WorksheetsUS Government Fall, 2025
Total questions: 56
Worksheet time: 28mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
What is the meaning of social contract?
a)
A contract within the government to balance out power
b)
An agreement between people to create a government
c)
A document that defines the rights of citizens
d)
A description of man in a state of nature being greedy and selfish
2.
“‘[I]n a state of nature,’ writes James Madison in The Federalist 51, ‘the weaker individual is not secured against the violence of the stronger’... As Madison says, ‘If men were angels, no government would be necessary.’"
According to Madison, why is government necessary?
a)
Citizens need to be informed of their rights
b)
To protect the rights and property of citizens
c)
People have the right to create a government
d)
The government cannot take away natural rights
3.
How does John Locke define natural rights?
a)
Rights guaranteed to be protected by the government under any circumstances
b)
Freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition, speech
c)
Civil liberties that are protected for American citizens
d)
Unalienable rights that cannot be taken away by any government
4.
How did Thomas Hobbes’ and John Locke’s version of social contract differ?
a)
Hobbes recognized popular sovereignty, while Locke recognized the absolute power of a king
b)
Hobbes felt people had natural rights that the government could not take away, while Locke felt people should only have rights guaranteed by the government
c)
Hobbes believed people need a king to impose peace, while Locke believed citizens should put limits on the government’s power
d)
Hobbes argued for a direct democracy where all citizens were allowed to vote, while Locke argued for a representative democracy where only people who owned property were allowed to vote
5.
Which was not a grievance of the colonists?
a)
They believed the social contract allowed the king to collect taxes to support the crown
b)
They believed a Writs of Assistance were a violation of their natural rights
c)
They believed taxing their property without permission was a violation of their natural rights
d)
They believed they should be tried by a jury of their peers
6.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. “ Declaration of Independence
The quote above expresses which principle?
a)
Popular sovereignty
b)
Natural law
c)
Checks and balances in government
d)
Separation of powers
7.
In what ways are men considered equal?
a)
Equal under the law
b)
Equal in abilities
c)
Equal economically
d)
Equal productivity
8.
The Declaration of Independence states “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings.
For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?
a)
Popular sovereignty
b)
Natural law
c)
checks and balances in government
d)
Separation of powers
9.
The only way whereby anyone divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community, for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable living one amongst another, in a secure enjoyment of their properties, and a greater security against any that are not of it. - John Locke Second Treatise, §95
Based on the reading, Locke is arguing for:
a)
Government by consent of the governed
b)
A powerful dictator to repel invasion
c)
Checks and balances between the people and government
d)
A return to a state of nature
10.
Why did the Articles of Confederation ultimately fail? Check all that apply
a)
National Government could not tax
b)
Bicameral Legislation
c)
No Standing Army
d)
Too much power at the State level
e)
National Judicial Branch was too strong
11.
“Hence it is that such [pure] democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” - Federalist 10
“A republic, ...to refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium(filter) of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations.” - Federalist 51
Based on the excerpt, and your knowledge of government, why does Madison prefer a republic over a pure democracy?
a)
Pure democracies have shows to result in tyranny and mob rule
b)
The general will of the people is filtered by a wise group of citizens
c)
Pure democracies require informed voters to understand complex issues
d)
All of the above
12.
“Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires… But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.” - Madison Federalist 10
From the quote above, what can be assumed James Madison believed about factions?
a)
All factions are dangerous and should be discouraged.
b)
Factions are a natural result of freedom.
c)
Liberty should be given up to reduce the spread of factions.
d)
It is the job of government to control factions.
13.
The Federalists saw no need for a bill of rights because
a)
in their view, civil liberties were a matter for the states, not for the federal government.
b)
they were convinced that in a democratic republic, public opinion was a sufficient protection.
c)
no one bothered to even bring up the topic at the Convention.
d)
they believed the federal government had very limited power and could not violate rights.
14.
For what reason did the Anti-Federalists demand a Bill of Rights in the new Constitution?
a)
They feared the abuse of power by a strong central government
b)
They believed the Federalists would not recognize their opinions
c)
They wanted a strong central government to hold absolute power
d)
They distrusted the wealthy politically elite class
15.
The Bill of Rights guarantees
a)
A list of basic fundamental rights
b)
Women the right to vote
c)
African Americans the right to vote
d)
Popular election of US Senators
16.
What fundamental issue was at the center of the Great Compromise?
a)
Slavery
b)
Taxes
c)
Representation
d)
Natural rights
17.
Which of the following best describes the impact of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
a)
Southern states received more representation in the House of Representatives
b)
Southern states received more representation in the Senate
c)
It expanded the rights of African Americans
d)
It increased the political power of state governments in the South
18.
Which group produced Papers in support of Ratification?
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalist
c)
Democratic-Republicans
d)
Jeffersonian Republicans
19.
The legislative branch rights and responsibilities are found in which part of the constitution?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article V
20.
The executive branch rights and responsibilities are found in which part of the constitution?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article V
21.
The judicial branch rights and responsibilities are found in which part of the constitution?
a)
Article I
b)
Article II
c)
Article III
d)
Article V
22.
Which constitutional principles was outlined in the court case Marbury v. Madison?
a)
Separation of powers
b)
Checks and balances
c)
Limited government
d)
Judicial review
23.
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” - Federalist 51
Which constitutional principle is addressed by this quote?
a)
Federalism
b)
Popular sovereignty
c)
Checks and balances
d)
Limited government
24.
“This government is to possess absolute and uncontroulable power, legislative, executive and judicial, with respect to every object to which it extends, for by the last clause of section 8th, article 1st, it is declared "that the Congress shall have power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution, in the government of the United States; or in any department or office thereof." Brutus 1
Which constitutional principle does Brutus fear will be lost with the new constitution?
a)
Limited government
b)
Judicial review
c)
Checks and balances
d)
Federalism
25.
Which constitutional principle was included to prevent “the accumulation of all powers”?
a)
Separation of powers
b)
Federalism
c)
Checks and balances
d)
Limited government
26.
To make the Constitution flexible, the Framers included
a)
The amendment process
b)
A bi-cameral legislature
c)
The veto power
d)
A ratification process
27.
How is the amendment process an example of federalism?
a)
An amendment must pass through both the federal and state governments
b)
The President must approve a Congressional amendment
c)
The Supreme Court is responsible for interpreting the amendment
d)
The Founders did not want the general will of the people to be discussed in Congress
28.
The US government is correctly classified as
a)
Unitary, presidential and indirect democracy
b)
Federal, presidential, and republic
c)
Unitary, presidential, and a republic
d)
Federal, presidential, and a direct democracy
29.
Which type of government is most often seen in a communist system?
a)
Democracy
b)
Republic
c)
Dictatorship
d)
Socialism
30.
Which of the following is a common criticism of socialism?
a)
Higher taxes to provide programs
b)
Lack of motivation
c)
Lack of innovation
d)
All of the above
31.
Capitalism best matches with a democratic government because
a)
It allows for freedom to compete
b)
A mixed economy provides government services
c)
The government collects higher taxes on the wealthy
d)
It allows for less risk by individuals
32.
The Framers compromised between a strong central government and a respect for State governments by creating a system of
a)
constitutionalism
b)
separation of powers
c)
confederate government
d)
federalism
33.
Why is the concept of inherent powers considered controversial?
a)
The powers are not defined specifically
b)
The powers are only listed in state constitutions
c)
The powers are concurrent to taxes
d)
The powers can change with Congressional approval
34.
Which document is the basis for expressed powers?
a)
Magna Carta
b)
Declaration of Independence
c)
Articles of Confederation
d)
The Constitution
35.
Powers that are specifically granted to the federal government alone are known as
a)
Inherent powers
b)
Exclusive powers
c)
Implied powers
d)
Specific powers
36.
Implied powers can be defined as
a)
Powers specifically granted to the national government in the constitution
b)
Powers that are necessary to carry out the expressed powers, but not specifically listed in the constitution
c)
Powers that are exclusive to the national government
d)
Powers of the state governments that are implied and not listed in the constitution
37.
What is the function of the necessary and proper clause?
a)
It allows the national government to make any laws needed to carry out the enumerated powers
b)
It allows the national government to tax at a rate it deems necessary for the time
c)
It allows the president to take any military action necessary for national security purposes
d)
It allows the national government to overrule state laws whenever necessary
38.
Powers that are retained for the people and the states, which are not given to the national government are
a)
Supreme
b)
Concurrent
c)
Reserved
d)
Absolute
39.
What is an example of a concurrent power?
a)
The ability to regulate interstate commerce
b)
The ability to sign treaties with other countries
c)
The ability to make foreign policy
d)
The ability to tax
40.
In a system of dual federalism, the federal government is given specific powers and state governments are given their own specific powers. Throughout history, the differences between those two powers became less clear. What major event in history is best known for expanding the power of the federal government?
a)
The Great Depression and New Deal
b)
The Civil War
c)
The Great Compromise
d)
The Spanish American War
41.
The arguments against federal control over education can be BEST summarized with which statement?
a)
Education has traditionally been a state issue and the federal government is too large to understand local concerns
b)
The federal government cannot give the express power of education to state governments
c)
State governments do a better job of ensuring equal educational opportunities than the federal government could ever do
d)
Without the overhead of federal government, states can save money to put back into the educational system
42.
Which clause of the U.S. Constitution did the Supreme Court interpret as preventing Maryland from taxing the national bank in McCulloch v. Maryland?
a)
necessary and proper
b)
supremacy
c)
due process
d)
equal protection
43.
Which clause of the U.S. Constitution did the Supreme Court interpret in McCulloch v. Maryland as allowing Congress to create a national bank?
a)
necessary and proper
b)
supremacy
c)
due process
d)
equal protection
44.
Why was McCulloch v. Maryland a landmark federalism case?
a)
It gave the federal government power over the nation’s financial institutions.
b)
It ruled that taxation was an enumerated, rather than a concurrent power
c)
It reinforced the idea of national supremacy over the states
d)
It made the 10th Amendment the most important, giving the states power to deny federal government authority
45.
A major difference between political parties and interest groups is that
a)
Interest groups typically shift positions on issues over time while political parties tend to keep the same positions over time
b)
Interest groups usually recruit candidates for office while political parties usually limit themselves to making campaign contributions to candidates
c)
Political parties seek to gain control of government while interest groups seek to influence public policy
d)
Political parties tend to have narrow coalitions of support and interest groups tend to have broad coalitions of support
46.
Theodore Roosevelt was once a Republican but broke away to start his own minor party for the presidential election of 1912. His party was called the Bull Moose, or Progressive Party. The Bull Moose Party is what kind of party?
a)
A splinter party
b)
A single-issue party
c)
An ideological party
d)
An economic protest party
47.
Which pair best represents the ideological positions of the two major parties:
a)
Democrat - increase minimum wage/Republican - increase environmental regulations
b)
Democrat - oppose the death penalty/Republican - increase taxes for the middle class
c)
Democrat - support free college for all/Republican - oppose abortion
d)
Democrat - expand gun rights/Republican - support transgender issues
48.
According to the quote, the role of a lobbyist in the political process is to
a)
Divide the workload of Congressmen
b)
help members of Congress win elections
c)
represent a diverse group of interests
d)
push for policies to benefit the public as a whole
49.
Which of the following would have the greatest impact on an individual’s political socialization?
a)
The media report on a story about government corruption
b)
A pastor gives a sermon to explain the importance of charitable giving
c)
A father comments on political news while driving his daughter to school
d)
A friend complains about joblessness
50.
What was the Court’s opinion in the Citizens United case?
a)
The Court ruling has allowed unlimited financial contributions to political campaigns
b)
Tax-payer funding for campaigns will be given equally to both parties
c)
Campaign contributions are allowed only from the two-major political parties
d)
Political parties are upset that the Court has ruled campaign financing as illegal
51.
What is the most influential factor of peoples' political beliefs?
a)
Media
b)
School
c)
Families
d)
Peers
52.
What theory says the constitution should change over time according to cultural norms?
a)
Originalism
b)
Living constitution
c)
Partisanship
d)
Natural Rights
53.
What is the purpose of the census?
a)
Survey of public opinions
b)
Gerrymandering
c)
Entitlements and federal systems
d)
Reapportionment and redistricting
54.
What is the difference between primary elections and general elections?
a)
Primary elections are used only in Congressional elections while general elections are used only in Presidential elections
b)
Primary elections are only allowed in caucus states while general elections are held in every state
c)
Primary elections are open to all voters while general elections are only open to political party members
d)
Primary elections allow party members to select a nominee while voters in the general election select a candidate to office
55.
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the presidential election?
a)
100
b)
270
c)
535
d)
All 50 states
56.
What is not a requirement to be a naturalized US citizen?
a)
Have proof of employment
b)
Must be 18 years old
c)
Pass the natualization test
d)
Lawful permanent residence
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