WorksheetsAMERICAN GOVERNMENT: Principles of American Government
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
What is the form of government of the United States?
Republic
Citizens
Dictatorship
To declare wars
What is the supreme law of the land?
Bill of rights
U.S Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Federalist Papers
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Gives people free money
Declares wars
Forms the government
Destroys the government
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
Government
Self-government
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Congress Passing Laws
Amendments
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
The president
The basic rights of Americans
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27)
Twenty (20)
Thirty (30)
Twenty-five (25)
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It makes sure there is balance
It says all people are created equal.
It creates a dictatorship
It is congress
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Absolute power, Hereditary rule
Monarchy, Dictatorship
Censorship, Taxation without representation
Equality, Liberty
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Federalist Papers
What is the economic system of the United States?
Socialism, Command economy
Feudalism, Traditional economy
Mercantilism, Mixed economy
Capitalism, Free market economy
What is the rule of law?
Only citizens must obey the law.
Only leaders must follow the law.
No one is above the law.
Laws apply only during emergencies.
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
The Compromise of 1840
The Magna Carta
The English Bill of Rights
The Napoleonic Code
Declaration of Independence
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
To increase government spending
To allow for monarchy
To reduce citizen rights
To promote dictatorship
Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, executive, and presidential
Legislative, executive, and judicial
Legislative, executive, and financial
Legislative, executive, and people
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Judicial Branch
Legislative branch
Executive Branch
State branch
What part of the federal government writes laws?
Supreme Court
Executive branch
Legislative Branch
Department of Defense
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House (of Representatives)
Supreme Court and President
Cabinet and Senate
House (of Representatives) and Supreme Court
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Appoints Supreme Court justices
Writes Laws
Oversees state governments
Runs the military
How many U.S. senators are there?
200
50
100
20
How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
2 years
4 years
6 years
10 years
One of your state’s U.S. senators now is:
John Fetterman
Ted Cruz
Bernie Sanders
Marco Rubio
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
300
120
500
435
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two (2) years
Four (4) years
Six (6) years
One (1) year
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
To more closely follow public opinion
Because they have fewer responsibilities
To allow for more frequent elections
Because the Constitution requires it
How many senators does each state have?
Two (2)
Three (3)
Four (4)
One (1)
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states) or The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
To represent population size
To follow the British Parliament model
Because of presidential executive order
To ensure only large states have power
Name your U.S. representative.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Nancy Pelosi
Chuck Schumer
Gavin Newsom
The name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now is:
Mike Johnson
Nancy Pelosi
Kevin McCarthy
John Boehner
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
Citizens of their state or People of their state
Citizens of all states
The President
Members of Congress
Who elects U.S. senators?
Citizens from their state
The President
Members of Congress
State Governors
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens in their (congressional) district or People in their (congressional) district
Citizens of the entire country
Citizens of their state
Citizens of their city
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their (congressional) district
The President
Members of the Senate
State Governors
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Because of the state’s population or Because they have more people
Because of the state’s size
Because of the state’s location
Because of the state’s age
Because of the state’s climate
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
Four (4) years
Two (2) years
Six (6) years
Eight (8) years
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
Because of the 22nd Amendment or To keep the president from becoming too powerful
Because of the 25th Amendment
Because of a tradition started by Abraham Lincoln
Because Congress votes every two years
The name of the President of the United States now is:
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
Barack Obama
George W. Bush
The name of the Vice President of the United States now is:
Kamala Harris
Mike Pence
Joe Biden
Nancy Pelosi
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President (of the United States)
The Speaker of the House
The Secretary of State
The Chief Justice
Name one power of the president.
Signs bills into law OR Vetoes bills OR Enforces laws OR Commander in Chief (of the military) OR Chief diplomat OR Appoints federal judges
Declares war without Congress approval
Passes laws directly without Congress
Serves as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Controls state governments
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President (of the United States)
The Secretary of Defense
The Chief of Staff
The Vice President
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President (of the United States)
The Vice President
The Chief Justice
The Speaker of the House
Who vetoes bills?
The President (of the United States)
The Vice President
The Speaker of the House
The Chief Justice
Who appoints federal judges?
The President (of the United States)
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
The Speaker of the House
The Senate Majority Leader
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President (of the United States) OR Cabinet OR Federal departments and agencies
Supreme Court
Senate
House of Representatives
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President (of the United States)
Passes laws in Congress
Elects the President
Manages the Supreme Court
What are two Cabinet-level positions? (Choose any two from the following list)
Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Chief Justice and Speaker of the House.
Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
Ambassador and Governor.
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president. It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
It determines the number of senators each state has.
It sets the rules for voting in federal elections.
It chooses the members of the Supreme Court.
What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court or Federal Courts.
The President's Cabinet.
The House of Representatives.
The Department of Defense.
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws, Explains laws, Resolves disputes about the law, Decides if a law goes against the (U.S.) Constitution.
Makes treaties with other countries.
Signs bills into law.
Commands the military.
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
District Court
Court of Appeals
Magistrate Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
Seven (7)
Eleven (11)
Thirteen (13)
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Five (5)
Three (3)
Seven (7)
Nine (9)
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
(For) life; Lifetime appointment; (Until) retirement
10 years
4 years
Until age 65
Until age 70
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent (of politics); To limit outside (political) influence
To ensure they retire early
To allow them to make laws
To give them more power over Congress
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Chief Justice of the United States.
John Roberts
Sonia Sotomayor
Elena Kagan
Clarence Thomas
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper money; Mint coins; Declare war; Create an army; Make treaties; Set foreign policy
Collect garbage in cities
Issue driver's licenses
Set up local schools
Maintain city parks
Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education; Provide protection (police); Provide safety (fire departments); Give a driver’s license; Approve zoning and land use
Declare war
Print money
Make treaties
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
It states that the powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
It guarantees freedom of speech and religion.
It abolishes slavery in the United States.
It establishes the right to bear arms.
The governor of your state now is:
Gavin Newsom
Ron DeSantis
Greg Abbott
Kathy Hochul
The capital of your state is:
New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
Only citizens who own property (can vote).
Only citizens born in the United States (can vote).
Only citizens who pay taxes (can vote).
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
Citizens of the United States
Permanent residents of the United States
Tourists visiting the United States
Foreign diplomats in the United States
What are three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of expression, Freedom of speech, Freedom of assembly
Freedom to own a business, Freedom to travel internationally, Freedom to vote in any country
Freedom from paying taxes, Freedom to drive without a license, Freedom to ignore laws
Freedom to choose any president, Freedom to create laws, Freedom to serve as a judge
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
The United Nations
The State Government
The President
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to other countries, Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
Vote in every election, Pay all taxes
Serve in the military, Run for public office
Learn English, Travel abroad frequently
How can people become United States citizens?
Be born in the United States, Naturalize, Derive citizenship
Win a lottery, Marry a celebrity, Buy property in the US
Travel to the US as a tourist, Open a US bank account, Get a US driver's license
Attend a US university, Watch American movies, Eat American food
Select two examples of civic participation in the United States.
Voting and volunteering
Shopping and traveling
Watching TV and playing video games
Eating at restaurants and going to the movies
One way Americans can serve their country is:
by voting in elections
by traveling abroad
by avoiding taxes
by ignoring civic duties
It is important to pay federal taxes because:
They fund government services and programs.
They are optional for citizens.
They only benefit politicians.
They are used solely for military spending.
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
To be eligible for federal student aid and government jobs
To avoid paying extra taxes
To receive free healthcare
To get a driver's license
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom
To escape from good weather
To find gold mines
To join the British army
To become kings
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians (other acceptable answer: Native Americans)
Vikings
Africans
Asians
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans
Europeans
Asians
Native Americans
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution (other acceptable answers: The (American) Revolutionary War, War for (American) Independence)
World War I
Civil War
Vietnam War
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes
Desire to join France
Interest in British monarchy
To avoid cold weather
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
(George) Washington
(Benjamin) Franklin
(John) Adams
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
June 14, 1777
September 17, 1787
December 15, 1791
80. The American Revolution had many important events. One of them was:
The signing of the Declaration of Independence
The Louisiana Purchase
The Civil War
The Emancipation Proclamation
81. There were 13 original states. Select the option that lists five of them.
New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia, Pennsylvania
California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Illinois
Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Utah
Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Colorado, Kentucky
What founding document was written in 1787?
(U.S.) Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
The Federalist Papers were important because:
they explained and defended the proposed Constitution.
they declared independence from Britain.
they established the Bill of Rights.
they ended the Revolutionary War.
85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
He helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
He was the first President of the United States.
He invented the telephone.
He discovered America.
George Washington is famous for many things. Select one thing he is famous for.
Being the first President of the United States
Inventing the telephone
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Discovering electricity
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Select one thing he is famous for.
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Inventing the telephone
Leading the Civil War
Discovering electricity
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
He is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'.
He was the first President of the United States.
He wrote the Declaration of Independence.
He led the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Select one thing he is known for.
He was the first Secretary of the Treasury.
He was a U.S. President.
He wrote the Declaration of Independence.
He discovered electricity.
The United States bought which territory from France in 1803?
Louisiana Territory
Alaska
Florida
Texas
One war fought by the United States in the 1800s was:
World War II
Mexican-American War
Vietnam War
Gulf War
The U.S. war between the North and the South was called:
The Civil War
The Revolutionary War
The Vietnam War
The War of 1812
The Civil War had many important events. Select one.
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Boston Tea Party
The Louisiana Purchase
The Moon Landing
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. One of them is:
Signing the Emancipation Proclamation
Inventing the telephone
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Leading the Confederate Army
The Emancipation Proclamation did which of the following?
Freed slaves in the Confederate states
Declared independence from Britain
Ended World War I
Established the Bill of Rights
The U.S. war that ended slavery was:
The Civil War
The Revolutionary War
The War of 1812
The Mexican-American War
The amendment that says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens is:
13th Amendment
14th Amendment
15th Amendment
12th Amendment
All men got the right to vote in which year?
1870
1920
1865
1965
One leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s was:
Susan B. Anthony
Harriet Tubman
Clara Barton
Jane Addams
Name two wars fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I
World War II
Lala War
Mexican War
Texas War
