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Worksheets

Forms and Systems of Government

Total questions: 86

Worksheet time: 2hrs 48mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

After voters vote for their candidate what is the next step in the Electoral College process?

a)

The new president is elected

b)

Members of the Electoral College meet to cast their vote

c)

The Electoral College vote from each state is sent is received in Washington D.C.

d)

The Vice-President receives the results

2.

What is an important consequence of free and fair elections?

a)

People lose confidence in the ability of their leaders.

b)

People develop greater trust in their democratic institutions such as their elections.

c)

People regret the lack of continuity in their government’s policies.

d)

People fear interference by other countries in their electoral processes.

3.

Which type of communication is shown in this poster?

a)

unbiased

b)

propaganda

c)

informational

d)

accurate

4.

The following are requirements for which political office?


  • At least 35 years old
  • Natural born citizen
  • Lived in US for 14 years
a)

President

b)

U.S. Senator

c)

FL Senator

d)

FL Governor

5.

Which title completes the diagram?

a)

How interest groups influence elections

b)

How interest groups use publicity to win support

c)

How interest groups monitor government activities

d)

How interest groups lobby state and federal legislators

6.

Which type of service project would help promote the common good?

a)

planning a neighborhood recycling program

b)

participating in a neighborhood party

c)

completing homework on time

d)

visiting public libraries

7.

How is the distribution of goods and services determined in a free market system or capitalism?

a)

by the free interaction of producers and consumers, based on supply and demand

b)


by government officials who determine what should be produced and how it is distributed

c)

by the government for basic industries and utilities, and by supply and demand for other goods and services

d)

by private trading arrangements between groups of producers and consumers, supervised by government officials.

8.

A country that has a military alliance with the United States faces a civil war

from ethnic conflict. What would be an appropriate first response by the

United States in dealing with the conflict?

a)

threaten the parties in the civil war

b)

impose economic sanctions against the country

c)

send U.S. troops to that country to restore order

d)

encourage peaceful negotiations between the parties

9.

What is the primary objective of U.S. national interest and foreign policy?

a)

to act as the world’s policeman

b)

to protect the security of the United States or national security

c)

to help Americans acquire more wealth than any other people

d)

to make the United States the most popular nation in the world

10.

Which of the following best completes the table?

a)

to promote peaceful coexistence and worldwide cooperation

b)

to protect member countries from North America and Europe

c)

to resolve international legal disputes

d)

to supervise and set rules for international trade

11.

What would be the best title for this diagram?

a)

The impact of voting laws on election contests

b)

The impact of elections on citizens at the local level

c)

The impact of elections on citizens at the state level

d)

The impact of elections on citizens at the national level


12.

The following are requirements for which political office?

-Be at least 30 yrs old

-Reside in Florida for 7 years

a)

President of U.S.

b)

U.S. House of Representatives

c)

Governor of Florida

d)

Florida Legislator

13.

Based on the U.S. Constitution, how is the President of the United States chosen?

a)

elected directly by the people

b)

elected by the state legislatures

c)


elected by the Electoral College

d)

elected by the members of Congress

14.

How is this poster an example of symbolism?

a)

Uncle Sam as a symbol for the U.S. and its government

b)

The U.S. military as a symbol the world's most powerful

c)

Americans as soldiers

d)

All democracies around the world

15.

What should be the title for this diagram?

a)

How the media acts as a watchdog

b)

How individuals monitor government

c)

How propaganda impacts public opinion

d)

How interest groups influence government

16.

Which of the following occurred in consequence of this event?

a)

The United States entered World War II.

b)

The United States entered the Korean War.

c)

The United States signed the Atlantic Charter.

d)

The United States signed the United Nations Charter.

17.


In November 1932, Democratic candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt was

elected as President of the United States. He replaced Herbert Hoover, a

Republican. Roosevelt changed Hoover’s policies by providing direct relief to

unemployed workers through programs such as the Civilian Conservation

Corps.

What conclusion can be drawn from this example?

a)

Political parties have done more harm to society than good

b)

Disagreements between the two main parties caused the Great

Depression.

c)

Both of the major political parties have had an important role in shaping

public policy

d)

The existence of political parties distracts leaders from promoting the

common good.

18.

Which statement completes the chart?

a)

There is an absence of freedom of choice

b)

Producers and consumers make their own decisions.

c)

Government officials instruct private producers what to make

d)

The government seizes the wealth of landowners and manufacturer

19.

What is the purpose of imposing sanctions on a foreign country?

a)

to obtain economic benefits from the foreign country

b)

to place pressure on its leaders to change their policies

c)

to demonstrate the economic power of the United States

d)

to force foreign leaders to accept an unpopular trade agreement

20.

What purpose is common to all three of these organizations?

a)

military isolation

b)

collective security

c)

defensive alliances

d)

international cooperation

21.

Which phrase completes diagram?

a)

How Congress influences U.S. domestic policy

b)

How Congress influences U.S. foreign policy

c)

How the State Department manages U.S. domestic affairs.

d)

How the President influences foreign policy

22.

Which of the elections above are conducted at the state level?

a)

I, III, VI

b)

II, IV, V

c)

II, III, V

d)

I, IV, VI

23.

The following are requirements for which political office?


At least 21 years old

Live in the district they will represent

Live in Florida for 2 years

a)

U.S. Senator

b)

FL Legislator

c)

FL Governor

d)

U.S. Representative

24.

Which is one of the ways that individuals are able to influence the

government?

a)

by voting in elections

b)

by attending civic meetings

c)

by acting as watchdogs

d)

by hiring lobbyists

25.

Juan and Maria have noticed that all the frogs in their local pond have been

very quiet recently. When they went to the pond, they could no longer hear

any of them. Then they saw a few of them were dead.

To which government

agency should they report this problem?

a)

Florida Department of Education

b)

Florida Department of Elder Affairs

c)

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs

d)

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

26.

Which action would be an example of a foreign-policy decision?

a)

Congress changes the naturalization rules for immigrants wishing to

become citizens.

b)

The President signs an executive order modifying emissions standards for

power plants burning coal.

c)

Congress passes a law providing tax benefits to companies manufacturing

cars using electrical power

d)

The President accepts an invitation to mediate between China and Japan

over ownership of the Senkaku Islands.

27.

How do command economies under communist governments determine

what goods and services to provide to their citizens?

a)

Central planners set quotas for state-owned farms and factories.

b)

Private businesses decide what to produce based on consumer demand.

c)

Private citizens determine their own needs and produce for themselves.


d)

State-owned industries determine some production while private

businesses produce goods based on consumer demand.

28.

Which statement completes the diagram?

a)

The United States sent troops into East Germany.

b)

The United States threatened to attack the Soviet Union.

c)

The United States sent food and supplies to West Berlin by air.

d)

The United States put a naval blockade around Cuba.

29.

Which argument is used by opponents of U.S. membership in the United

Nations?

a)

The United Nations is expensive and has failed to prevent international

aggression.

b)

The United Nations provides a forum where the United States can

present its views.

c)

The United Nations maintains peacekeeping forces in many parts of the

world to day.

d)

The United Nations plays an essential role in providing economic and

social assistance.

30.

Which phrase completes the diagram?

a)

How the media influences government

b)

How lobbyists monitor government officials

c)

How elected officials influence public opinion

d)

How individuals can influence the government

31.

Which of the following is not an example of an action that would support U.S. foreign policy interests?

a)

negotiating trade agreements with other countries

b)

imposing sanctions on countries that are acting as aggressors

c)

supporting the humanitarian efforts of international organizations

d)

increasing regulations on food products grown in the United States

32.

Which international organization protects the United States, Canada, and

Western Europe through collective security?

a)

the United Nations

b)

the World Trade Organization

c)

the International Court of Justice

d)

NATO

33.

The following are requirements for which political office?


At least 25 years old

US citizen for 7 years

Live in the state they represent

a)

U.S. House of Representatives

b)

U.S. Senator

c)

FL Legislator

d)

President

34.

Which of the following issues would most likely be a foreign policy matter?

a)

balancing the federal budget

b)

negotiating a treaty with Mexico

c)

raising the retirement age for Social Security

d)

revising neighborhood zoning restrictions

35.

What was the primary reason for U.S. involvement in the Korean War?

a)

an imperialist longing to annex new colonies

b)

a fear of the international spread of communism

c)

the hope of expanding American frontiers westward

d)

a humanitarian desire to improve the economy of Korea

36.

What is the role of the First Amendment in protecting the rights of the media?


a)

It allows the media to publish false information without consequences.

b)

It shields the media from legal action when they knowingly defame someone.

c)

It enables the media to scrutinize government actions without fear of reprisal.

d)

It authorizes the media to disclose classified military information, risking national security.

37.

In October 1962, American spy planes discovered that the Soviet Union was about to install nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida. How did President John F. Kennedy respond to this crisis?

a)

He ordered the invasion of Cuba by an army of Cuban exiles.

b)

He threatened the Soviet Union with an immediate nuclear attack.

c)

He agreed to let the missiles remain in Cuba in order to avoid a nuclear war.

d)

He established a naval blockade around Cuba until the missiles were removed.

38.

The following are requirements for which political office?


At least 30 years old

US citizen for 9 years

Live in the state they represent

a)

President

b)

U.S. Senator

c)

U.S. Representative

d)

FL Senator

39.

The local library has reduced its opening hours in order to save the

community money. Many students and parents are upset at this change.

Many students liked to go to the library after school. Which public policy

alternative would be fair and not overburden the community?

a)

charge borrowers triple fines for overdue books

b)

charge everyone in the community an additional “library tax”

c)

use community volunteers to extend the library’s opening hours

d)

sell half of the books in the library to have more money for opening

times

40.

The list below describes the characteristics of an economic system.

People can own private property.

Producers can make whatever they want.

Consumers can buy whatever they want.

Producers act to make a profit.

What is an important consequence of this type of economic system?

a)

Government leaders take over all farms and industries to provide greater

equality.

b)

Many people enjoy economic freedom and high standards of living.

c)

Living standards drop when the country falls behind in its use of

technology.

d)

People are helped by the government, which provides many free public

services.

41.

The passage below is from Adam Smith,

The Wealth of Nations

(1776).

Every individual is continually [pushing] himself to find out the [best use] for

whatever capital he can command. It is his own advantage, indeed, and not

that of the society, which he has in view. But the [pursuit of his own benefit]

naturally. . . leads him to prefer that [use] which is most advantageous to the

society.

Which type of economic system does Smith describe in this passage?

a)

mixed economy or socialism

b)

command economy or communism

c)

theocratic economy

d)

free market economy or capitalism

42.

Why did President Roosevelt consider December 7, 1941, a “date which will

live in infamy”?

a)

Terrorists attacked the World Trade Center.

b)

Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

c)

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

d)

North Korea attacked South Korea.

43.

Which international organization's purpose is to keep peace around the world and develop friendly relationships among nations?

a)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

b)

World Health Organization (WHO)

c)

United Nations (UN)

d)

The World Bank

44.

Based on this excerpt, which form of government would Ayatollah

Khomeini have preferred?

a)

oligarchy

b)

autocracy

c)

theocracy

d)

democracy

45.

Which type of economic system provides the most economic freedom and

has historically provided high standards of living?

a)

socialism

b)

capitalism

c)

command

d)

communism

46.

What is the purpose of the International Court of Justice?

a)

to settle legal disputes between countries

b)

to provide economic aid to struggling nations

c)

to provide a place where citizens can sue governments

d)

to hear appeals from lower courts

47.

Which conflict did the United States enter after a surprise attack on the U.S.

naval fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii?

a)

World War II

b)

Vietnam War

c)

First Gulf War

d)

Spanish-American War

48.

Which statement describes a mixed economy under a socialist government?

a)

Private businesses provide all goods and services

b)

Taxes are low, but government services are extremely limited.

c)

The government owns several industries and provides some services at

no cost.

d)

The central government makes all economic decisions.

49.

What do these international organizations have in common?

a)

International organizations focused on common defense

b)


International organizations that grew out of the Cold War

c)

International organizations formed to help developing nations

d)

International organizations in which the United States plays a role

50.

John lives in the country of Devonia. Devonia has an absolute leader in

charge of its government. This leader holds unlimited power. She can

imprison or even execute citizens at will.

Under which form of

government does John live?

a)

a monarchy

b)

an oligarchy

c)

constitutional republic

d)

totalitarian government


51.

The Florida Constitutional Amendment Process where 60% or more of the voters have to vote YES in order for the amendment to be added is an example of what type of government?

a)

direct democracy

b)

oligarchy

c)

monarchy

d)

socialism

52.

In the United States, power is shared between the national government and the state governments. Which system of government does the United States have?

a)

unitary

b)

confederal

c)

autocratic

d)

federal

53.

Which list correctly identifies the three types of governments in the diagram?

a)

1. Unitary; 2. Federal; 3. Confederal

b)

1. Federal; 2. Confederal; 3. Unitary

c)

1. Monarchical; 2. Autocratic; 3. Theocratic

d)

1. Confederal; 2. Democratic; 3. Monarchical

54.

Why did the authors of the Constitution create a federal system of

government rather than a unitary system?

a)

They did not trust the state governments.

b)

They feared a central government that was too powerful.

c)

They wanted to limit the role of the people in government.

d)

They had seen how inefficient a weak central government was under the

Articles of Confederation.

C.

constitutional republic

D.

totalitarian government


55.

Which phrase completes the statement?

a)

a monarchy

b)

an oligarchy

c)

a theocracy

d)

a democracy

56.

Which form of government does this statement describe?

a)

autocracy

b)

oligarchy

c)

absolute monarchy

d)

representative government/republic

57.

How does the system of federalism limit government power?

a)

by giving only some powers to the central government

b)

by allowing the national government to define its own powers

c)

by making the state governments superior to the national government

d)

by separating powers among the three branches of the national government

58.

Why did the original U.S. government have a confederal form of government?

a)

the national government wanted to share powers with the states governments

b)

the states did not want to give too much power to the central government

c)

they didn’t trust the state governments

d)

the British forced them to

59.

What do an autocracy and oligarchy have in common?

a)

The head of state is chosen by Parliament.

b)

Their citizens decide public issues for themselves.

c)

The majority of citizens have little or no control over government.

d)

Political power is exercised by representatives elected by the people.

60.

Which form of government gives the most power to ordinary citizens?

a)

oligarchy

b)

democracy

c)

autocracy

d)

theocracy

61.

The excerpt below comes from the writings of Jacques Bénigne Bossuet, a

French bishop in the early 1700s.

"It appears from all this that

the person of the king is sacred, and that to attack him in any way is

sacrilege. . . ."

Based on this excerpt, which form of government would Bishop Bossuet

most likely favor?

a)

oligarchy

b)

democracy

c)

monarchy

d)

confederation

62.

What is one advantage of the American constitutional republic over

autocratic nations in safeguarding individual liberties?

a)

Its national government has unlimited power over its citizens.

b)

The conduct of its government officials is limited by the rule of law.

c)

It places power in a single person without any checks and balances.

d)

It gives local authorities final authority over the national government.

63.

Which sentence completes the chart?

a)

Religious leaders use their authority to run the government.

b)

A single all-powerful ruler makes decisions for the community.

c)

Citizens make decisions by voting on important issues directly.

d)

Elected representatives make key decisions for the community.

64.

Which of the following describes a unitary system of government?

a)

a country in which the central government holds all the power

b)

a federal arrangement of central government and states

c)

the United States under the Articles of Confederation

d)

independent legislatures in several provinces

65.

How does monarchy differ from other forms of government?

a)

Leaders are named in the constitution.

b)

Leaders are chosen by the upper class.

c)

Leaders are born into ruling families.

d)

Leaders are given power by kings.

66.

What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?

a)

In a constitutional monarchy, the people vote on the king or queen

b)

In a constitutional monarchy, the king or queen mostly ceremonial as they don’t really hold any power

c)

In an absolute monarchy, the king writes the constitution not the people

d)

A constitutional monarchy has no king or queen

67.

What do an absolute monarchy, dictatorship, and oligarchy have in common?

a)

The head of state is chosen by Parliament

b)

Their citizens decide public issues for themselves

c)

Political power is exercised by representatives elected by the people

d)

A single individual or small group exercises control over government.

68.

Which statement is true of a federal but not of a unitary system of

government?

a)

Its local governments are extensions of the central government.

b)

Its local governments cannot be abolished by the central government.

c)

Its central government usually appoints the leaders of local governments.

d)

Its central government delegates responsibilities to local governments to

carry out.


69.

The diagram above gives details about U.S. foreign policy. Which best completes the diagram?

a)

U.S. Foreign Policy Resources

b)

Objectives of U.S. Foreign Policy

c)

Instruments of U.S. Foreign Policy

d)

Makers of U.S. Foreign Policy

70.

What is the meaning of the phrase “U.S. foreign policy”?

a)

any action by Congress affecting the size of U.S. armed forces

b)

any government policy concerning affairs within the United States

c)

any action by private individuals helping people in foreign countries

d)

any U.S. government action relating to other countries around the world

71.

Which example affects both domestic and foreign policies of the United States?

a)

New healthcare legislation

b)

Reforms to educational policy

c)

The use of oil or fossil fuels

d)

The rate of minimum wage

72.

Which economic system allows for greater economic freedom?

a)

communism

b)

fascism

c)

capitalism

d)

socialism

73.

Which international organization has these aims?

a)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

b)

US-Mexico-Canada Agreement

c)

World Trade Organization

d)


United Nations

74.

What would be considered an advantage of the government on the right?

a)

There are fewer disagreements over public policy.


b)

It is able to act more quickly in a crisis or emergency.

c)

It provides better safeguards for protecting individual liberties.

d)

Members of the government are able to meet with foreign officials.

75.

Which action would be an example of a foreign-policy decision?

a)

Congress changes the naturalization rules for immigrants wishing to

become citizens

b)

The President signs an executive order modifying emissions standards for

power plants burning coal.

c)

Congress passes a law providing tax benefits to companies manufacturing

cars using electrical power.

d)

The President accepts an invitation to mediate between China and Japan

over ownership of the Senkaku Islands.

76.

A country that has a military alliance with the United States faces a civil war

from ethnic conflict. What would be an appropriate first response by the

United States in dealing with the conflict?

a)

threaten the parties in the civil war

b)

impose economic sanctions against the country

c)

send U.S. troops to that country to restore order

d)

encourage peaceful negotiations between the parties

77.

Which international organization protects the United States, Canada, and

Western Europe through collective security?

a)

the United Nations

b)

NATO

c)

the World Trade Organization

d)

the International Court of Justice

78.

Which type of economic system provides the most economic freedom and

has historically provided high standards of living?

a)

socialism

b)

capitalism

c)

communism

d)

totalitarianism

79.

What is the purpose of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

a)

to protect global peace and stability

b)

to create and maintain rules for international trade

c)

to prosecute those responsible for crimes against humanity

d)

to provide collective security for North America and Europe

80.

What is one method that interest groups use to monitor government?

a)

They file lawsuits on special issues.

b)

They publish editorials in newspapers

c)

They attend legislative committee hearings

d)

They advise candidates on election strategies

81.

Janet and Samuel have noticed that heavy rains have caused flooding by the

local creek. They have developed their own plan to stop this problem. To

which level of government should they submit their plan?

a)

local

b)

state

c)

national/federal/central

d)

international

82.

Which phrase completes the chart?

a)

Attend Civic Meetings

b)

Help family members

c)

Act as a watchdog

d)

Hire lobbyists

83.

Which of the following is not an example of an action that would support U.S. foreign policy interests?

a)

negotiating trade agreements with other countries

b)

imposing sanctions on countries that are acting as aggressors

c)

supporting the humanitarian efforts of international organizations

d)

increasing regulations on food products grown in the United States

84.

In October 1962, American spy planes discovered that the Soviet Union was about to install nuclear missiles in Cuba, 90 miles from Florida. How did President John F. Kennedy respond to this crisis?

a)

He ordered the invasion of Cuba by an army of Cuban exiles.

b)

He threatened the Soviet Union with an immediate nuclear attack.

c)

He agreed to let the missiles remain in Cuba in order to avoid a nuclear war.

d)

He established a naval blockade around Cuba until the missiles were removed.

85.

What do these international organizations have in common?

a)

International organizations focused on common defense

b)


International organizations that grew out of the Cold War

c)

International organizations formed to help developing nations

d)

International organizations in which the United States plays a role

86.

Which of the following statements is an example of propaganda?

a)

There is a test today.

b)

The world might not be around for your children, so do your part and conserve energy.

c)

There are police stationed on Highway 121 with their lights flashing

d)

The current President of the United States of America is Joe Biden.