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Civic Literacy Vocabulary

Total questions: 75

Worksheet time: 38mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the term for the following definition? Dividing government power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Federalism

d)

Popular Sovereignty

2.

What is the term for the following definition? Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.

a)

Checks and Balances

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Federalism

d)

Popular Sovereignty

3.

What is the term for the following definition? Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law. No one is above the law.

a)

Rule of Law

b)

Majority Rule

c)

Judicial Review

d)

Separation of Powers

4.

What is the term for the following definition? A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

a)

Federalism

b)

Monarchy

c)

Unitary system

d)

Confederation

5.

What is the term for the following definition? Fair treatment through the legal system, including the right to a trial.

a)

Due Process

b)

Double Jeopardy

c)

Habeas Corpus

d)

Judicial Review

6.

What is the term for the following definition? Freedoms and protections that every person has, such as freedom of speech or religion.

a)

Individual Rights

b)

Collective Bargaining

c)

Judicial Review

d)

Legislative Powers

7.

What is the term for the following definition? Rights people are born with that cannot be taken away (e.g., life, liberty, property).

a)

Inalienable Rights/Natural Rights

b)

Civil Duties

c)

Legal Privileges

d)

Statutory Regulations

8.

What is the term for the following definition? Government gets its power from the people, who agree to be ruled.

a)

Consent of the Governed

b)

Rule of Law

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Divine Right

9.

What is the term for the following definition? An agreement where people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection by the government.

a)

Social Contract

b)

Direct Democracy

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Divine Right

10.

What is the term for the following definition? The Supreme Court’s power to decide if a law is unconstitutional.

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Executive Order

c)

Legislative Veto

d)

Writ of Certiorari

11.

What is the term for the following definition? When judges avoid overturning laws and defer to elected branches.

a)

Judicial Restraint

b)

Judicial Activism

c)

Stare Decisis

d)

Originalism

12.

What is the term for the following definition? When judges actively interpret the Constitution to reflect modern values.

a)

Judicial Activism

b)

Judicial Restraint

c)

Stare Decisis

d)

Originalism

13.

What is the term for the following definition? A court’s power to hear a case first.

a)

Original Jurisdiction

b)

Appellate Jurisdiction

c)

Concurrent Jurisdiction

d)

Exclusive Jurisdiction

14.

What is the term for the following definition? A court’s power to review decisions made by lower courts.

a)

Appellate Jurisdiction

b)

Original Jurisdiction

c)

Concurrent Jurisdiction

d)

Exclusive Jurisdiction

15.

What is the term for the following definition? Political ideology is centered on the belief that a country should be governed as a republic, and sovereignty resides in the people. Emphasizes representative government and active citizen participation to prevent corruption and arbitrary power.

a)

Republicanism

b)

Judicial Activism

c)

Loose Constructionism

d)

Original Jurisdiction

16.

Fill in the blank: __________ refers to how courts interpret and apply laws passed by legislatures.

a)

Statutory Interpretation

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Legal Precedent

d)

Case Law

17.

Fill in the blank: __________ is law developed from custom and judicial decisions rather than written statutes.

a)

Common Law

b)

Statutory Law

c)

Civil Law

d)

Constitutional Law

18.

Fill in the blank: __________ is a court decision used as a rule in future similar cases.

a)

Precedent

b)

Affidavit

c)

Indictment

d)

Testimony

19.

What is the highest law in the U.S. that outlines how the government works?

a)

Constitution

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

Federalist Papers

20.

What was the first U.S. government plan, replaced by the Constitution because it was too weak?

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Emancipation Proclamation

d)

Federalist Papers

21.

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms called?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

Emancipation Proclamation

22.

What is the law-making branch of government (e.g., Congress) called?

a)

Legislature

b)

Judiciary

c)

Executive

d)

Cabinet

23.

What is the branch that carries out and enforces laws (led by the president or governor)?

a)

Executive Branch

b)

Legislative Branch

c)

Judicial Branch

d)

Financial Branch

24.

What is the branch that interprets laws and resolves legal disputes (courts)?

a)

Judicial Branch

b)

Executive Branch

c)

Legislative Branch

d)

Administrative Branch

25.

What is a legislature made up of two parts or houses (like the U.S. Congress: Senate + House) called?

a)

Bicameral

b)

Unicameral

c)

Tricameral

d)

Monocameral

26.

What are the different levels of government that share power in the U.S. system called?

a)

Federal, State, and Local Government

b)

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches

c)

Democratic, Republican, and Independent Parties

d)

National, Provincial, and Municipal Authorities

27.

What is a court's authority to hear certain cases called?

a)

Jurisdiction

b)

Legislation

c)

Arbitration

d)

Litigation

28.

What is a court where a case starts and evidence is presented called?

a)

Trial Court

b)

Appellate Court

c)

Supreme Court

d)

Family Court

29.

What is a court that reviews decisions made by lower courts called?

a)

Appellate Court

b)

Trial Court

c)

District Court

d)

Magistrate Court

30.

What is the highest court in a state's judicial system called?

a)

State Supreme Court

b)

State District Court

c)

State Appeals Court

d)

State Circuit Court

31.

What is a trial-level court that hears serious criminal and civil cases called?

a)

Superior Court

b)

Small Claims Court

c)

Traffic Court

d)

Juvenile Court

32.

What is a lower trial court that hears minor cases and civil matters called?

a)

District Court

b)

Supreme Court

c)

Appellate Court

d)

High Court

33.

Fill in the blank: ________ is legal membership in a country with rights and responsibilities.

a)

Citizenship

b)

Immigration

c)

Residency

d)

Visa

34.

Fill in the blank: ________ is the legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen.

a)

Naturalization

b)

Deportation

c)

Extradition

d)

Emigration

35.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a person who is a U.S. citizen by birth.

a)

Native-born Citizen

b)

Naturalized Citizen

c)

Permanent Resident

d)

Non-immigrant Alien

36.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a population count taken every 10 years to determine representation and funding.

a)

Census

b)

Survey

c)

Referendum

d)

Audit

37.

Fill in the blank: ________ means taking part in activities like voting, volunteering, or attending meetings.

a)

Civic Participation

b)

Personal Finance

c)

Physical Education

d)

Art Appreciation

38.

Fill in the blank: ________ are voluntary actions like voting or staying informed.

a)

Responsibilities of Citizens

b)

Laws of the Land

c)

Rights of Citizens

d)

Duties of the Government

39.

Fill in the blank: ________ are required actions like paying taxes or serving on a jury.

a)

Duties of Citizens

b)

Rights of Citizens

c)

Privileges of Citizens

d)

Freedoms of Citizens

40.

Fill in the blank: ________ are steps taken by individuals or groups to solve community or political problems.

a)

Civic Action

b)

Personal Gain

c)

Financial Planning

d)

Leisure Activities

41.

Fill in the blank: ________ means making decisions or taking actions based on facts and research.

a)

Informed Action

b)

Random Guess

c)

Emotional Response

d)

Unplanned Move

42.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a political system where two main parties dominate elections (Democrats & Republicans).

a)

Two-Party System

b)

Monarchy

c)

One-Party System

d)

Multi-Party System

43.

Fill in the blank: ________ is how people develop their political beliefs and values.

a)

Political Socialization

b)

Economic Policy

c)

Judicial Review

d)

Federalism

44.

Fill in the blank: ________ is a person’s beliefs and alignment with political parties or ideologies.

a)

Political Identity

b)

Economic Status

c)

Cultural Heritage

d)

Geographical Location

45.

Fill in the blank: ________ are the tools of mass communication (TV, internet, newspapers) that inform the public.

a)

Media

b)

Furniture

c)

Vehicles

d)

Plants

46.

Fill in the blank: ________ is the right of journalists to publish news without government control.

a)

Free Press

b)

Censorship

c)

Martial Law

d)

Propaganda

47.

What is the term for the following definition? A system where people have power through voting and participation.

a)

Democracy

b)

Monarchy

c)

Dictatorship

d)

Oligarchy

48.

What is the term for the following definition? A government where people elect leaders to represent them.

a)

Republic

b)

Monarchy

c)

Dictatorship

d)

Oligarchy

49.

What is the term for the following definition? Different forms such as monarchy, dictatorship, democracy, or authoritarian rule.

a)

Types of Government

b)

Branches of Science

c)

Economic Systems

d)

Forms of Currency

50.

What is the term for the following definition? Groups with shared interests or goals, often within politics.

a)

Factions

b)

Constitutions

c)

Bureaucracies

d)

Elections

51.

What is the term for the following definition? Organizations that try to gain political power through elections.

a)

Political Parties

b)

Interest Groups

c)

Non-Governmental Organizations

d)

Trade Unions

52.

What is the term for the following definition? The process by which citizens choose leaders or vote on laws.

a)

Elections

b)

Taxation

c)

Legislation

d)

Census

53.

What is the term for the following definition? Steps like registering to vote, campaigning, and casting ballots.

a)

Election Process

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Legislative Session

d)

Impeachment Proceedings

54.

What is the term for the following definition? The rules and money involved in funding political campaigns.

a)

Campaign Finance

b)

Electoral College

c)

Gerrymandering

d)

Lobbying

55.

What is the term for the following definition? Political groups that raise unlimited money to support candidates indirectly.

a)

SuperPACs

b)

Lobbyists

c)

Political Action Committees (PACs)

d)

Grassroots Organizations

56.

What is the term for the following definition? Government plans and actions to solve public problems.

a)

Public Policy

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Civil Rights

d)

Federalism

57.

What is the term for the following definition? Laws passed by a government body.

a)

Legislation

b)

Jurisdiction

c)

Ordinance

d)

Regulation

58.

What is the term for the following definition? National laws and programs created by the federal government.

a)

Federal Policy

b)

State Law

c)

Local Ordinance

d)

International Treaty

59.

What is the term for the following definition? Laws and programs created by state governments.

a)

State Policy

b)

Federal Law

c)

Municipal Code

d)

International Treaty

60.

What is the term for the following definition? How government puts laws and policies into action.

a)

Policy Implementation

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Legislative Debate

d)

Budget Allocation

61.

Fill in the blank: __________ means treating all people the same under the law.

a)

Equality

b)

Liberty

c)

Fraternity

d)

Justice

62.

Fill in the blank: __________ is a guarantee that everyone is treated equally by the government (14th Amendment).

a)

Equal Protection

b)

Due Process

c)

Judicial Review

d)

Habeas Corpus

63.

Fill in the blank: __________ is fairness in law, rights, and treatment.

a)

Justice

b)

Power

c)

Wealth

d)

Privilege

64.

Fill in the blank: __________ are rights that protect people from discrimination.

a)

Civil Rights

b)

Property Rights

c)

Economic Rights

d)

Voting Rights

65.

Fill in the blank: __________ are freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution (e.g., speech, religion).

a)

Civil Liberties

b)

Economic Rights

c)

Political Parties

d)

State Laws

66.

Fill in the blank: __________ is unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, or other traits.

a)

Discrimination

b)

Celebration

c)

Cooperation

d)

Motivation

67.

Fill in the blank: __________ is pushing a group to the edge of society where they have less power.

a)

Marginalization

b)

Empowerment

c)

Integration

d)

Assimilation

68.

Fill in the blank: __________ means ensuring all people can use the legal system fairly.

a)

Access to Justice

b)

Rule of Law

c)

Due Process

d)

Judicial Review

69.

Fill in the blank: __________ are freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

a)

First Amendment Rights

b)

Fourth Amendment Rights

c)

Civil War Amendments

d)

States' Rights

70.

Fill in the blank: __________ is the right to keep and bear arms.

a)

Second Amendment Rights

b)

First Amendment Rights

c)

Fifth Amendment Rights

d)

Fourth Amendment Rights

71.

Fill in the blank: __________ is the death penalty as a punishment for a crime.

a)

Capital Punishment

b)

Community Service

c)

Probation

d)

Parole

72.

Fill in the blank: __________ is ending the separation of races in public places.

a)

Desegregation

b)

Segregation

c)

Integration

d)

Discrimination

73.

Fill in the blank: __________ means ensuring all students have fair opportunities to succeed.

a)

Equity in Education

b)

Standardized Testing

c)

Classroom Management

d)

Homework Policies

74.

Fill in the blank: __________ are legal protections that ensure the right to vote.

a)

Voting Rights

b)

Property Rights

c)

Copyrights

d)

Gun Rights

75.

Fill in the blank: __________ are laws requiring people to show ID when voting.

a)

Voter ID Laws

b)

Tax Laws

c)

Immigration Laws

d)

Traffic Laws