wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Civics Mini Assessment

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 3hrs 46mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Karen ordered an iPhone online and was so excited to get it in the mail. At work, she showed it to all her co-workers. One co-worker, Kelly, accidently dropped her phone on the floor, cracking the screen. Kelly refused to pay to fix the phone, so Karen took the matter to court. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Criminal Law

b)

Civil Law

c)

Constituional Law

d)

Military Law

e)

Juvenile Law

2.

Samantha Powers was given order by her commanding officer to report for duty at the Sunshine State Air Force base on Tuesday at 9 AM. Samantha decides she’s hungry and stops by a coffee shop instead. She arrives 3 hours late, and her commanding officer has already escalated the issue for failure to report-in.

a)

Civil Law

b)

Constitutional Law

c)

Military Law

d)

Juvenile Law

e)

Criminal Law

3.

A man was accused of attacking another man. He was brought into police custody and interrogated for 2 hours. Prior to the interrogation, he was never informed that he had the right to remain silent or to have a lawyer present. During the interrogation, he signed a confession. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Constitutional Law

b)

Criminal Law

c)

Civil Law

d)

Juvenile Law

e)

Military Law

4.

Tony Bryant joined the armed forces when he turned 18. Six months later, Tony decided he no longer wanted to be in the armed forces. He failed to return to base after going on leave, and he was charged and brought to trial for being AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave). What type of law does this represent?

a)

Juvenile Law

b)

Military Law

c)

Constituional Law

d)

Criminal Law

e)

Civil Law

5.

Brady was caught on tape robbing a gas station. He was later arrested, brought to trial, and found guilty of burglary. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Juvenile Law

b)

Constitutional Law

c)

Civil Law

d)

Criminal Law

e)

Military Law

6.

Joseph has decided to build a fence around his property to prevent his neighbor’s dog from destroying his yard. Joseph’s neighbor realizes the fence is crossing onto his property. He asks Joseph to move the fence, but Joseph refuses. The neighbor decides to take this to court. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Constituitonal Law

b)

Civil Law

c)

Juvenile Law

d)

Military Law

e)

Criminal Law

7.

Becky was upset about a new law. She decided to protest with friends in front of city hall. Police arrived and told them they had to leave. Becky explained they had a permit to be there and the freedom to express how they felt about this law. The officers still took the group into custody. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Constitutional Law

b)

Criminal Law

c)

Civil Law

d)

Juvenile Law

e)

Military Law

8.

Kevin was hanging out with his friends at the local outdoor mall after 10 PM. Due to a situation where someone drew graffiti on the property, the local government put a curfew that begins at 9 PM for all under 18 unless they’re with an adult. Security escorts the teens out of the mall. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Constitutional Law

b)

Military Law

c)

Juvenile Law

d)

Civil Law

e)

Criminal Law

9.

Beth was driving to work when she looked at her phone for moment because she received a text message. Due to this, she ended up hitting a car in front of her. In a moment of panic, she quickly drives away without taking responsibility. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Criminal Law

b)

Civil Law

c)

Constitutional Law

d)

Military Law

e)

Juvenile Law

10.

Peter just turned 16 and got his driver’s license. He is so excited to finally have the freedom to drive himself. One day when driving to his part-time job, he gets pulled over by a police officer for speeding. Peter notices that he forgot his license at home. This is a big problem. What type of law does this represent?

a)

Military Law

b)

Constitutional Law

c)

Criminal Law

d)

Civil Law

e)

Juvenile Law

11.

What is the oldest written code of laws?

a)

Code of Justinian

b)

Code of Hammurabi

c)

Napoleonic Code

d)

Common law

12.

All of the following are judge-made laws except

a)

statutes

b)

common law

c)

precedent

d)

case law

13.

The purpose of ____________ law is to protect public safety.

a)

public

b)

civil

c)

constitution

d)

criminal

14.

The two basic types of law in the American legal system are

a)

public and private.

b)

civil and criminal.

c)

military and civil.

d)

constitutional and statutory.

15.

Which branch is in charge of writing statutes?

a)

executive

b)

legislative

c)

the 4th branch, the people

d)

judicial

16.

Which branch makes case law?

a)

the 4th branch, the people

b)

executive

c)

legislative

d)

judicial

17.

The U.S. Supreme Court's most important function is

a)

correcting any technical mistakes they make in the cases they hear.

b)

establishing legal precedents that will guide lower court decisions.

c)

settling jurisdictional disputes between state and federal judges.

d)

settling jurisdictional disputes among federal judges.

18.

The following is an example of which type of law?

“Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to deceive, signs any false record, return, regulation, order, or other official document, knowing it to be false, or makes any other false official statement knowing it to be false, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

a)

military law

b)

statutory law

c)

constitutional law

d)

regulations

19.

What type of law relates to rehabilitating minors who are accused of a crime?

a)

military law

b)

juvenile law

c)

constitutional law

d)

statutory law

20.

Which of the following is considered the most important, or highest, source of American law?

a)

criminal law

b)

civil law

c)

Roman law

d)

U.S. Constitution

21.
A ________ is an interpretation of a law that is used in later trials.
a)
statute
b)
precedent
c)
criminal
d)
jury
22.

The Supreme Law of our land

a)

Ordinance

b)

Regulation

c)

Statues

d)

Constitution

23.

Once the Supreme Court has decided how the law should be interpreted, that interpretation must be followed in the future.

a)

Civil

b)

Lawsuit

c)

Precedent

24.

Less serious crimes where the penalty is usually less than a year in jail or even just a fine.

a)

Felonies

b)

Misdemeanors

c)

Lawsuit

d)

Precedent

25.

What is the first set of written laws?

a)

Hammurabi's Code

b)

Magna Carta

c)

Common Sense

d)

U.S. Constitution

26.

Which U.S. document is the "Supreme Law of the Land"?

a)

U.S. Constitution

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Florida Constitution

d)

Bill of Rights

27.

Laws passed by Congress or state legislatures, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, are ___________________ laws.

a)

statutory

b)

common

c)

civil

d)

constitutional

28.

Laws that are based on customs (legal traditions) and prior legal decisions and is used in civil cases are ____________________ laws.

a)

constitutional

b)

case

c)

statutory

d)

common

29.
The passage below describes a dispute between two neighbors.
--------------Liz’s 16 year old daughter backed into Doug’s car while it was parked in front of his house.  Doug sued Liz for $1100 to cover the cost of repairing the car.    -----------------------
Which court heard the case?
a)
Circuit Court of Appeals
b)
Florida Supreme Court
c)
Appellate Court
d)
County Court
30.
The passage below describes a U.S. Supreme Court Decision. 
In 1940, the Texas Democratic Party refused to give an African-American man a ballot to select candidates to run for Congress and governor.  
In finding this action unconstitutional “…this Court is not constrained to follow a previous decision which…, involves the application of a constitutional principle, rather than an interpretation of the Constitution to evolve the principle itself.”
What does this court decision illustrate?  
a)
The court has the power to accept appeals cases.
b)
The court has the power of judicial review.
c)
The court is a district court
d)
The court is a trial court
31.
How does an appellate court differ from a trial court?
a)
An appellate court usually has a jury
b)
An appellate court decides issues of fact
c)
An appellate court examines more witnesses
d)
An appellate court reviews another courts decision 
32.
If a case went from the US District Court to the US Circuit Court of Appeals, what would the next stop be?
a)
US Supreme Court
b)
Florida Supreme Court
c)
County Court
d)
Trial Court
33.
Which level of the Florida Court System handles misdemeanor crimes?
a)
County Court
b)
Circuit Court
c)
District Court of Appeal
d)
Florida Supreme Court
34.
Which level of the Florida Court System handles felony crimes?
a)
County Court
b)
Circuit Court
c)
District Court of Appeal
d)
Florida Supreme Court
35.
Which statement correctly ranks federal courts from weakest to strongest?
a)
US District Court, US Court of Appeal, US Supreme Court
b)
US Supreme Court, US Court of Appeal, US District Court
c)
US Court of Appeal, US District Court, US Supreme Court
d)
US Court of Appeal, US Supreme Court, US District Court
36.
What is the name for asking a higher court to review the decision that a lower court made on a case?
a)
Appeal
b)
Retry
c)
Jurisdiction
d)
Verdict
37.
What is original jurisdiction?
a)
The power of a court to hear a case first
b)
The power of a court to hear a case 
c)
The power of a court to hear an appeal
d)
The power of a court to override a law
38.
a)

Court of Veterans Appeals

b)

Court of Appeals

c)

Military Courts

d)

Claims Courts

39.

Juveniles accused of crimes continue to be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case?

a)

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

b)

In re Gault (1967)

c)

Hazelwood v. Kulhmeier (1988)

d)

Tinker v. Des Moines

40.

States must pay for public defenders as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case?

a)

District of Columbia v. Heller

b)

Miranda v. Arizona

c)

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

d)

Gideon v. Wainwright

41.

Which part of the Florida Constitution protects individual rights?

a)

Declaration of Rights

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Amendments

d)

Preamble

42.

Which statement describes a similarity between the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution?

a)

neither protects individual rights

b)

both include an amendment process

c)

neither provides for a chief executive

d)

both include a nine member Supreme Court

43.

Which title completes this table?

a)

Florida and County Government

b)

Florida and U.S. Government

c)

City and County Government

d)

City and U.S. Government

44.

What conclusion can be drawn from the headline?

a)

Citizens can be involved in policy making through their representatives.

b)

Citizens can be directly involved in policy making.

c)

Only elected officials may change constitutions.

d)

Only elected officials make policy.

45.

Which statement identifies a basic similarity between the U.S. and Florida Constitutions?

a)

Both have a preamble, articles and amendments.

b)

Both prohibit the collection of personal income taxes

c)

Both provide details on the qualifications for voting in elections

d)

Both have detailed provisions on public education and local government

46.

The following comes from a document.


“We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.”


What is this document?

a)

Preamble to the United States Constitution

b)

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

c)

Preamble to the Florida Constitution

d)

Pledge of Allegiance

47.

What conclusion can you make based on the graphic?

a)

the Florida Constitution is much older than the U.S.

b)

the Florida Constitution is much longer than the U.S.

c)

There have been few disputes with the U.S. Constitution

d)

Florida became a state in 1968

48.

Which constitutional provision forbids conflict between state and federal laws?

a)

supremacy clause

b)

habeas corpus

c)

elastic clause

d)

ex post facto

49.

Which statement describes a similarity between the Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution?

a)

both have 7 articles

b)

both require native born chief executives

c)

both have legislative term limits

d)

both have a Preamble

50.

Engaged citizens are involved in their government. Which level of government should you contact if you are unhappy with what is being taught at our schools and universities?

a)

municipal

b)

county

c)

state

d)

federal

51.

Engaged citizens are involved in their government. Which level of government should you contact if you are unhappy that troops are still in Afghanistan?

a)

municipal

b)

county

c)

state

d)

federal

52.

What are reserved powers?

a)

Powers that the US Constitution saves for the states. They are not listed in the Constitution.

b)

Powers that the national and state governments share.

c)

Powers listed in the Constitution that are given to the federal government.

53.

What are concurrent powers?

a)

Powers that the US Constitution saves for the states. They are not listed in the Constitution.

b)

Powers that the national and state governments share.

c)

Powers listed in the Constitution that are given to the federal government.

54.

What are expressed/enumerated powers?

a)

Powers that the US Constitution saves for the states. They are not listed in the Constitution.

b)

Powers that the national and state governments share.

c)

Powers listed in the Constitution that are given to the federal government.

55.

Which is a reserved power?

a)

funding the military

b)

school-related matters

c)

taxes

56.

Which is a concurrent power?

a)

funding the military

b)

school-related matters

c)

taxes

57.

Which is a expressed/enumerated power?

a)

funding the military

b)

school-related matters

c)

taxes

58.

What happens if local (county or municipal) government passes a law or budget that disagrees with a federal law or budget?

a)

They compromise and change both.

b)

The local law or budget wins out because of the 10th amendment.

c)

The federal law or budget wins out because of the supremacy clause.

59.

Mr. Dude just passed his test to become a hairstylist. Which level of government is in charge of licenses

a)

Federal

b)

local

c)

State

60.

the following are examples of which level of governments responsibilities: Street lights, trash, electrical, school busses, building schools.

a)

Federal

b)

Local

c)

State

61.

Ashanti wants her town to have a new post office since it has grown a lot in the past year. Which level of government is in charge of post offices

a)

Federal

b)

Local

c)

State

62.

Which government function is only carried out ONLY by the federal government?

a)

negotiating treaties

b)

holding felony trials

c)

monitoring elections

d)

making traffic laws

63.

What is the purpose of reserved powers in the U.S. Constitution?

a)

to encourage ratification by the Anti-Federalists

b)

to satisfy the expectations of the Federalists

c)

to give states the majority of power

d)

to limit the power of the federal government

64.

Which three words mean the same thing

a)

Concurrent

b)

Delegated

c)

Enumerated

d)

Expressed

65.

Which label would be the best fit for letter A

a)

State

b)

Local

c)

Federal

66.

Which would best fit for letter B?

a)

State

b)

Local

c)

Federal

67.

How does federalism limit the National government

a)

It gives states the ability to balance the power from the national government.

b)

It gives all the major power to the federal government.

c)

It gives states more power then the national government.

68.
A senator is caught speeding, what should happen?
a)
The Senator should be let go.
b)
The Senator should be arrested
c)
The Senator should be given a ticket and pay the fine.
d)
The Congressional Budget Office should pay for the ticket.
69.
Which of the following Constitutional principles require the government to follow its own rules?
a)
rule of law 
b)
popular sovereignty
c)
republicanism
d)
judicial review
70.
Read the Scenario in the graphic and answer the question.
a)
criminal court
b)
civil court
c)
family court
d)
appeals court
71.
Read the scenario in the graphic and answer the question.
a)
Society B respects the principle of popular sovereignty
b)
Society B operates under the rule of law
c)
Society A does not guarantee a trial by jury.
d)
Society A does not respect the principle of popular sovereignty
72.
Look at the graphic and correctly identify the types of law involved.
a)
1.  civil law; 2.  state law; 3.  military law; 4.  federal law
b)
1.  civil law; 2.  federal law; 3.  state law; 4.  military law
c)
1.  state law; 2.  civil law; 3.  criminal law; 4.  federal law
d)
1.  federal law; 2.  state law; 3.  military law; 4.  civil law
73.
Which is a benefit of the rule of law?
a)
Bureaucratic government procedures are reduced.
b)
Government decisions are based on the will of the majority.
c)
Government officials can act on their own instincts in emergencies.
d)
Citizens are protected from arbitrary and oppressive uses of government power.
74.

What lessons did future U.S. leaders learn from the 1974 U.S. Supreme Court case United States v. Nixon?

a)

The president is accountable for obeying the law.

b)

The president is not allowed to have private meetings with Cabinet members.

c)

The president is responsible for enforcing the law.

d)

The president is not allowed to hold secret talks with foregin governments.

75.

Which principle was the focus of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966)?

a)

freedom of expression

b)

self-incrimination

c)

freedom of speech

d)

right to a jury trial

76.

Juveniles accused of crimes continue to be afforded many of the same due process rights as adults as a result of which U.S. Supreme Court case?

a)

District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

b)

Hazelwood v. Kulhmeier (1988)

c)

In re Greene (1930)

d)

In re Gault (1967)

77.

The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision

a)

upheld the consitutionality of a national bank

b)

limited presidential control of foreign policy

c)

advanced civil rights for minorities

d)

Established the power of judicial review

78.

How did the Supreme Court decisions in Gideon v, Wainwright and Miranda v. Arizona affect individual liberties?

a)

Prevented the use of organized prayer in public schools

b)

Eliminated the poll tax as a voting requirement

c)

Required equal pay for men and women performing the same job

d)

Expanded the constitutional rights of people accused of crimes.

79.

Which Supreme Court decision addresses the need for public schools to balance students' rights with principals' responsibilities?

a)

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier

b)

Gideon v. Wainwright

c)

Plessy v. Ferguson

d)

Bush v. Gore

80.

In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the U.S. Supreme Court established the general principle that

a)

states could use poll taxes and literacy tests to establish voting requirements

b)

states could not prevent blacks from voting just because their grandparents had been slaves.

c)

states could require separate accommodations on trains, in schools and the like, for blacks and whites as long as the accommodations were equal

d)

Congress could take away a state's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives if the state refused to allow blacks to vote in Congressional elections.

81.

Two important Supreme Court cases, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District and Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, involved the First Amendment rights of students. Which of the following statements is true?

a)

Tinker expanded First Amendment rights for students while Kuhlmeier limited First Amendment rights for students.

b)

Both cases expanded First Amendment rights for students.

c)

Both cases limited First Amendment rights for students.

d)

Kuhlmeier expanded First Amendment rights for students while Tinker limited First Amendment rights for students.

82.

During an arrest, police must inform people of their "Miranda rights" to remain silent. What basic freedom is this meant to protect and how does it affect those arrested?

a)

The protections against self-incrimination; it informs them that speaking to law enforcement could incriminate them.

b)

The protection of due process, it prevents convicted offenders from receiving cruel and unusal punishment.

c)

The right to freedom of assembly, it precents law enforcement from asking them questions without the presence of an attorney.

d)

The right to freedom of speech, it provides them with the ability to speak to their attorneys without fear of incrimination.

83.

Rule of law means

a)

The executive branch is independent and cannt be forced to follow court orders

b)

Government officials do not have to follow laws

c)

Laws must be followed by everyone except for government officials.

d)

Nobody is above the law.

84.

The conversation below led to the 1963 U.S. Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright.

THE COURT: Mr. Gideon, I am sorry, but I cannot appoint Counsel to represent you in this case. Under the laws of the State of Florida, the only time the Court can appoint Counsel to represent a Defendant is when that person is charged with a capital offense. I am sorry, but I will have to deny your request to appoint Counsel to defend you in this case.

THE DEFENDANT: The United States Supreme Court says I am entitled to be represented by Counsel.


Which was a result of Gideon v. Wainwright?

a)

Defendants in criminal cases who cannot afford counsel are required to defend themselves in court.

b)

Counsel is provided for all defendants in criminal cases who are unable to afford their own attorneys.

c)

The U.S. Supreme Court is no longer legally allowed to make decisions regarding counsel for defendants.

d)

Judges are able to decide whether or not to provide counsel for defendants charged with capital offenses.

85.
SS.7.C.3.4
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
86.
SS.7.C.3.4
Powers that are not given to the Federal government are 
a)
implied powers
b)
expressed powers
c)
reserved powers
d)
super powers
87.
SS.7.C.3.4
Which of the following best explains the 10th amendment?
a)
The people hold unwritten rights that are not spelled out in the Constitution.
b)
Powers not delegated to the federal government may be exercised by the States if not prohibited by the Constitution.
c)
The right to trial by jury
d)
Unlawful search and seizure.
88.
SS.7.C.3.4
Powers held by both the state and national governments are called
a)
expressed powers
b)
implied powers
c)
reserved powers
d)
concurrent powers
89.
SS.7.C.3.4
Run public schools
a)
Federal
b)
State
c)
Shared
90.
SS.7.C.3.4
To declare war is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
91.
SS.7.C.3.4
To regulate schools & education is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
92.
SS.7.C.3.4
To enforce laws is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
93.
SS.7.C.3.4
To coin (make) & print money is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
94.
SS.7.C.3.4
To build roads is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
95.
SS.7.C.3.4
To establish foreign policy is a
a)
delegated (federal only) power
b)
concurrent (shared) power
c)
reserved (state only) power
96.
The powers specifically named and assigned to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution such as printing money. 
a)
Enumerated Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Concurrent Powers
d)
Ex Post Facto
97.
Powers shared by the national, state, and/or local government such as taxes. 
a)
Enumerated Powers
b)
Reserved Powers
c)
Concurrent Powers
d)
Checks and Balances
98.
The final amendment in the Bill of Rights, it states: ”The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
a)
5th 
b)
10th 
c)
27th 
d)
15th 
99.
Powers that are not granted to the federal government that belong to the states and the people, see Tenth Amendment 
a)
Concurrent Powers
b)
Enumerated Powers
c)
Reserved Powers
d)
Checks and Balances
100.
Implied powers are found where in the Constitution.
a)
The supremacy clause
b)
The implied powers clause
c)
The necessary and proper clause
d)
The general powers clause