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Worksheets

25-26 Midterm

Total questions: 63

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is popular sovereignty?

a)

the idea that government power is derived from military strength

b)

the concept that laws are created without public input

c)

the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of the governed

d)

the belief that citizens should have no role in governance

2.

How does the concept of popular sovereignty connect with a ruler's power?

a)

a ruler's power comes from divine right and tradition

b)

a ruler's power is absolute and does not require consent

c)

a ruler's power is derived from military strength and fear

d)

a ruler's power comes from the people he/she rules

3.

Describe the concept of the "social contract".

a)
The social contract is a theory about economic transactions.
b)

The social contract is an agreement where people agree to give up certain rights in exchange for certain protections & benefits from the government.

c)
The social contract is a legal document defining property rights.
d)
The social contract is a historical agreement between nations.
4.

Match the following systems of government to its diagram.

Categorize the following

unitary

federal

confederate

Diagram A
Diagram B
Diagram C
5.

What is a unitary system of government?

a)

A unitary system of government is where the states have most of the power & the central/national government is weak.

b)
A unitary system of government allows multiple governing bodies to share power.
c)

A unitary system of government is known for giving regions their own freedom and independence.

d)

A unitary system of government is is where the central/national government has the power, & any power that the smaller governments have comes from the central/national government.

6.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The Articles of Confederation were the 1st constitution of the US, creating a loose alliance of individual states.

b)
  • The Articles of Confederation acted as treaties made between nations.

c)

The Articles of Confederation created a strong central government with a lot of power.

d)
The Articles of Confederation were a series of amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
7.

Take a look at the picture. Which option BEST explains where the horses are trying to lead the cart?

a)

a country with a greater respect for individual rights & freedoms

b)

a better relationship between the colonies and their king

c)

A successful start to the revolution against British rule

d)

A stronger government for the former colonies

8.

Why was the national government unable to enforce laws on the individual states under the Articles of Confederation?

a)
The national government could impose taxes on states.
b)
States had the authority to override national laws.
c)
The national government had no power to enforce laws on individual states.
d)
The national government had a strong military presence in states.
9.

What was the result of the Constitutional Convention?

a)

the establishment of a new monarchy

b)

the creation of the Bill of Rights

c)

the signing of the Declaration of Independence

d)

the writing of the United States Constitution

10.

What weakness of the Articles of Confederation was shown by both the Philadelphia Mutiny & Shays' Rebellion?

a)

the federal government's excessive taxation and regulation

b)

the lack of a strong executive branch to enforce laws (including repaying debts)

c)
  • the Articles of Confederation gave the president too much control over the military

d)

the ability of states to ignore federal mandates and treaties

11.

What is the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

The Supremacy Clause says that the Constitution & federal laws are more important than state laws.

b)
The Supremacy Clause allows states to override federal laws.
c)

The Supremacy Clause declares that state laws are above federal laws.

d)

According to the Supremacy Clause, the federal government’s power is limited.

12.

Match the following forms of government to their correct definition.

a)

a single person has unlimited political power

1.

autocracy

b)

a type of government where the people hold the power

2.

democracy

c)

a small elite group holds power

3.

oligarchy

d)

a government where religious leaders control the government, & government rules follow religious laws

4.

theocracy

13.

Look at the image. What TWO parts of the Virginia Plan do you see currently in the U.S. Congress?

a)

equal voting rights

b)

population-based representation

c)

bicameral legislature

d)

federal government/law has more power than state governments/laws

14.

What does enumeration mean when it comes to government?

a)
Enumeration refers to the process of creating laws for a government.
b)
Enumeration is the method of electing representatives in a democracy.
c)

Enumeration deals with dividing resources among different parts of the government.

d)

Enumeration means counting or listing of individuals in a population for government purposes.

15.
  • Sort these phrases based on whether they describe a Federalist or an Anti-Federalist.

Categorize the following

people who supported the Constitution

thought the Articles of Confederation were too weak

supported dividing powers among 3 branches of government

wanted a strong central government to keep order & unite states

one person to be head of the executive branch

did not think a Bill of Rights was needed since states already protected individual rights

opposed the Constitution because they felt it gave the national government too much power

wanted important political powers to stay with the states

felt legislative branch should have the most power

very supportive of a Bill of Rights

Federalist
Anti-Federalist
16.

What addition to the U.S. Constitution protected people's rights, alleviating [taking care of] a major concern of the Anti-Federalists?

a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
The Constitution's Preamble
c)
The Federalist Papers
d)
The Emancipation Proclamation
17.

Which of the following are powers given to Congress specifically by the U.S. Constitution?

a)

creating federal courts

b)

capturing pirates

c)

giving money to the states

d)

issuing patents for inventions

18.

Study the diagram. Which part of the bill-making process only happens in the House of Representatives?

a)
Floor Debate
b)

House Rules Committee

c)
Senate Committee
d)
Conference Committee
19.

What is an executive order?

a)

an official issued by the President of the United States that can have the force of law

b)

a law passed by Congress and signed by the President

c)

a decision made by the Supreme Court

d)

a regulation created by a state governor

20.

How are executive orders used to influence government policy?

a)
They allow Congress to override existing laws without a vote.
b)
Executive orders can only be issued during a national emergency.
c)
Executive orders are used to create new laws that require Senate approval.
d)
Executive orders influence government policy by allowing the President to direct federal agencies and implement laws without needing congressional approval.
21.

This refers to the first court to hear and give a verdict on a case.

a)

original jurisdiction

b)

subject matter jurisdiction

c)

exclusive jurisdiction

d)

a federal court’s power to hear cases that involve the US Constitution, government, or federal laws,

22.

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in what types of cases?

a)

cases involving federal laws

b)

cases involving a foreign diplomat

c)

cases involving state laws

d)

appeals cases from lower courts

23.

What term means that the government divides its power at each level between three branches, so that no person or group is too powerful?

a)

separation of powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

federalism

d)

consent of the governed

24.

Which phrase BEST completes the diagram?

25.

What is a representative democracy?

a)

a system where leaders are chosen by hereditary succession

b)

a system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

c)

a form of governance where decisions are made by a single ruler

d)

a government where citizens vote directly on all issues

26.

What cause the Supreme Court case of U.S. v. Nixon?

a)

Nixon refused to follow a law about taxes.

b)

Nixon refused to turn over tapes of secret recordings.

c)

Nixon tried to declare war without Congress.

d)

Nixon vetoed a bill passed by Congress.

27.

What was the Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Nixon?

a)

The Supreme Court said that President Nixon must release the tapes because no one is above the law.

b)
The Supreme Court found that Nixon had no obligation to cooperate with the investigation.
c)
The Supreme Court ruled that Nixon could withhold the tapes from Congress.
d)
The Supreme Court decided that Nixon's actions were justified under executive privilege.
28.

What was the effect of the Supreme Court's decision in U.S. v. Nixon?

a)
The decision limited the President's power to veto legislation.
b)
The ruling established that executive privilege is absolute.
c)
The court ruled that Congress has no authority over the President.
d)

The decision limited what the president could say was covered by executive privilege.

29.

What was the decision of the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

a)

The Black Codes were unconstitutional.

b)

The 15th Amendment failed to guarantee the right to vote to all males.

c)

The citizenship principle established in Dred Scott v. Stanford was repealed.

d)

Segregation is legal as long as equal public facilities are provided.

30.

What effect did Plessy v. Ferguson have on civil rights?

a)
It promoted equal rights for all races, advancing civil liberties.
b)
It established a framework for racial equality in public services.
c)
It encouraged integration and cooperation among different races.
d)

It legitimized racial segregation and discrimination, slowing civil rights progress.

31.

Correctly match the constitutional clause with its description.

​ (a)   ​ Constitution & all federal laws are the most powerful laws​
​ (b)   Congress can regulate trade with other countries & between the states

Choose from the below words
Supremacy Clause
Commerce Clause
32.

What was the main issue in the Supreme Court case of Gibbons v. Ogden?

a)

federal vs. state authority in regulating commerce

b)

women's suffrage

c)

taxation without representation

d)

the legality of slavery

33.

What did the Supreme Court's decision in Gibbons v. Ogden emphasize?

a)

the importance of state laws

b)

individual liberties

c)

state's rights

d)

only the federal government can regulate interstate commerce

34.

The ability to run state governments without federal intervention is known as...

a)

commissioner

b)

superintendent

c)

home rule charter

d)

assessor

35.

What is a police jury?

a)

A police jury is a local government body, unique to Louisiana, that acts as both the legislative & executive branch of parish government.

b)
A police jury is a community service organization for youth programs.
c)
A police jury is a type of criminal court in Louisiana.
d)
A police jury is a federal law enforcement agency in the U.S.
36.

Use the image to help you complete the following sentence:
The (1)_____ Department was on of the first 2 Cabinet departments created in 1789; its main responsibility is to (2)___________________.

Categorize the following

State (1)

oversee foreign policy & diplomacy (2)

Treasury (1)

Justice (1)

create new income streams for the U.S. (2)

ensure that all U.S. citizens pay their taxes in a timely manner (2)

Blank 1
Blank 2
37.

What is the 19th Amendment?

a)

It gave women the right to vote.

b)

It gave Native Americans the right to vote.

c)

It gave immigrants the right to vote.

d)

It gave African Americans the right to vote.

38.

This law was passed to ensure the quality of food and medication prior to ingesting; it was created in response to revelations about health & sanitary issues going on in the meatpacking industry.

a)

The Meat and Drug Act

b)

The Pure Food and Drug Act

c)

Government Regulations Act

d)

Mann-Elkins Act

39.

​ (a)   - not getting involved in the affairs of other countries

​ (b)   - when a country actively involves itself in the affairs of other countries

Choose from the below words
interventionism
isolationism
globalism
expansionism
interdependence
40.

Read the quote. What foreign policy basis do you think George Washington supported?

a)

interventionism

b)

isolationism

41.

Look at the picture. What do you think the children in the picture are representing?

a)

different Central American countries

b)

poor people begging for food

c)

workers for Uncle Sam

d)

children looking to be adopted by American families

42.

What did the Monroe Doctrine declare?

a)

no new European colonies in the Americas

b)

free trade with Europe

c)

alliance with Spain

d)

expansion of U.S. territories

43.

What was the purpose of the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

to promote European colonization

b)

to prevent European interference

c)

to establish trade routes

d)

to form military alliances

44.

What did the United States promise in the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

to help Spain regain its colonies

b)

to stay out of European business

c)

to colonize South America

d)

to form a European alliance

45.
Teddy Roosevelt's policy was to "Speak softly and carry a big stick," what did he mean by this when dealing with foreign countries.
a)

Debate calmly, and always be willing to negotiate.

b)

Speak quietly, but yell if necessary.

c)

Negotiate peacefully, but always have the threat of the military to back you up.

d)
Never back down when there is conflict.
46.

Which of the following is NOT a goal of the Affordable Care Act?

a)

expand access to health insurance

b)

protect patients

c)

lower healthcare costs

d)

increase insurance company profits

47.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is an example of the federal government doing what?

a)

reducing its role in healthcare

b)

expanding its involvement in an existing government policy

c)

eliminating all healthcare programs

d)

privatizing all hospitals

48.

What is the goal of the Social Security Act/program?

a)

to provide financial assistance and income security for the elderly, disabled, and survivors

b)

to provide healthcare services for all citizens.

c)

to fund public education and youth programs

d)

to support job training and employment initiatives

49.

What policy area does social security fall under?

a)

healthcare

b)

economic

c)

labor

d)

social welfare

50.

Look at the cartoon and quoted act. The cartoon illustrates a situation that Congress aimed to resolve by passing the quoted law. The law itself was the _____.

a)

Judicial Act of 1789

b)
Federal Trade Commission Act
c)
Sherman Antitrust Act
d)
Robinson-Patman Act
51.

What was the main purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act?

a)

to encourage businesses to form large monopolies

b)

to make attempts to create monopolies illegal

c)

to eliminate all taxes on businesses

d)

to control prices of all goods sold in the U.S.

52.

Complete the following sentence:
_____ is how the government uses taxation & spending to influence economic activity & achieve specific economic goals.

a)
Fiscal policy
b)
Regulatory policy
c)
Trade policy
d)
Monetary policy
53.

What is discretionary government spending?

a)
Discretionary government spending is fixed and cannot be changed by Congress.
b)

Discretionary government spending is when Congress gets to choose how much to spend on which programs or services each year.

c)
Discretionary government spending refers to mandatory expenses like Social Security.
d)
Discretionary government spending is the total budget allocated for federal taxes.
54.

What is mandatory government spending?

a)

Mandatory government spending is spending on certain programs that is required by law.

b)
Mandatory government spending is optional and can be adjusted annually.
c)
Mandatory government spending includes discretionary programs like education.
d)
Mandatory government spending is only for military and defense purposes.
55.

How do payroll & income taxes relate to mandatory & discretionary spending?

a)
Income taxes are used exclusively for local projects.
b)

Payroll and income taxes are optional payments that citizens can choose to make.

c)

Payroll and income taxes fund mandatory & discretionary spending.

d)

Payroll and income taxes have nothing to do with government spending.

56.

A tariff is...

a)

a fee for shipping goods domestically

b)

a subsidy for local businesses

c)

a regulation on product quality standards

d)

a tax on imported goods

57.

Which of the following statements BEST describes the general effect of tariffs?

a)

Tariffs generally make imported goods more expensive, which ends up increasing consumers' cost.

b)

Tariffs always lower prices for consumers & make foreign goods cheaper.

c)

Tariffs have no impact on trade between countries.

d)

Tariffs only affect luxury items & do not influence the overall economy.

58.

According to the graph, what do the Roosevelt Corollary period (1904) & the Truman Doctrine period (1947) have in common regarding U.S. intervention?

a)

Both show the lowest level of U.S. interventions.

b)

Both show no U.S. interventions.

c)

Both show the highest level of U.S. interventions between 1776 & 2017.

d)

Both show a complete end to U.S. interventions.

59.

According to the graph and using your previous knowledge, why do you think U.S. military interventions increased after 1945?

a)

WW2 was still going on, & the U.S. fought in many places.

b)

During the Cold War, the U.S. often helped other countries fight instead of sending large numbers of American troops.

c)

U.S. & Soviet soldiers fought each other directly in several wars.

d)

The U.S. focused most of its military efforts on sub-Saharan Africa.

60.

What was the purpose of the League of Nations?

a)

to prevent another world war from happening

b)

promote world peace

c)

avoid a repetition ofWW1

d)

all of the above

61.

True or False: The U.S. was never a member of the League of Nations.

a)

True

b)

False

62.

The _____ was a series of programs & policies created by FDR to help the U.S. start to recover from the Great Depression.

a)
Social Security Plan
b)
New Deal
c)
Economic Recovery Act
d)
Green Initiative
63.

Did the United Nations replace the League of Nations after the League broke apart?

a)

Yes

b)

No