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Worksheets

U.S. Government Powers and Rights

Total questions: 35

Worksheet time: 18mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the main reason the Articles of Confederation failed?

a)

The central government was too weak to tax or solve state disputes.

b)

The states refused to print money.

c)

It gave the President too much power.

2.

The Supremacy Clause in the Constitution says that:

a)

Federal (national) laws are the highest laws of the land.

b)

The President is superior to Congress.

c)

State laws must always be superior to federal laws.

3.

The 3/5 Compromise settled a dispute over:

a)

How many branches of government the U.S. would have.

b)

How to count enslaved people for representation and taxation.

c)

The number of senators each state would get.

4.

An economic system where private citizens own most businesses and compete freely is called:

a)

Capitalism

b)

Communism

c)

Socialism

5.

A system where the government controls key industries and tries to share wealth more equally is called:

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Monarchy

6.

The system that ensures one branch of government doesn't become too powerful (like the President vetoing a bill) is known as:

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Federalism

c)

Checks and Balances

7.

The power of the U.S. President to reject (veto) a law passed by Congress is an example of:

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Judicial Review

8.

The system that divides power between the national government and the state governments is called:

a)

Unitary System

b)

Federalism

c)

Confederal System

9.

Which power is an example of a power held only by the federal (national) government?

a)

Setting up local schools

b)

Printing money

c)

Issuing marriage licenses

10.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee basic freedoms are known as the:

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

Due Process Rights

11.

The 1st Amendment protects all of the following except:

a)

Freedom of speech

b)

Right to own a weapon

c)

Freedom of religion

12.

The 4th Amendment protects citizens against:

a)

Cruel and unusual punishment

b)

Double Jeopardy

c)

Unreasonable searches and seizures

13.

If you are guaranteed the right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination, which amendment protects you?

a)

6th Amendment

b)

5th Amendment

c)

4th Amendment

14.

The 6th Amendment guarantees a citizen the right to:

a)

A lawyer (attorney)

b)

Free exercise of religion

c)

Vote

15.

Which amendment guarantees citizens born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens and have equal protection under the law?

a)

1st Amendment

b)

10th Amendment

c)

14th Amendment

16.

Drawing election district lines to give one political party an unfair advantage is called:

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Gerrymandering

c)

Filibuster

17.

The tactic used by Senators to delay or block a vote on a bill by talking for a long time is the:

a)

Veto

b)

Filibuster

c)

Quorum call

18.

Which term refers to a minor crime that usually results in a small fine or a short jail time?

a)

Civil Suit

b)

Misdemeanor

c)

Felony

19.

A serious crime, such as armed robbery or murder, that typically results in a long prison sentence is a:

a)

Civil Suit

b)

Felony

c)

Misdemeanor

20.

The rule that police must follow fair rules and procedures when taking action against a person is known as:

a)

Exclusionary Rule

b)

Due Process

c)

Double Jeopardy

21.

The rule that says a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime after being found innocent is called:

a)

Plea Bargain

b)

Double Jeopardy

c)

Reasonable Suspicion

22.

A jury that cannot agree on a verdict (guilty or not guilty) is called a:

a)

Grand Jury

b)

Hung Jury

c)

Petit Jury

23.

A person is considered innocent until the government proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they are:

a)

Presumed Innocent

b)

Guilty

c)

Arrested

24.

The level of suspicion police need to obtain a warrant to search a home is called:

a)

Due Process

b)

Probable Cause

c)

Reasonable Suspicion

25.

To win the U.S. Presidency, a candidate must receive at least how many electoral votes?

a)

100

b)

538

c)

270

26.

The Supreme Court case Gideon vs. Wainwright established the right to:

a)

Protest war in school

b)

Have a lawyer provided by the state if you cannot afford one

c)

Remain silent

27.

The Supreme Court case Miranda vs. Arizona established that police must inform suspects of their rights before:

a)

An arrest is made

b)

Questioning (interrogation)

c)

The trial begins

28.

The Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education overturned the idea of "Separate but Equal" by ruling that segregation in public schools was:

a)

Required by state law

b)

Unconstitutional

c)

Legal if facilities were equal

29.

The earlier case that legalized segregation under the idea of "Separate but Equal" was:

a)

Plessy vs. Ferguson

b)

Roe vs. Wade

c)

Tinker vs. Des Moines

30.

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

a)

Judicial Activism

b)

Judicial Review

c)

Appellate Jurisdiction

31.

Title IX (Title 9) is a law that prohibits discrimination based on what in any federally funded education program?

a)

Age

b)

Sex

c)

Race

32.

Affirmative Action policies attempt to address:

a)

Restrictions on freedom of the press

b)

Voting rights for 18-year-olds

c)

The effects of past discrimination

33.

The Tinker vs. Des Moines ruling said students can use symbolic speech (like wearing armbands) at school as long as it does not:

a)

Require a federal permit

b)

Disrupt the educational environment

c)

Upset any teacher

34.

The ruling in the Pentagon Papers case made it very difficult for the government to stop a newspaper from publishing because of the protection of:

a)

The 2nd Amendment

b)

Freedom of the press

c)

The right to assemble

35.

The Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment prevents the government from:

a)

Creating an official national religion

b)

Requiring people to attend church

c)

Prohibiting the use of religious symbols