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U.S. Government Structure and Terms

Total questions: 103

Worksheet time: 1hrs 1mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

A senator’s term in office is

a)

an unlimited period of time

b)

two years

c)

four years

d)

six years

2.

The number of representatives elected to the House of Representatives is based on

a)

the number of voters in a state

b)

the land area of a state

c)

the population of a state and apportionment

d)

all of the above

3.

Congress is allowed to promote [encourage] arts and sciences through

a)

naturalization

b)

taxes

c)

copyrights and patents

d)

duties

4.

How long is a President’s term of office?

a)

two years

b)

three years

c)

four years

d)

unlimited

5.

The Executive Branch includes

a)

the President, Vice President and Cabinet

b)

the President and the Supreme Court

c)

the President, Supreme Court and Congress

d)

the President and Senate

6.

The power to try [investigate and decide] an impeachment is given to

a)

the President

b)

the Senate

c)

the Supreme Court

d)

all of the above

7.

The main duty [job] of the President is to

a)

make the laws

b)

carry out / enforce the laws

c)

interpret / explain the laws

d)

change the laws

8.

Elected officials can be removed from office by

a)

the Supreme Court

b)

impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate

c)

a presidential veto

d)

the Cabinet

9.

The Bill of Rights was written to protect

a)

individual rights of people

b)

state’s rights

c)

senators

d)

the President

10.

The 1st Amendment includes all of the following EXCEPT

a)

Freedom of Religion

b)

Freedom of Speech

c)

Right to Assemble

d)

Freedom to Vote

11.

The branch that can declare a law unconstitutional [against the Constitution] is the

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

d)

all of the above

12.

Voting rights were extended [given] to new groups of people, such as African Americans and women, by

a)

the Supreme Court

b)

Congress

c)

the Amendments

d)

the Bill of Rights

13.

A bill can become law

a)

only if signed by the President

b)

if passed by the Senate

c)

if passed by the House of Representatives

d)

if passed by both houses and signed by the President

14.

War can be declared only by the

a)

President

b)

President and Congress

c)

President and Supreme Court

d)

Congress

15.

To qualify for President, a candidate has to be

a)

over 50 years old

b)

a college graduate

c)

a native [natural born] citizen of the United States

d)

a resident of Washington DC

16.

Which of the following is NOT a job of the Executive Branch?

a)

carrying out the law

b)

declaring war

c)

granting pardons

d)

signing bills

17.

Congress can deal with matters not mentioned or expressed in the Constitution, by giving themselves more power, through

a)

amendments

b)

the elastic clause

c)

checks and balances

d)

the Bill of Rights

18.

The branches of government guarantee

a)

a weak Congress

b)

a balance of power

c)

more power for the President

d)

civil rights

19.

Checks and balances make certain that

a)

all branches have equal power

b)

the President makes final decisions

c)

the courts have the most power

d)

Congress can override the President

20.

The powers of the central government [legislative, executive and judicial branches] are outlined [listed] in

a)

the Preamble

b)

the Articles

c)

the Bill of Rights

d)

the Amendments

21.

All of the following are forms of checks and balances EXCEPT

a)

veto

b)

impeachment

c)

judicial review

d)

ratification

22.

All of the powers not given to the federal government belong to the

a)

states or people

b)

courts

c)

President

d)

governors

23.

Federalism divides power between

a)

the central [national] and state governments

b)

the states

c)

the people

d)

the branches of government

24.

Which is a result of the Great Compromise?

a)

the end of the slave trade

b)

interstate [between the state] trade

c)

a bi-cameral [two-house] legislature

d)

checks and balances

25.

The main author of the Constitution was

a)

George Washington

b)

Ben Franklin

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

James Madison

26.

The number of branches that make up the federal government are

a)

two

b)

three

c)

four

d)

five

27.

Amendments allow the Constitution to

a)

remain uniform [stay the same]

b)

be more flexible [change with the times]

c)

enforce the law

d)

create a balance of power

28.

The main duty [job] of Congress is to

a)

enforce laws

b)

make laws

c)

declare laws unconstitutional

d)

veto bills

29.

Congress is composed [made up] of

a)

the Supreme Court and the President

b)

the Senate and the House of Representatives

c)

the Supreme Court and Senate

d)

the Senate and the President

30.

Which is not a power of Congress?

a)

making laws

b)

borrowing and coining [making] money

c)

declaring war

d)

appointing Supreme Court justices

31.

The legislative branch can check the executive branch by

a)

declaring a law unconstitutional

b)

passing bills over a veto

c)

vetoing bills

d)

making appointments

32.

A person in the House of Representatives serves for

a)

one year

b)

two years

c)

four years

d)

six years

33.

The President is elected directly by

a)

the people

b)

the electoral college

c)

the legislature

d)

the Supreme Court

34.

Judges are retained [keep their jobs] for life so that they

a)

will have job security

b)

can become more powerful

c)

can make consistent decisions

d)

are not influenced by the President or Congress

35.

Congress is composed [made up] of

a)

50 senators and the Cabinet

b)

9 Supreme Court Justices

c)

the President and the Vice President

d)

100 Senators and 435 Representatives

36.

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for becoming a member of the Senate

a)

minimum age of 30

b)

United States citizenship

c)

birth in the United States

d)

residency [living] in the state represented

37.

Judicial Review allows the Supreme Court to

a)

remove the President from office

b)

decide what laws are unconstitutional

c)

add amendments to the Constitution

d)

elect its own judges

38.

To review a case in a higher court means to

a)

jurisdiction

b)

judicial review

c)

appeal

d)

veto

39.

The powers of the judicial branch are stated in

a)

Article One

b)

Article Two

c)

Article Three

d)

Article Four

40.

The authority to hear [listen to] a case for the first time is known as

a)

jurisdiction

b)

judicial review

c)

appeal

d)

veto

41.

A proposed [idea for a] law is called a(n)

a)

veto

b)

override

c)

bill

d)

article

42.

Which of the following statements about the Constitution is NOT correct?

a)

The Constitution was written to correct the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

b)

The Constitution gives the federal government complete control over the states.

c)

The Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land.

d)

The Constitution has been changed over time to adjust to changing times.

43.

A Senator and a Representative must live in the ______________ that they represent.

a)

house

b)

school district

c)

state

44.

What is a proposed law called?

a)

late for supper

b)

a bill

c)

a cabinet

45.

To become President, a person must have been a resident in the United States for how many years?

a)

14

b)

1

c)

21

46.

The Preamble of the US Constitution:

a)

is a list of freedoms guaranteed in the 1st amendment

b)

the introductory paragraph of the US Constitution

c)

list of powers granted to the state governments

47.

Which phrase in the Preamble informs us that the new constitution will set up a democratic form of government?

a)

"We the people"

b)

"secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity"

c)

"establish justice"

48.

Which phrase of the Preamble states that the new government will be a better one that existed under the Articles of Confederation?

a)

"form a more perfect union"

b)

"provide for the common defense"

c)

"promote the general welfare"

49.
The key to the constitution is that it allows the federal and state governments to 
a)
have a civil war.
b)
share power.
c)
make new laws.
d)
create new jobs.
50.
How many articles are in the US Constitution?
a)
5
b)
6
c)
7
d)
9
51.
In which part of the US Constitution are the goals explained?
a)
Article I
b)
Preamble
c)
Article II
d)
Article III
52.
What does Article I (1) discuss in the Constitution? 
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
53.
What does Article II (2) discuss in the Constitution? 
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Amendments
54.

If neither the President nor Vice-President can serve, the position would be filled by:

a)

the Speaker of the House

b)

the Chief Justice

c)

the elected President of the Senate

d)

the Secretary of State

55.

The longest possible time a person could now serve as President is:

a)

4 years

b)

8 years

c)

10 years

d)

12 years

56.

Who are the Federalists?

a)

People who supported the Constitution

b)

People who were against the Constitution

c)

People who wanted to add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution

d)

People who supported the Articles of Confederation

57.

Federalists wanted....

a)

a weak central (national) government

b)

a strong central (national) government

c)

a Bill of Rights

d)

strong state government

58.

What series of essays were written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison to convince people to ratify the Constitution?

a)

Federalist Papers

b)

Common Sense

c)

Antifederalist Papers

d)

The American Crisis

59.

These group of people were called the ______ and they didn't support the ratification of the Constitution

a)

Federalists

b)

Whip Party

c)

Independent Party

d)

Antifederalists

60.

The Antifederalists wanted

a)

a strong central (national) government

b)

weak state government

c)

weak central (national) government

d)

to deny the Bill of Rights

61.

Did the Antifederalists support adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

a)

no

b)

yes

62.

What was the Antifederalist response to the Federalist Papers?

a)

Common Sense

b)

Antifederalist Papers

c)

The American Crisis

d)

Walden

63.

These people were all Antifederalists except for

a)

Thomas Jefferson

b)

Alexander Hamilton

c)

Patrick Henry

d)

George Mason

64.

These people are all Federalists except for

a)

Alexander Hamilton

b)

George Washington

c)

John Adams

d)

Thomas Jefferson

65.

Which amendment gives us the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and petition?

a)

1st

b)

2nd

c)

9th

d)

10th

66.

Which amendment protects us from illegal searches?

a)

1st

b)

3rd

c)

4th

d)

8th

67.

Which amendment protects us from cruel and unusual punishments?

a)

1st

b)

4th

c)

5th

d)

8th

68.

Which amendment grants rights to people accused of crimes?

a)

1st

b)

2nd

c)

5th

d)

10th

69.
This amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in homes in peacetime.
a)
1st
b)
3rd
c)
5th
d)
6th
70.
This amendment asserts that powers not delegated to the national government or denied to the states are reserved to the states.
a)
2nd
b)
8th
c)
9th 
d)
10th
71.
This amendment guarantees the right to bear arms.
a)
1st
b)
2nd
c)
7th
d)
8th 
72.
This amendment states that rights not listed in other amendments are still available to the people.
a)
3rd
b)
4th
c)
5th
d)
9th 
73.
This amendment guarantees the right to a speedy, impartial public trial in criminal cases with counsel and the right to cross examine.
a)
6th
b)
7th
c)
9th
d)
10th
74.
This amendment guarantees the right to jury trial in civil suits.
a)
5th
b)
7th
c)
8th
d)
9th
75.

What year did Shay's Rebellion happen

a)

1786 - 1787

b)

1790

c)

1700

d)

1750

76.

Where did Shay's Rebellion take place?

a)

Vermont

b)

Delaware

c)

Massachuestes

d)

New York

77.

Which of the following was NOT a lead up to Shay's Rebellion

a)

Declaration of Indepndence

b)

Creating the U.S Constitution

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

American Revolution

78.

Since the authors of the Articles of the Confederation did not like taxation without representation they created the Articles so that...

a)

the federal government could tax

b)

the federal government could not tax

c)

the federal government allowed people to pay what they want

d)

the federal government mandated that they would collect taxes from foreign countries

79.

True or false: States did not have to follow federal laws and treaties?

a)

True

b)

False

80.

Why did we create a government with no executive or court system?

a)

We did, we just called them something else

b)

Those were not two branches we had any experience with

c)

We ran out of time to create one

d)

We did not like that the king had so much power

81.

What was NOT one of the problems created by the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The country was united

b)

The country could not raise money to pay back debts

c)

Any changes required all 13 states which was difficult

d)

States did not have to follow federally created laws

82.

Complete this sentence: Jefferson believed Shays Rebellion was _______ for the country

a)

Good

b)

Bad

83.

Complete this sentence: Washington believed Shays Rebellion was _______ for the country

a)

Good

b)

Bad

84.

Select which sentences help support Washington's belief that Shays Rebellion was bad for the country

a)

... are to be equally mourned and condemned

b)

I am mortified beyond expression

c)

Is hardly possible

d)

Incapable of self government

85.

Select the sentences that support the claim that Jefferson thought the rebellion was good for the country

a)

What country before ever existed without rebellion

b)

Let the people take arms

c)

The British have for a long time hired newspapers

d)

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time ti time with the blood of patriots and tyrants

86.

According to John Locke...a social contract is an _________ that individuals go into to form their own _________.

a)

AGREEMENT, SOCIETY

b)

GAME, SOCIETY

c)

AGREEMENT, SCHOOL

d)

DEAL, CLUB

87.

According to John Locke..."Life, liberty and property" were rights guaranteed by:

a)

A Social Contract

b)

Natural Law

c)

the separation of powers

d)

natural selection

88.

Baron de Montesquieu introduced the idea of:

a)

Natural Rights

b)

Slavery

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Credit

89.

Which Document influenced the English political system by creating a limited government?

a)

"Common Sense"

b)

Mayflower Compact

c)

Magna Carta

d)

English Bill of Rights

90.

Which Document could be described as Propaganda- Used to influence people to take action

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Magna Carta

c)

Mayflower Compact

d)

Thomas Paine's "Common Sense"

91.

What does the blindfold in Lady Justice's face symbolize?

a)

natural law

b)

everyone is equal under the law

c)

separation of powers

d)

natural rights

92.

Which Document gave citizens their political views on individual rights?

a)

English Bill of Rights

b)

Magna Carta

c)

Mayflower Compact

d)

the Internet

93.

The Founding Fathers were attracted to Montesquieu's ideas of separation of power because it would help prevent the central government from becoming ________ and _________.

a)

popular, famous

b)

weak, small

c)

tyrannical, oppressive

d)

powerful, weak

94.

An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

a)

Compromise

b)

Federalism

c)

Debt

d)

Petition

95.

Having two branches or chambers

a)

Unicameral

b)

Bicameral

c)

Tricameral

d)

Quadcameral

96.

The division of power between the Federal government and the states

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Federalism

d)

Republicanism

97.

People who chose to support the new Constitution were called...

a)

Whigs

b)

Democrats

c)

Republicans

d)

Federalists

98.

The group of people who officially elect the President

a)

Electoral College

b)

Senate

c)

House of Representatives

d)

Supreme Court

99.

The basic principles and laws of a nation or state, that determine the powers and duties of the government

a)

Federalist

b)

Constitution

c)

Ratify

d)

Amendment

100.

A series of essays written to defend the Constitution.

a)

Three-Fifths Compromise

b)

Great Compromise

c)

Federalist Papers

d)

Common Sense

101.

A person who opposed the approval of the Constitution

a)

Tories

b)

Whigs

c)

Federalists

d)

Anti-Federalist

102.

To sign or give formal consent to, to approve

a)

Cede

b)

Nullify

c)

Ratify

d)

Annex

103.

A minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc.

a)

Compromise

b)

Nullify

c)

Ratify

d)

Amendment

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