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WorksheetsPre/Post Civics Test
Total questions: 48
Worksheet time: 25mins
The flow chart below shows part of the process in which a bill becomes a state law. Which action completes the flow chart?
The bill is sent to committee for study.
The bill is sent to the governor for support.
The bill is published in newspapers for comment.
The bill is reviewed by a judge for constitutionality.
Which is one constitutional requirement to be eligible to be elected as President of the United States?
a resident for at least 20 years
previous government service
a member of a political party
at least 35 years of age
The excerpt below is about the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Gideon v. Wainwright (1963). The Court held that the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial and, as such, applies to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. How does this U.S. Supreme Court decision protect individual rights?
It provides defendants a jury of their peers.
It allows lawyers to call witnesses for defendants.
It allows defendants to set aside fines they cannot pay.
It provides defendants legal representation if they cannot afford it.
Which statement describes separation of powers?
Civil servants are not subject to political pressure.
Presidential power is not subject to congressional oversight.
Civilian authorities have control over the branches of the military.
Political authority is divided among the branches of the government.
According to the excerpt, which problem did the Articles of Confederation create?
a lack of checks on legislative powers
a lack of powers given to state legislatures
the lack of authority to enforce congressional acts
the lack of authority to apportion congressional districts
The excerpt below is from the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "The right 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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude." When it was first ratified, which group of people did this amendment address?
Chinese immigrants
Mexican immigrants
Asian-American men
African-American men
Which statement describes the intent of checks and balances?
The government receives revenue from the people.
The government receives authority from the people.
No branch of government can become too powerful.
No branch of government can apply concurrent powers.
The diagram below illustrates the structure of courts of Florida.
Which numbered court has only original jurisdiction?
1
2
3
4
What was the main reason President Harry S. Truman went to the United Nations in response to the Communist invasion of South Korea in 1950?
to justify U.S. economic support for the United Nations
to seek international support for the defense of South Korea
to ask troops to prevent a political overthrow of South Korea
What role does the Cabinet serve at the federal level?
It advises the president on national issues and assists in operating the government.
It works with the political party in power to ensure members support the president’s agenda.
It works with the major news organizations to ensure public support for upcoming legislation.
It advises government leaders on procedural matters and assists in the passage of legislation.
Which statement describes a difference between the duties of state and federal governments?
The federal government builds roads.
The federal government mints coins.
State governments establish courts.
State governments levy taxes.
Read the excerpt from the Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the First Continental Congress on October 14, 1774. How did King George III respond to the action described in the excerpt?
He approved the colonists’ decision to use a trade boycott.
He supported the election of colonial representatives to Parliament.
He ignored the colonists’ demands for change in government policy.
He repealed the law declaring Parliament could pass laws for the colonies.
The diagram below shows some activities in the political process. Which title completes the diagram?
Ways that Corporations Influence Consumers
Ways that Citizens Support Personal Businesses
Ways that Interest Groups Influence Lawmakers
Ways that Public Officials Support Government Reforms
The chart below compares the constitutions of the United States and Florida. What do these two constitutions have in common?
They both include the sharing of powers.
They both include the separation of powers.
They both are examples of government processes.
They both are examples of government regulations.
Read the excerpt published in 1788. Which principle of government is described in this excerpt?
direct democracy
judicial review
rule of law
federalism
Which action did the U.S. government take to help make the world a safer place to live?
It helped found the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994.
It withdrew from the International Red Cross in 1863.
It helped found the United Nations (UN) in 1945.
It withdrew from the European Union in 1993.
The Venn diagram below compares two types of federal courts. Which federal court replaces the question mark?
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
U.S. Territorial Court
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court
What was the significance of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense?
It was a published document outlining personal rights in Great Britain.
It was an influential work calling for independence from Great Britain.
It was a popular almanac instructing colonial farmers.
It was a written framework of colonial government.
The list of questions below is used to determine whether a candidate meets the constitutional requirements to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Which question completes this list?
Which state is the candidate a resident of?
Does the candidate have a college degree?
Does the candidate have a political background?
Which branch of the U.S. Armed Forces is the candidate a veteran of?
Which statement describes a difference between civil law and criminal law?
Only civil cases can be appealed to the highest court.
Criminal cases involve offenses harmful to the public.
Civil cases involve offenses punishable by jail time.
Only criminal cases are ruled on by a jury.
The diagram below shows outcomes of a civic obligation. Which title describes the civic obligation that would result in these outcomes?
Responsibility of Government to Enforce Laws
Role of Voting in Controlling Government
Role of Taxation in Providing Services
Importance of Education in Society
The photo describes types of local governments.
Which generalization can be made about governments in the United States based on this list?
Local governments collect more taxes than the federal government does.
Local governments serve fewer people than the federal government does.
The federal government has many more full-time employees than local governments do.
The federal government has less direct interaction with the people than local governments do.
The diagram below describes a political process. Which statement completes the diagram?
The Senate votes to confirm or deny the appointment.
The federal courts vote to confirm or deny the appointment.
The state governors vote to confirm or deny the appointment.
The House of Representatives votes to confirm or deny the appointment.
The timeline below details a series of events that occurred in the American colonies. Based on this timeline, which conclusion can be drawn about English policies for colonial rule?
English policies attempted to provoke the colonists into a war against the king.
English policies compelled the colonists to acknowledge the sovereignty of the king.
English policies were unable to address the economic downturn experienced by the colonies.
English policies were unable to peacefully resolve the growing political tensions in the colonies.
Which situation is an example of double jeopardy?
A person is put on trial without a lawyer and found guilty.
A person is found guilty after a trial and convicted of multiple crimes.
A person is found guilty after a trial and receives an unreasonable sentence.
A person is put on trial and found guilty of a crime for which he or she has already been tried.
How does a federal system of government differ from a unitary system?
The central government passes laws in a federal system.
States hold some government powers in a federal system.
The central government collects taxes in a federal system.
Voters elect some government leaders in a federal system.
The chart below shows functions of the legislative and executive branches in foreign policy. Which function completes the chart?
Coin money
Declare war
Regulate pollution
Punish counterfeiters
Why are people required to pass a U.S. citizenship test as part of the naturalization process?
to create a safer society
to create a healthier society
to encourage a more informed citizenry
The photograph below was taken during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. Based on this photograph, which generalization can be made about how participating in this type of activity influences government?
Participation demonstrates public concerns to elected officials.
Participation restricts civil rights through organized assemblies.
Participation discourages multiple perspectives about pending legislation.
Participation increases money spent on advertising during election campaigns.
The excerpt below is from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. "... government of the people by the people for the people ..." Which form of government does this excerpt describe?
autocratic
communist
oligarchy
republic
The excerpt below is from a speech delivered by Alexander Hamilton in 1788. "Good constitutions are formed upon a comparison of the liberty of the individual with the strength of government: If the tone of either be too high, the other will be weakened too much." How is Hamilton’s opinion evident in the U.S. Constitution?
by protecting individuals from strong leaders
by sheltering government from social influences
by joining the powers of individuals and government
by balancing the powers of individuals and government
Which action is an example of a foreign-policy decision?
Congress passes a bill establishing Italian heritage month.
Congress approves funds to modernize housing on a military base in Florida.
The State Department honors a former U.S. ambassador to India with a Distinguished Service Award.
The State Department issues a U.S. presidential permit for a bridge to be built from Michigan to Canada.
The political cartoon below is from a 1910 newspaper. This political cartoonist would likely argue that this situation involves a violation of which type of law?
civil law
juvenile law
constitutional law
administrative law
Which document was an agreement by early American settlers that provided for self-government?
The U.S. Constitution
The Mayflower Compact
The Articles of Confederation
The Declaration of Independence
The excerpt below is from Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Article. II. Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. How has the excerpt affected society in the United States?
No one is outside the law.
No one is without legal representation.
Everyone is subject to a grand jury indictment.
Everyone is guaranteed equal representation in government.
The scenario below describes a local problem. 1) A storm destroys the bleachers at the local high school’s football field. 2) The school board announces that it does not have the funds to replace the bleachers. 3) Student leaders announce their desire to have the bleachers replaced. 4) ? 5) Students attend a town council meeting to discuss the replacement of the bleachers. 6) The town council votes to fund replacement of the bleachers. Which course of action should replace the question mark?
Students call on athletes to boycott practices.
Students collect signatures on a petition.
Students organize a boycott of classes.
Students disrupt a public meeting.
Which statement describes a difference between civil law and criminal law?
Only civil cases can be appealed to the highest court.
Criminal cases involve offenses harmful to the public.
Civil cases involve offenses punishable by jail time.
Only criminal cases are ruled on by a jury.
The actions described below are from the Declaration of Independence. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant... He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly... How did these actions affect the colonists?
Colonists were unable to pay their taxes.
Colonists were unable to petition the king.
Colonists were unable to participate in their government.
Colonists were unable to play a part in community service.
How was the demand for women’s suffrage settled?
A petition was addressed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
An amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution.
The U.S. President issued an executive order.
The U.S. Congress passed a law.
The poster below was published in 1943. What was the purpose of this type of poster?
to get people to buy a certain product
to get people to act a certain way
to get people to be sympathetic
to get people to be caring
The passage below describes an event from the 1940s. In 1947, the House Committee on Un-American Activities, an investigative congressional committee, held hearings regarding suspected communist propaganda in Hollywood films. By this time, many people in the U.S. government believed that communist ideas and actions were a danger to the American way of life. The witnesses brought before the committee were asked, “Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?” A group of ten writers and directors labeled “unfriendly witnesses” refused to answer this question or name the names of other possible Communist Party members. They became known as the Hollywood Ten. Which protection from the Bill of Rights did the Hollywood Ten attempt to use during these hearings?
No person shall be compelled to testify against himself or herself.
The accused shall be confronted with the witnesses against him or her.
No person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy.
The accused shall have the compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his or her favor.
The diagram below illustrates a process outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Which title describes this process?
The Amendment Process
The Nomination Process
The Lawmaking Process
The Appellate Process
Which constitutional issue is associated with the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona?
rights of the government
rights of the accused
freedom of religion
freedom of speech
Why do both the U.S. President and the U.S. Senate have the power to approve judges to the federal courts?
to ensure that the branches work together
to expand the power of the executive branch
to increase the power of the legislative branch
to ensure that the branches seek voter support
During the ratification process, which complaint did the Anti-Federalists have with the U.S. Constitution?
It failed to protect individual rights.
It failed to recognize regional differences.
It failed to provide for fair local representation.
It failed to create a strong central government.
The excerpt below was published by Montesquieu in 1748. How did these ideas influence the writers of the U.S. Constitution?
The Constitution establishes a two-house legislature.
The Constitution grants executive power over foreign policy.
The Constitution makes the legislature the strongest branch of government.
The Constitution distributes power among the three branches of government.
Which purpose of the government as stated in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution influenced the creation of a national court system?
establish justice
insure domestic tranquility
promote the general welfare
secure the blessings of liberty
What argument was the author of this statement making that established Judicial Review?
“It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is.”
—John Marshall, Marbury v. Madison, Opinion of the Court
The judicial branch of the Federal Government should have the power to make laws.
The judicial branch of the Federal Government should have power to interpret laws.
The judicial branch has the sole authority to establish a federal court system.
Only the laws created by the Federal Government, and approved by the Court, have any authority in the federal system.
