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WorksheetsCivic Literacy Vocabulary
Total questions: 75
Worksheet time: 38mins
What is the term for the following definition? Dividing government power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
What is the term for the following definition? Each branch of government can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism
Popular Sovereignty
What is the term for the following definition? Everyone, including leaders, must follow the law. No one is above the law.
Rule of Law
Majority Rule
Judicial Review
Separation of Powers
What is the term for the following definition? A system where power is shared between national and state governments.
Federalism
Monarchy
Unitary system
Confederation
What is the term for the following definition? Fair treatment through the legal system, including the right to a trial.
Due Process
Double Jeopardy
Habeas Corpus
Judicial Review
What is the term for the following definition? Freedoms and protections that every person has, such as freedom of speech or religion.
Individual Rights
Collective Bargaining
Judicial Review
Legislative Powers
What is the term for the following definition? Rights people are born with that cannot be taken away (e.g., life, liberty, property).
Inalienable Rights/Natural Rights
Civil Duties
Legal Privileges
Statutory Regulations
What is the term for the following definition? Government gets its power from the people, who agree to be ruled.
Consent of the Governed
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers
Divine Right
What is the term for the following definition? An agreement where people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection by the government.
Social Contract
Direct Democracy
Separation of Powers
Divine Right
What is the term for the following definition? The Supreme Court’s power to decide if a law is unconstitutional.
Judicial Review
Executive Order
Legislative Veto
Writ of Certiorari
What is the term for the following definition? When judges avoid overturning laws and defer to elected branches.
Judicial Restraint
Judicial Activism
Stare Decisis
Originalism
What is the term for the following definition? When judges actively interpret the Constitution to reflect modern values.
Judicial Activism
Judicial Restraint
Stare Decisis
Originalism
What is the term for the following definition? A court’s power to hear a case first.
Original Jurisdiction
Appellate Jurisdiction
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Exclusive Jurisdiction
What is the term for the following definition? A court’s power to review decisions made by lower courts.
Appellate Jurisdiction
Original Jurisdiction
Concurrent Jurisdiction
Exclusive Jurisdiction
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.
Republicanism
Judicial Activism
Loose Constructionism
Original Jurisdiction
Fill in the blank: __________ refers to how courts interpret and apply laws passed by legislatures.
Statutory Interpretation
Judicial Review
Legal Precedent
Case Law
Fill in the blank: __________ is law developed from custom and judicial decisions rather than written statutes.
Common Law
Statutory Law
Civil Law
Constitutional Law
Fill in the blank: __________ is a court decision used as a rule in future similar cases.
Precedent
Affidavit
Indictment
Testimony
What is the highest law in the U.S. that outlines how the government works?
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
Federalist Papers
What was the first U.S. government plan, replaced by the Constitution because it was too weak?
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Emancipation Proclamation
Federalist Papers
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms called?
Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Emancipation Proclamation
What is the law-making branch of government (e.g., Congress) called?
Legislature
Judiciary
Executive
Cabinet
What is the branch that carries out and enforces laws (led by the president or governor)?
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Financial Branch
What is the branch that interprets laws and resolves legal disputes (courts)?
Judicial Branch
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Administrative Branch
What is a legislature made up of two parts or houses (like the U.S. Congress: Senate + House) called?
Bicameral
Unicameral
Tricameral
Monocameral
What are the different levels of government that share power in the U.S. system called?
Federal, State, and Local Government
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
Democratic, Republican, and Independent Parties
National, Provincial, and Municipal Authorities
What is a court's authority to hear certain cases called?
Jurisdiction
Legislation
Arbitration
Litigation
What is a court where a case starts and evidence is presented called?
Trial Court
Appellate Court
Supreme Court
Family Court
What is a court that reviews decisions made by lower courts called?
Appellate Court
Trial Court
District Court
Magistrate Court
What is the highest court in a state's judicial system called?
State Supreme Court
State District Court
State Appeals Court
State Circuit Court
What is a trial-level court that hears serious criminal and civil cases called?
Superior Court
Small Claims Court
Traffic Court
Juvenile Court
What is a lower trial court that hears minor cases and civil matters called?
District Court
Supreme Court
Appellate Court
High Court
Fill in the blank: ________ is legal membership in a country with rights and responsibilities.
Citizenship
Immigration
Residency
Visa
Fill in the blank: ________ is the legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen.
Naturalization
Deportation
Extradition
Emigration
Fill in the blank: ________ is a person who is a U.S. citizen by birth.
Native-born Citizen
Naturalized Citizen
Permanent Resident
Non-immigrant Alien
Fill in the blank: ________ is a population count taken every 10 years to determine representation and funding.
Census
Survey
Referendum
Audit
Fill in the blank: ________ means taking part in activities like voting, volunteering, or attending meetings.
Civic Participation
Personal Finance
Physical Education
Art Appreciation
Fill in the blank: ________ are voluntary actions like voting or staying informed.
Responsibilities of Citizens
Laws of the Land
Rights of Citizens
Duties of the Government
Fill in the blank: ________ are required actions like paying taxes or serving on a jury.
Duties of Citizens
Rights of Citizens
Privileges of Citizens
Freedoms of Citizens
Fill in the blank: ________ are steps taken by individuals or groups to solve community or political problems.
Civic Action
Personal Gain
Financial Planning
Leisure Activities
Fill in the blank: ________ means making decisions or taking actions based on facts and research.
Informed Action
Random Guess
Emotional Response
Unplanned Move
Fill in the blank: ________ is a political system where two main parties dominate elections (Democrats & Republicans).
Two-Party System
Monarchy
One-Party System
Multi-Party System
Fill in the blank: ________ is how people develop their political beliefs and values.
Political Socialization
Economic Policy
Judicial Review
Federalism
Fill in the blank: ________ is a person’s beliefs and alignment with political parties or ideologies.
Political Identity
Economic Status
Cultural Heritage
Geographical Location
Fill in the blank: ________ are the tools of mass communication (TV, internet, newspapers) that inform the public.
Media
Furniture
Vehicles
Plants
Fill in the blank: ________ is the right of journalists to publish news without government control.
Free Press
Censorship
Martial Law
Propaganda
What is the term for the following definition? A system where people have power through voting and participation.
Democracy
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Oligarchy
What is the term for the following definition? A government where people elect leaders to represent them.
Republic
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Oligarchy
What is the term for the following definition? Different forms such as monarchy, dictatorship, democracy, or authoritarian rule.
Types of Government
Branches of Science
Economic Systems
Forms of Currency
What is the term for the following definition? Groups with shared interests or goals, often within politics.
Factions
Constitutions
Bureaucracies
Elections
What is the term for the following definition? Organizations that try to gain political power through elections.
Political Parties
Interest Groups
Non-Governmental Organizations
Trade Unions
What is the term for the following definition? The process by which citizens choose leaders or vote on laws.
Elections
Taxation
Legislation
Census
What is the term for the following definition? Steps like registering to vote, campaigning, and casting ballots.
Election Process
Judicial Review
Legislative Session
Impeachment Proceedings
What is the term for the following definition? The rules and money involved in funding political campaigns.
Campaign Finance
Electoral College
Gerrymandering
Lobbying
What is the term for the following definition? Political groups that raise unlimited money to support candidates indirectly.
SuperPACs
Lobbyists
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Grassroots Organizations
What is the term for the following definition? Government plans and actions to solve public problems.
Public Policy
Judicial Review
Civil Rights
Federalism
What is the term for the following definition? Laws passed by a government body.
Legislation
Jurisdiction
Ordinance
Regulation
What is the term for the following definition? National laws and programs created by the federal government.
Federal Policy
State Law
Local Ordinance
International Treaty
What is the term for the following definition? Laws and programs created by state governments.
State Policy
Federal Law
Municipal Code
International Treaty
What is the term for the following definition? How government puts laws and policies into action.
Policy Implementation
Judicial Review
Legislative Debate
Budget Allocation
Fill in the blank: __________ means treating all people the same under the law.
Equality
Liberty
Fraternity
Justice
Fill in the blank: __________ is a guarantee that everyone is treated equally by the government (14th Amendment).
Equal Protection
Due Process
Judicial Review
Habeas Corpus
Fill in the blank: __________ is fairness in law, rights, and treatment.
Justice
Power
Wealth
Privilege
Fill in the blank: __________ are rights that protect people from discrimination.
Civil Rights
Property Rights
Economic Rights
Voting Rights
Fill in the blank: __________ are freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution (e.g., speech, religion).
Civil Liberties
Economic Rights
Political Parties
State Laws
Fill in the blank: __________ is unfair treatment based on race, gender, age, or other traits.
Discrimination
Celebration
Cooperation
Motivation
Fill in the blank: __________ is pushing a group to the edge of society where they have less power.
Marginalization
Empowerment
Integration
Assimilation
Fill in the blank: __________ means ensuring all people can use the legal system fairly.
Access to Justice
Rule of Law
Due Process
Judicial Review
Fill in the blank: __________ are freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
First Amendment Rights
Fourth Amendment Rights
Civil War Amendments
States' Rights
Fill in the blank: __________ is the right to keep and bear arms.
Second Amendment Rights
First Amendment Rights
Fifth Amendment Rights
Fourth Amendment Rights
Fill in the blank: __________ is the death penalty as a punishment for a crime.
Capital Punishment
Community Service
Probation
Parole
Fill in the blank: __________ is ending the separation of races in public places.
Desegregation
Segregation
Integration
Discrimination
Fill in the blank: __________ means ensuring all students have fair opportunities to succeed.
Equity in Education
Standardized Testing
Classroom Management
Homework Policies
Fill in the blank: __________ are legal protections that ensure the right to vote.
Voting Rights
Property Rights
Copyrights
Gun Rights
Fill in the blank: __________ are laws requiring people to show ID when voting.
Voter ID Laws
Tax Laws
Immigration Laws
Traffic Laws
