.

What is required for a Senate Trial to remove a federal employee?

a)

A simple majority vote

b)

A unanimous decision

c)

2/3 of the Senate must agree

d)

Approval from the House of Representatives

10.

What is the purpose of the National Convention?

a)

To elect members of Congress

b)

To choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform

c)

To amend the Constitution

d)

To conduct impeachment trials

11.

How does the Fourteenth Amendment define citizenship?

a)

All persons born or naturalized in the U.S., are citizens of the U.S.

b)

All persons born in the U.S., are citizens of the U.S.

c)

All persons naturalized in the U.S., are citizens of the U.S.

d)

All persons who apply for citizenship, are citizens of the U.S.

12.

Alejándro was born to Cuban parents in Miami, Florida – his parents are legal permanent residents. Is Alejándro a U.S. Citizen? Why?

a)

Yes, Law of Soil

b)

Yes, Law of Blood

c)

Only if his parents go through naturalization

d)

No, he would need to be naturalized

13.

What is the term for the process by which legal resident aliens can become citizens?

a)

Immigration

b)

Dual Citizenship

c)

Naturalization

d)

Visa Application

14.

What is the "law of blood?"

a)

You're a citizen because you were born in the US.

b)

You're a citizen because you were born to US citizen parents.

c)

You're a citizen because you became naturalized.

d)

You are not a citizen.

15.

What is the final step in the naturalization process?

a)

Interview

b)

Oath of Allegiance

c)

Live legally in the US for 5+ years

d)

Apply and pay the fee

16.

telling the government what you think by writing or signing a document is called...

a)

the common good

b)

petitioning the government

c)

selective service system (SSS)

d)

political participation

17.

What is a requirement, something a person or government has to do?

a)

obligation

b)

responsibility

18.

Paying taxes is an example of a(n)

a)

obligation

b)

responsibility

19.

Obeying laws is an example of a(n)

a)

obligation

b)

responsibility

20.

Jury duty is an example of a(n)

a)

obligation

b)

responsibility

21.

Voting is an example of a(n)

a)

obligation

b)

responsibility

22.

How do the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship help the country?

a)

they contribute to the common good

b)

they keep you out of jail

c)

they give you something to do

d)

you share them with your neighbors

23.
This document was part of a summons to perform an important civic duty. 
Why is it important for citizens to meet the obligation requested in this document? 
a)
to guarantee our right to confront witnesses.
b)
to preserve constitutional limits on governmental power.
c)
to guarantee our right to be judged by a jury of our peers.
d)
to protect our right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus. 
24.

Clean water, police protection, and paved streets are all privileges enjoyed by American citizens. What civic OBLIGATION must be met in order for these services to continue?

a)

citizens must pay taxes

b)

citizens must vote

c)

citizens must attend school

d)

citizens must volunteer

25.

How many branches is the government divided into based on Separation of Powers?

a)

2

b)

3

c)

6

d)

4

26.

Which type of democracy is when citizens get to elect representatives to serve their interests in government?

a)

Direct Democracy

b)

Representaitve Democracy

27.

Which type of government best matches the description?

a)

Representative Democracy

b)

Direct Democracy

c)

Anarchy

d)

Constitutional Monarchy

28.

Each person is involved directly in policy and law making.

a)

Representative Democracy

b)

Direct Democracy

c)

Anarchy

d)

Constitutional Monarchy

29.

Which document affirmed that all people are created equal?

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

VA Declaration of Rights

c)

VA Statute for Religious Freedom

d)

Declaration of Independence

30.

Which document created a weak central government?

a)

Magna Carta

b)

VA Declaration of Rights

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

Declaration of Independence

31.

Which document was the first to state that everyone, including the king, had to follow the laws?

a)

Charters of the VA Company of London

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

VA Declaration of Rights

d)

Magna Carta

32.
1689 - established to protect the rights of individuals & those accused of crimes.
a)
Navigation Acts
b)
Magna Carta
c)
Mayflower Compact
d)
English Bill of Rights
33.
What did the Stamp Act tax?
a)
paper and documents
b)
houses
c)
farm animals
d)
imports
34.
Define boycott.
a)
An organized campaign to refuse to buy certain products
b)
import tax
c)
Citizen soldiers who could be ready to fight at a minute's notice
d)
to surrender
35.
The 13 colonies were fighting for freedom from England. What is another word for freedom? 
a)
taxes
b)
tariff
c)
liberty
d)
patriot
36.
What was stated in the Proclamation of 1763?
a)
Colonists were banned from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
b)
Colonists were encouraged to begin settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
c)
The Proclamation ended the French and Indian War. 
d)
The Proclamation proclaimed independence for the American colonists. 
37.
In order to pay off debt from the French and Indian War, the British Parliment took what action?
a)
Closed the Boston Harbor
b)
Passed new Colonial Acts like the Stamp Act
c)
Allowed the colonists to govern themselves
d)
Had a tea party
38.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

George Washington

c)

Donald Trump

d)

Will Smith

39.

Something the government allows people to do

a)

citizen

b)

colonist

c)

document

d)

right

40.

People have the right to _______ the government if it is not protecting their rights

a)

vote

b)

change

c)

agree

d)

teach

41.

What does "We the People..." mean?

a)

The people create the government and give the government its power

b)

The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

c)

The government has to help make the country better and stronger

d)

The government has to keep peace in the country

42.

What does "...insure domestic tranquility..." mean?

a)

The people create the government and give the government its power

b)

The government has to keep laws fair and protect rights

c)

The government has to help make the country better and stronger

d)

The government has to keep peace in the country

43.

Which line from the Preamble matches this image?

a)

We the people

b)

in order to form a more perfect union

c)

establish justice

d)

secure the blessings of liberty

44.

The Bill of Rights

a)

a. is what the supreme court uses

b)

b. Explains how checks and balances work

c)

c. is the first ten amendments of the Constitution

d)

d. is the first ten amendments of the Declaration of Independence

45.

There are this many representative in the House of Representatives

a)

a. 317- amount per state is based on population

b)

b. 870- amount per state is based on population

c)

c. 350- 7 Per state

d)

d. 435- the amount per state is based on population

46.

Right to bear arms; ability for states to have a militia.

a)

4th Amendment

b)

5th Amendment

c)

2nd Amendment

d)

7th Amendment

47.

Powers not given to the federal government are "reserved" for the states.

a)

10th Amendment

b)

9th Amendment

c)

8th Amendment

d)

2nd Amendment

48.

Right to a speedy & public trial; call witnesses; right to have a lawyer.

a)

10th Amendment

b)

3rd Amendment

c)

6th Amendment

d)

1st Amendment

49.

You have more rights than the Constitution lists.

a)

9th Amendment

b)

6th Amendment

c)

4th Amendment

d)

2nd Amendment

50.

Five basic freedoms: speech, religion, press, assembly, & petition.

a)

2nd Amendment

b)

1st Amendment

c)

5th Amendment

d)

6th Amendment

51.

Prevents cruel & unusual punishments; excessive fines and/or bail.

a)

2nd Amendment

b)

3rd Amendment

c)

7th Amendment

d)

8th Amendment

52.

Your right to remain silent (self-incrimination); no double jeopardy; eminent domain; due process

a)

5th Amendment

b)

2nd Amendment

c)

9th Amendment

d)

6th Amendment

53.

Which amendment abolished slavery in the United States?

a)

11th

b)

12th

c)

13th

d)

14th

54.
Which amendment gave African-Americans the right to vote in 1869?
a)
13th Amendment
b)
14th Amendment
c)
15th Amendment
55.

This branch interprets the meaning of laws that have been created.

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Federalism

56.

This branch enforces the laws that are in the federal government.

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Federalism

57.

 

This branch makes bills that can become laws.

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Legislative Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Federalism

58.

Which branch can override a veto?

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Federalism

59.

Which branch can declare laws unconstitutional?

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Federalism

60.

Which statement is true about checks and balances?

a)

It is the division of power between 3 different branches of government.

b)

It is the division of power between the federal and state governments.

c)

It is the process used by the federal government to tax and balance the budget of the government.

d)

It is the controls that each branch has over the other branches.

61.

According to Article I sections 2 & 3 which two entities are involved with the Impeachment Process?

a)

The President & The Supreme Court

b)

The President & The Congress

c)

The House of Reps & The Senate

d)

All of these

62.

Which is designated only to the national government?

a)

conducting elections

b)

coining & printing money

c)

establish courts

d)

taxing citizens

63.

Which describes concurrent powers?

a)

The national government sets standards state governments must follow.

b)

The national government shares powers with the state governments.

c)

The national government has supremacy over state governments.

d)

The national government follows the lead of state governments.

64.

Fill in the missing event:

British increase taxes on colonists ->

Colonists reject taxes on colonists ->

? ->

Declaration of Independence

a)

British eliminate all taxes

b)

Colonists vote new members of the Parliament

c)

British ignore colonists complaints

d)

Colonists send troops to Britain in protest

65.

What did many American colonists use Thomas Paine's Common Sense to justify?

a)

Acts of sabotage against British merchants

b)

Declaring independence from Britain

c)

Joining the army instead of the militia

d)

Supporting the British monarchy

66.

What does "insure domestic tranquility" in the Preamble to the US Constitution mean?

a)

Give land to the homeless

b)

Fight wars on foreign soil

c)

Keep the homeland at peace

d)

Provide citizens with insurance

67.

How does rule of law affect US government officials and institutions?

a)

It holds government officials and institutions accountable to the law,

b)

It requires governmental officials to create new laws.

c)

It prevents government officials and institutions from making their work public.

d)

It ensures governmental officials and institutions are exempt from laws.

68.

This passage below is from Federalist 51, written by James Madison in 1788:

"...the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places."

What constitutional principle does Madison describe in the passage?

a)

Popular sovereignty

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Checks and balances

d)

separation of powers

69.

These are representatives from one country to another.

a)

ambassadors

b)

cabinet

c)

senators

d)

legislators

70.

Put these Federal Courts in the correct order, from lowest to highest.

a)

District, Appeals, and FL Supreme Court

b)

Appeals Court, US Supreme Court, District

c)

County Court, Appeals Court, FL Supreme Court

d)

District, Appeals, and US Supreme Court

71.

The US Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over the following EXCEPT:

a)

two citizens from FL contesting the ownership of property

b)

maritime law

c)

disputes between the states

d)

cases involving ambassadors

72.

All of these are goals of US Foreign Policy, EXCEPT...

a)

National Security

b)

Promoting world peace

c)

Advancing democracy around the world

d)

Creating tariffs that weaken other countries' economies

73.

What is the "Necessary and Proper Clause" sometimes called...

a)

Foreign and Domestic Clause

b)

Supremacy Clause

c)

Elastic Clause

d)

Commerce Clause

74.

Which political party is represented by these views?

*Government should let citizens run their own lives with little interference.

*Government should lower the taxes for citizens as much as possible.

*Government should allow businesses to operate with little government interference.

*Believes in traditional social values

a)

Libertarian

b)

Democrat

c)

Socialist

d)

Republican

75.

“Taking away trial by jury”

“Imposing taxes without the consent of the people.”

”Made judges dependent on him alone"

These statements are contained in what US Founding Document?

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

US Constitution

d)

Bill of Rights

76.
  • When is it okay for the government to limit individual freedoms (like speech) for the good of the whole? 

4 lines
77.
  • What is the "rule of law," and why is it a fundamental principle that ensures no one, including government leaders, is above the law? 

4 lines
78.

Give five platform points for Democrats and five platform points for Republicans.

4 lines
79.
  • How does the system of checks and balances prevent any single branch of government (legislative, executive, or judicial) from becoming too powerful?

4 lines
80.

How did the English Bill of Rights influence the Founders when they wrote the various Founding Documents?

4 lines