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U.S. Government and Citizenship Quiz

Total questions: 73

Worksheet time: 1hrs 1mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Trace the impact that the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights and Thomas Paine’s Common Sense had on colonists’ views of government.

4 lines
2.

Trace the principles underlying America’s founding ideas on law and government.

4 lines
3.

Define the rule of law and recognize its influence on the development of legal, political, and governmental systems in the United States.

4 lines
4.

Differentiate between obligations and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and evaluate their impact on society.

4 lines
5.

Analyze the advantages of the United States’ constitutional republic over other forms of government in safeguarding liberty, freedom and a representative government.

4 lines
6.

"We the People" means the power of the government comes from -

a)

Congress

b)

the People

c)

the President

7.

Match these key ideas found in the Constitution to their descriptions.


The courts review laws to make sure they obey the Constitution

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Federalism

e)

Checks and Balances

8.

Which fundamental political principle is exemplified in the quotation below?


"...The right of the people to feel secure (safe) in their houses against unreasonable search and seizures may not be violated ( by the government)..."

a)

consent of the government

b)

rule of law

c)

limited government

d)

representative government

9.

Which principle of government limits the actions of the government by listing the specific powers it does and does not have?

a)

Popular sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Limited government

d)

Separation of powers

10.

The Preamble sets up the purpose of government, including to "insure domestic tranquility," which means..

a)

make sure things are peaceful in our country

b)

provide for our needs

c)

control the people & keep them in line

d)

protect us from invasion by a foreign country

11.

What Clause was used to defend the Union

a)

10th

b)

9th

c)

Elastic

d)

Stretch

12.
A belief that government should be based on the consent of the people; people exercise their power by voting for political representation
a)
republicanism
b)
checks and balances
c)
sectionalism
d)
social impact
13.

Which of the following describes the democratic ideal of popular sovereignty?

a)

The idea that citizens have rights that should be protected by the government

b)

The idea that the people are the source of the government's power

c)

The idea that the government should be divided into 3 branches

d)

The idea that citizens should vote for their elected officials

14.

With which of the following statements would a framer of the U.S. Constitution disagree?

a)

Government works best when it is founded upon the consent of the people

b)

Government should respect all basic human rights

c)

Government should allow people to follow any religion they choose

d)

government works best when it gives unlimited rights and freedoms to its people

15.

Which constitutional principle is identified with the concept of "consent of the governed?"

a)

rule of law

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

checks and balances

d)

separation of powers

16.

What are limited government, federalism, separation of power into three branches of government, checks and balances, and individual rights?

a)
Types of economic systems
b)
Historical events in Europe
c)

Articles of the Constitution

d)

Principles of the Constitution

17.

Which of the following best describes the concept of popular sovereignty?

a)

The government has the right to govern because it is elected by the people.

b)

The government divides power equally among three branches.

c)

The government must provide for the welfare of its citizens.

d)

The government can only exercise the powers specifically given to it by the Constitution.

18.
Which words establishes that the power of the government comes from its citizens?
a)
establish justice
b)
provide for the common defense
c)
secure the blessings of liberty
d)
We the People
19.

Match these key ideas found in the Constitution to their descriptions.


Division of power between the three branches

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Popular Sovereignty

c)

Federalism

d)

Checks and Balances

e)

Judicial Review

20.

The concept of "Popular Sovereignty" means that..

a)

the gov't has the power and control

b)

the gov't must bow to the wishes of the people

c)

the people have the power to select the gov't

d)

the people can't be told what to do

21.

Madison argued that ___________________ would control the mischiefs of factions in Federalist No. 10

a)

Federalism in a large Republic

b)

Introduction of a Bill of Rights to ease tensions over civil rights

c)

Decentralized government

d)

purely elitist models of democracy

22.

What principle is at work when state laws that conflict with federal laws are deemed invalid?

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Supremacy Clause

d)

Separation of Powers

23.

The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Which Constitutional principle does this demonstrate?

a)

checks and balances

b)

federalism

c)

rule of law

d)

separation of powers

24.
Popular sovereignty, a principle set forth in the Constitution, means that
a)
people are the source of the government’s power.
b)
people elect their political representatives.
c)
power is divided between national and state governments.
d)
each branch of government has its own responsibilities.
25.

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional is called:

a)

Federalism

b)

Judicial Activism

c)

Judicial Review

d)

Checks and Balances

26.

What principle of the Constitution gives the 3 branches distinct (different) roles? (SS8CG1)

a)

checks & balances

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Federalism

d)

Democracy

27.
idea that the government can only do what the people allow it to do
a)
limited government
b)
bicameral
c)
confederation
d)
Article
28.

The Constitutional principle of JUDICIAL REVIEW is demonstrated by...

a)

The Supreme Court denying Congress the ability to make laws

b)

The Supreme Court forcing changes to certain laws they feel offensive

c)

A gov't action being challenged in Federal court & the court determining if that action is constitutional

d)

A gov't action being stopped by a Federal judge on the basis of his hurt feelings

29.

Which amendment guarantees the freedom of speech?

a)

First Amendment

b)

Second Amendment

c)

Tenth Amendment

d)

Fourteenth Amendment

30.

The concept of popular sovereignty in the Preamble is established by the words

a)

In God We Trust

b)

We the people

c)

Four score and seven years ago

d)

Liberty and justice for all

31.

The concept of "Separation of Powers" refers to..

a)

dividing the gov't into multiple branches so no one has total control

b)

separating power within Congress

c)

dividing the country up into separate states

d)

dividing the judicial branch into various court systems

32.

What is the Majority Rule?

a)

Cancel an amendment.

b)

The principle that in a disagreement we accept the choice of the majority.

c)

Powers that both Federal and State Government share, such as raising money through taxes.

d)

Equal distribution of powers, allowing branches to check the other 2 branches.

33.

What does the principle of federalism imply about the structure of government?

a)

Power is divided between a central government and regional governments.

b)

All power is concentrated in the national government.

c)

The states have the power to nullify federal laws.

d)

The national government has no real power over the states.

34.

Which principle is directly reflected by the establishment of the three branches of government?

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Federalism

d)

Judicial Review

35.

The U.S. Constitution begins with the words "We the people" this established the idea that?

a)

The people have given over all rights to the government.

b)

The people are the source of the government's power.

c)

The people will not have any role in the government.

d)

The people will make all the decisions for the government.

36.

The concept that each branch of government has its own responsibilities and limitations is known as:

a)

Federalism

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Judicial Review

37.

Which excerpt from the U.S. Constitution best illustrates the principle of popular sovereignty?

a)

"Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members..."

b)

"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States..."

c)

"The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore..."

d)

"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof."

38.

Sets out laws & and principal of government.

a)

Constitution

b)

Legislative Branch

c)

Executive Branch

d)

Judicial Branch

39.

Which Supreme Court case established the idea of judicial review?

a)

Brown vs. Board of Education

b)

TLO vs. New Jersey

c)

Marbury vs. Madison

d)

Tinker vs. Des Moines

40.

The framers of the Constitution intended to establish:

a)

a representative republic

b)

a direct democracy

c)

an authoritarian state

d)

a socialist democracy

e)

a parliamentary republic

41.
Based on this passage, which constitutional principle does Madison describe? 
a)
Checks and Balances 
b)
 Popular Sovereignty
c)
Seperation of powers 
d)
 Judicial Review
42.

8.15(D) Which government principle is illustrated in the diagram?

a)

Federalism

b)

Popular Sovereignty

c)

Republicanism

d)

Separation of Powers

43.

Which constitutional principle does the following picture represent?

a)

checks and balances

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

limited government

d)

federalism

44.

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Limited Government

45.

Which constitutional principle created the three branches of government?

a)
Checks and Balances
b)
Popular sovereignty
c)
Separation of Powers
d)
Federalism
46.
In the Preamble, what does it mean when it says, "We the people..."?
a)
The constitution was written for all the people of the United States.
b)
The constitution was only written for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention.
c)
Referring to "the people" who authored the constitution.
d)
The people of Massachusetts.
47.
According to the Preamble, where does the authority of the federal government come from? 
a)
Electoral College
b)
the states
c)
the people
d)
the President
48.

what is the responsibility of a us citizen?

a)

Serve in a Jury When Called Upon

b)

defend the constitution

c)

respect the beliefs, and rights of others.

d)

Vote in elections

49.

The study of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship is called

a)

politics

b)

economics

c)

civics

d)

sociology

50.
Carlos was naturalized in 2009. This means that he —
a)
was born in the United States
b)
was denied the right to vote
c)
was granted the rights of United States citizenship
d)
was asked to leave the United States
51.
What is one benefit that citizens of the United States have that non-citizens do not?
a)
Travel
b)
Vote for the candidate of your choice
c)
Health care
d)
Right to work in the United States
52.

In order for a United States citizen to receive a fair trial, other citizens must-

a)

evaluate judges

b)

vote in elections

c)

pay poll taxes

d)

serve on juries

53.

A resident of Georgia receives a notice that they will be serving on a jury. This is an example of a citizen's...

a)

civil right

b)

Sixth Amendment right

c)

civic responsibility

d)

First Amendment right

54.
As a result of the Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, a person accused of a crime is entitled to
a)
a speedy trial
b)
reasonable bail
c)
a reading of his or her rights at the time of arrest
d)
protection against cruel and unusual punishment
55.

What Amendment addresses citizenship

a)

1st Amendment

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

14th Amendment

d)

10th Amendment

56.

What document establishes the three branches of government?

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

Constitution

c)

Declaration of Independence

d)

Articles of Confederation

57.

(2016)Which political idea was influenced by this provision of the Magna Carta?

a)

Federalism

b)

Due process

c)

A bicameral legislature

d)

The social contract

58.
Declaration of Independence
a)
1787
b)
1776
c)
1777
d)
1797
59.

Which political idea was influenced by this provision of the Magna Carta?

a)

Federalism

b)

Due process

c)

A bicameral legislature

d)

The Social Contract

60.
What was one consequence of the type of taxes shown in the diagram?
a)
British manufacturers sold more goods in America.
b)
American Indians preferred to purchase British goods.
c)
Southern plantation owners sold more raw cotton in Britain than in the United States.
d)
Northern factory owners received some protection from British competition.
61.

What famous American document was written at the Second Continental Congress?

a)

The Bill of Rights

b)

The Declaration of Independence

c)

The U.S. Constitution

d)

The Articles of Confederation

e)

All of these documents were written at the Second Continental Congress.

62.

What document created the government we still have today?

a)

the Bill of Rights

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Constitution

d)

Declaration of Independence

63.

An example of government that is ruled by one person is...

a)

Democracy

b)

Constitutional Republic

c)

Dictatorship

64.

A form of government in which people elect representatives to rule in their name:

a)

tyranny

b)

monarchy

c)

republic

d)

oligarchy

65.
Which form of government gives the most power to ordinary citizens?
a)
autocracy
b)
oligarchy
c)
absolute monarchy
d)
representative democracy
66.

Based on the excerpt, it can be concluded that the United States has which of the following types of government?

a)

theocracy

b)

monarchy

c)

democracy

d)

dictatorship

67.
Country ran is run according to the interests of its ruler rather than its people is called a ____.
a)
Autocracy
b)
Anocracy
c)
Democracy
d)
Constitutional Monarchy
68.

A system of government in which all powers vest with one person.

a)

Democracy

b)

Monarchy

c)

Militia

d)

Dictatorship

69.

Which of the following best describes the government of the United States?

a)

a democracy

b)

a monarchy

c)

an oligarchy

d)

a democratic republic

70.
Which of the following describes a monarchy?
a)
The government is run by the people.
b)
A king or queen rules over the country.
c)
. One person has absolute power to rule the government, people, and economy.
d)
The citizens elect the government officials.
71.

Democracy is government

a)

by a President who has total power.

b)

by the people.

c)

by one ruler who inherits it from the family.

d)

by a small group, such as the military

72.
A form of government in which all people meet together to make laws and decide on action
a)
republic
b)
direct democracy
c)
monarchy
d)
theocracy
73.

Gov't where a small group of people have all the power and control.

a)

autocracy

b)

democracy

c)

anarchy

d)

oligarchy