WorksheetsGovernment Semester Exam Review
Total questions: 111
Worksheet time: 4hrs 42mins
Match the term to its definition: Federalist
group that supported ratification of the Constitution
group opposed to Constitution
branch of government that makes laws
government power separated into three distinct branches
Match the term to its definition: judicial branch
branch of government that interprets the laws
branch of government that enforces the laws
branch of government that makes laws
gives Congress additional implied powers
Match the term to its definition: Necessary & Proper clause
gives Congress additional implied powers
Constitution stands above all other forms of law in the United States
an addition or change to the Constitution
rule or regulation issued by the President
Match the term to its definition: impeachment
2 step process, to bring formal charges against public officials
group that makes the formal selection of the president
a tax that each adult has to pay in order to vote in an election
government can only exist with the consent of the governed
Match the term to its definition: compromise
an agreement between two sides
government power separated into three distinct branches
a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of those making the request
first constitution of the United States
Match the term to its definition: Anti-Federalist
group opposed to Constitution
group that supported ratification of the Constitution
government power held by the states
focused on the transformation of the Southern United States following Civil War
Match the term to its definition: executive branch
branch of government that enforces the laws
branch of government that interprets the laws
branch of government that makes laws
Constitution stands above all other forms of law in the United States
Match the term to its definition: public policy
goals that the government pursues in the many areas of human affairs
government can only exist with the consent of the governed
an agreement between two sides
a tax that each adult has to pay in order to vote in an election
Match the term to its definition: executive order
rule or regulation issued by the President
branch of government that enforces the laws
gives Congress additional implied powers
an addition or change to the Constitution
Match the term to its definition: poll tax
a tax that each adult has to pay in order to vote in an election
group that makes the formal selection of the president
Constitution stands above all other forms of law in the United States
government power held by the states
Match the term to its definition: popular sovereignty
government can only exist with the consent of the governed
government power separated into three distinct branches
gives Congress additional implied powers
first constitution of the United States
Match the term to its definition: petition
a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of those making the request
an agreement between two sides
rule or regulation issued by the President
focused on the transformation of the Southern United States following Civil War
Match the term to its definition: separation of powers
government power separated into three distinct branches
branch of government that makes laws
group opposed to Constitution
group that supported ratification of the Constitution
Match the term to its definition: Progressive
believed industrialization and urbanization created many social problems
a community coming together collectively to bring about change political or non-political
group that makes the formal selection of the president
government power held by the states
Match the term to its definition: amendment
an addition or change to the Constitution
gives Congress additional implied powers
Constitution stands above all other forms of law in the United States
branch of government that interprets the laws
Match the term to its definition: electoral college
group that makes the formal selection of the president
group that supported ratification of the Constitution
a tax that each adult has to pay in order to vote in an election
government can only exist with the consent of the governed
Match the term to its definition: Articles of Confederation
first constitution of the United States
government power held by the states
government that divides power between national and state government
branch of government that enforces the laws
Match the term to its definition: legislative branch
branch of government that makes laws
branch of government that interprets the laws
branch of government that enforces the laws
government power separated into three distinct branches
Match the term to its definition: supremacy clause
Constitution stands above all other forms of law in the United States
gives Congress additional implied powers
government can only exist with the consent of the governed
rule or regulation issued by the President
Match the term to its definition: Reconstruction
focused on the transformation of the Southern United States following Civil War
group opposed to Constitution
a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of those making the request
an agreement between two sides
Match the term to its definition: presidential veto
power that the President has to reject any act of Congress
each branch can check the power of the other two branches
the trial jury, used in both civil and criminal cases
government in which the people elect representatives
Match the term to its definition: reverse discrimination
unfair treatment of members of majority groups resulting from preferential policies intended to remedy earlier discrimination against minorities
a law that separates people on the basis of race, aimed primarily at African Americans
determines whether the evidence against a person charged with a crime is sufficient to justify a trial
government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does
Match the term to its definition: ratification
pass by voting
the civic duty to serve on a jury
power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of government actions
the act of not allowing something to be used or done
Match the term to its definition: suffrage
the right to vote
duties or customs (taxes) imposed by a government on imported goods
power of President to grant the legal forgiveness of a crime
government in which the people elect representatives
Match the term to its definition: jury duty
the civic duty to serve on a jury
the trial jury, used in both civil and criminal cases
a system of government that divides power between national and state governments
power that the President has to reject any act of Congress
Match the term to its definition: Jim Crow
a law that separates people on the basis of race, aimed primarily at African Americans
the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment
unfair treatment of members of majority groups resulting from preferential policies
government is not all powerful
Match the term to its definition: civil disobedience
the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government—nonviolent resistance
power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of government actions
each branch can check the power of the other two branches
duties or customs (taxes) imposed on imported goods
Match the term to its definition: grand jury
determines whether the evidence against a person charged with a crime is sufficient to justify a trial
the trial jury, used in both civil and criminal cases
government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does
pass by voting
Match the term to its definition: tariffs
duties or customs (taxes) imposed by a government on imported goods
government in which the people elect representatives
the right to vote
a system that divides power between national and state governments
Match the term to its definition: federalism
a system of government that divides power between national and state governments
government is not all powerful
government in which the people elect representatives
power of the President to grant legal forgiveness of a crime
Match the term to the definition: judicial review
power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of government actions
each branch can check the power of the other two branches
the active refusal to obey laws—nonviolent resistance
government must act fairly in all it does
Match the term to the definition: due process
the government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does
government is not all powerful
power that the President has to reject any act of Congress
the civic duty to serve on a jury
Match the term to the definition: checks and balances
each branch can check the power of the other two branches
government in which the people elect representatives
the trial jury, used in both civil and criminal cases
power of the courts to determine constitutionality
Match the term to the definition: quotas
a rule requiring certain numbers of jobs or promotions for members of certain groups
the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment
unfair treatment of members of majority groups due to preferential policies
the act of not allowing something to be used or done
Match the term to the definition: pardon
power of President to grant the legal forgiveness of a crime
power that the President has to reject any act of Congress
government must act fairly in all it does
pass by voting
Match the term to the definition: unconstitutional
goes against what is stated in the Constitution
government is not all powerful
a system dividing power between national and state governments
the right to vote
Match the term to the definition: prohibition
the act of not allowing something to be used or done
power of President to grant legal forgiveness of a crime
duties or customs (taxes) on imported goods
government in which the people elect representatives
Match the term to the definition: petit jury
the trial jury, used in both civil and criminal cases
determines whether the evidence against a person charged with a crime is sufficient to justify a trial
the civic duty to serve on a jury
government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does
Match the term to the definition: affirmative action
the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment
a rule requiring certain numbers of jobs or promotions for members of certain groups
government in which the people elect representatives
unfair treatment of majority groups due to preferential policies
Match the term to the definition: lame duck
an elected official whose time in an office or position will soon end
government is not all powerful
power that the President has to reject any act of Congress
the right to vote
The two-party system in America goes back to the
American Revolution
ratification of the Constitution
Civil War
Great Depression
Which of the following principles holds that the government may do only those things that the people have given it power to do?
limited government
separation of powers
checks and balances
judicial review
The shape of American government is based on the English political idea of
ordered government
representative government
limited government
all of the above
Which quotation from the United States Constitution provides for a federal system of government?
“He shall have power ... with the advice and consent of the Senate, ... and ... shall appoint ...”
“Every bill ... shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States; ...”
“The powers not delegated to the United States ... are reserved to the states ...”
“Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.”
Which of the following defines the principle of popular sovereignty?
the power of government is restricted
all people have rights that cannot be taken away
government exists and functions only with the consent of the governed; people hold political power
political power is divided among various branches of government
One way in which the authors of the Constitution tried to create “limited government” was by providing for
a loyal opposition through a two-party system
a division of power between the national and state governments
the establishment of naturalization laws
the popular election of Federal judges
The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of
the President to veto a bill passed by Congress
Congress to censure one of its members
a governor to send the National Guard to stop a riot
state and Federal governments to levy and collect taxes
Which executive action best demonstrates a check on the legislative branch's power?
the Senate rejects a Supreme Court nominee
the Supreme Court overturns a presidential pardon
the president vetoes a bill passed by Congress
the Speaker of the House consults with the vice president
The United States Government is considered a federal system because
the people elect national officials
both national and state governments exist within the nation
foreign policy is handled by state governments
each state has equal representation in the United States Senate
Two presidents in U.S. History, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, have been impeached. The impeachment of a U.S. president shows the check and balance process use in which manner?
executive check on the legislative
judicial check on the executive
legislative check on the executive
executive check on the judiciary
Read the excerpt below: "And, whenever any of the said States shall have sixty thousand free inhabitants therein, such State shall be admitted, by its delegates, into Congress of the United States, on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever, and shall be at liberty to form a permanent constitution and State government..." Which governmental document is the above statement contained within?
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Northwest Ordinance
United States Constitution
The ratification of the 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18, was a result of the
participation of the United States in the Vietnam War
fear of McCarthyism
reaction to the launching of Sputnik by the Soviet Union
reporting of the Watergate scandal
Since the 1950s, no United States president has run for a third term as president because
Vice Presidents are usually eager to succeed presidents
the public has not wanted a president to serve more than two terms
opposition within each president's political party has discouraged long tenure in office
a constitutional amendment was passed denying a president a third term in office
"No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges... of citizens... nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." The major purpose of these provisions of the 14th Amendment was to
limit the power of the federal government
expand the civil rights of women
maintain competition in business
protect the rights of African Americans
The change to the direct election of senators, the lowering of the voting age to eighteen, and the establishment of a two-term limit for presidents are examples of the use of
judicial review
checks and balances
executive privilege
the amendment process
According to the "Supremacy" clause, which of the following is the correct order of the "ladder of laws" in the United States, from top to bottom?
the U.S. Constitution, state constitutions, acts of Congress and treaties
the U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress and treaties, state constitutions, state statutes, local laws
state constitutions, acts of Congress and treaties, U.S. Constitutions, state statutes, local laws
none of the above
Discrimination occurs when the civil rights of an individual are denied or interfered with because of his or her membership in a particular group or class. Which of these demonstrated an action that would fight discrimination?
eliminating the national income tax
discouraging women's voting rights
supporting immigration restrictions
increasing opportunities for the disabled
The President of the United States has the power to appoint federal court judges. Who can prevent the President of the United States from controlling the Supreme Court by blocking appointments to the court?
state legislatures
the Joint Chiefs of Staff
governors
the Senate
Which amendment prohibits poll taxes?
15th
14th
29th
24th
The "Necessary and Proper" clause is called the "Elastic" clause because
like elastic, if stretched too far it doesn't work
over time, it has stretched to cover so many implied powers
it has been used to stretch the law to benefit a few people
it gives states as much power as they need
"The enumeration [listing] in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed [interpreted] to deny or disparage [weaken] others retained by the people." — 9th Amendment to the United States Constitution The most likely reason this amendment was included in the Bill of Rights was to
increase federal power over the people
expand state control over individual citizens
protect rights beyond those listed in the Constitution
prevent Congress from granting additional rights to individuals
The basic purpose of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution is to
describe the powers of the three branches of government
limit the powers of state governments
guarantee the rights of individuals
establish a system of checks and balances
What do the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments all have in common?
they define rights of all citizens
they each undo previous amendments
they each give voting rights to a group that did not previously have them
they were each adopted in the 1800s
The part of the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteeing that persons cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property by the United States or state governments without due process of law is called the
necessary and proper clause
due process clause
self-incrimination clause
elastic clause
Jim Crow laws, which were passed by Southern states following Reconstruction, were intended to
support the goals of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
encourage African Americans to buy their own farms
provide basic education to former slaves
institute racial segregation
According to the United States Constitution, which of the following is a power of the states?
coining money
establishing post offices
conducting elections
raising an army
The United States has a governmental system in which the power is divided between the national government and each state. Based on this information, what type of government system does the United States have?
capitalism
communism
federalism
totalitarianism
In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court's decision supporting integration of schools reversed
Scott v. Sanford
Plessy v. Ferguson
Regents of the University of California v. Blake
Baker v. Carr
The authors of the United States Constitution believed that the voice of the people should be heard frequently. Which part of the government was instituted to respond most directly to the will of the people?
Senate
House of Representatives
Supreme Court
Presidency
One way in which the United States Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution
created a national government having three branches
provided for the direct election of the president by the voters
made the amendment process more difficult
increased the power of the states
The United States Constitution corrected a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by
establishing a national legislature
allowing state governments to have power
requiring that amendments be ratified by the states
giving the national government the power to collect taxes
Which argument did the authors of the United States Constitution use when they insisted that revenue bills originate in the House of Representatives?
frequent elections would make members of the House more responsive to the wishes of the voters
members of the House would have a superior understanding of economics
the national budget should be determined solely by the House of Representatives
political parties would have less influence on members of the House than senators
According to the Declaration of Independence, the people have the right to alter or abolish a government if that government
is a limited monarchy
violates natural rights
becomes involved in entangling alliances
favors one religion over another
The United States Constitution grants certain powers only to the Federal Government. For example, only Congress can declare war. These powers are called
police powers
reserved powers
delegated powers
concurrent powers
Which historical event best demonstrates the operation of checks and balances?
President George Washington used the Army to suppress a tax rebellion by Pennsylvania farmers
South Carolina seceded from the Union over the issues of slavery and States rights
President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Federal troops to enforce the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas
The Senate approved the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court
One accomplishment of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of legislation establishing
a central banking system
a process for admitting new states to the Union
the president's right to put down rebellions
the ability of Congress to tax the states effectively
Which United States governmental principle includes the concepts of reserved powers, delegated powers, and concurrent powers?
the amending process
judicial review
federalism
the unwritten constitution
The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision
advanced civil rights for minorities
upheld the constitutionality of a national bank
limited Presidential control of foreign policy
established the power of judicial review
In the United States Congress, differences between Senate and House of Representatives versions of a bill are usually resolved by accepting the version that is
preferred by a majority of the State legislatures
supported by the Supreme Court
preferred by the House in which the bill originated
agreed to by a joint conference committee of both Houses
A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution because the authors were concerned about
one branch of government becoming too strong
the states having too much power
the people having a voice in government
the military gaining control of the United States
The implied powers suggested by the United States Constitution show that the writers recognized the
powers of government needed to be able to adapt to change
rights of the states had to be protected
powers of the Supreme Court needed to be checked
rights of the citizens were the first concern of government
The “establishment clause”
prohibits the establishment of a state religion
provides a wall of separation between church and state
was furthered by the Lemon v. Kurtzman decision
all of the above
The writers of the United States Constitution created a federal form of government primarily to
limit the powers of the Senate
develop a criminal justice system
provide for civilian control over the military
divide power between levels of government
The arguments that the due process clause of the 14th Amendment makes the Bill of Rights binding on the state governments is known as
the Nullification Doctrine
the Liberties in Government Doctrine
The Incorporation Doctrine
none of the above
When the State Department issues a warning about travel in a foreign country, which level of government is most involved in that action?
a city government
the State of Ohio
an international organization
the federal government
The Supreme Court’s practice of incorporating the Bill of Rights selectively, by identifying federal rights that are “implicit in the concept of ordered liberty” and applying them to states through the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause is called
one at a time
due process of law
the Living Constitution
selective incorporation
Soon after the Constitution of the United States was ratified, the first ten amendments were added because many citizens felt the need for
strengthening the power of the federal courts
ensuring the division of powers between the state and federal governments
establishing a national bank
protecting their liberties from abuses by the federal government
The amendment that is increasingly used to nationalize the Bill of Rights is the
Eleventh
Twenty-First
Twentieth
Fourteenth
In the case of _________, the Supreme Court ruled that the Bill of Rights restrained only the national government, not states and cities.
Miranda v. Arizona
Gitlow v. New York
New York v. the United States
Barron v. Baltimore
Reformers of the Progressive Era sought to reduce corruption in government by adopting a constitutional amendment that provided for
a maximum of two terms for presidents
term limits on members of Congress
voting rights for African Americans
direct election of U.S. senators
Which Document: Outlines many basic civil rights that all citizens should enjoy
Bill of Rights
U.S. Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Which Document: Provides for three branches of government that have separate powers and checks and balances over each other
U.S. Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
Which Document: Failed because it gave too much power to the states and did not have the power to tax
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
U.S. Constitution
Which Document: 85 essays which provide arguments and reasons for our federal structure of government
Federalist Papers
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Which Document: Contract between the people and the government stating what the government can and cannot do
U.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Bill is introduced by House member on the House floor.
1
3
6
10
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Bill is assigned to a committee and subcommittee by Speaker of the House, assigned a number.
2
4
7
11
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Subcommittee studies the bill, may make changes — reports bill to full committee (House).
1
3
5
8
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Full committee studies bill and may decide to make changes — most bills are stopped at this point (House).
2
4
9
12
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Bill moves on to the Rules Committee — writes rules for consideration on House floor (435) — going to the floor.
3
5
6
10
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: House votes to pass or defeat the bill.
4
6
9
13
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Bill is sent to other house (Senate).
5
7
8
12
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Bill is referred to a committee, subcommittee, and number (Senate).
6
8
11
14
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Subcommittee studies the bill, may make changes — reports bill to full committee (Senate).
7
9
10
13
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Full committee studies bill and may decide to make changes — most bills are stopped at this point — Bill is recommended to Senate floor (100).
8
10
12
14
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Senate majority leader crafts unanimous consent agreement — bill is placed on calendar for consideration and vote.
9
11
12
13
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: Senate votes to pass or defeat bill.
10
12
13
14
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: House and Senate bills are reconciled in a conference committee to produce one bill which is sent to the president.
11
13
14
12
Match the correct order of steps legislation must go through in order to become a law. Start the bill in the House of Representatives. Which step number corresponds to: President signs the bill into law.
12
13
14
11
Identify the opposing sides in the fight for ratification of the Constitution and describe the major arguments for and against the document. Choose the option that best captures the sides and their core arguments.
Federalists supported ratification and a stronger national government; Anti-Federalists opposed ratification, fearing centralized power and the lack of a Bill of Rights.
Federalists opposed ratification and favored stronger state sovereignty; Anti-Federalists supported ratification and a stronger national government.
Patriots supported ratification while Loyalists opposed it due to taxation and trade restrictions.
Democratic-Republicans supported ratification while Federalists opposed it over foreign policy concerns.
Explain how the constitutional amendments demonstrate the shift in the mindset of Americans from the time of ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 to later amendments concerning citizens' rights. Also address the importance of the 14th Amendment, the incorporation doctrine, and the role the government played in protecting/extending those rights to marginalized groups in the United States. Select all statements that accurately complete the explanation.
Later amendments expanded individual rights and political participation, reflecting a broader commitment to civil rights and equality.
The 14th Amendment’s Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses enabled incorporation, applying most provisions of the Bill of Rights to the states.
Government actors extended and protected rights through subsequent amendments, civil rights legislation, and Supreme Court decisions that enforced equality for marginalized groups.
The incorporation doctrine limits the Bill of Rights to the federal government only, leaving states free from its requirements.
