Worksheets2025-2026 Government Midterm
Total questions: 82
Worksheet time: 41mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The THREE basic types of power all governments exercise. (Select three answers)
a)
executive
b)
legislative
c)
implied
d)
inherited
e)
judicial
2.
A concept of government which states, that government should not be all-powerful.
a)
limited government
b)
unlimited government
c)
democracy
d)
representative government
3.
Where in the constitution do you find the promises to, "make good government and laws, peace in our homes, and provide for national security," at?
a)
Article 1
b)
The Preamble
c)
Article 7
d)
First Amendment
4.
Federalism can be described as...
a)
separation of church and state
b)
division of power
c)
division of trust
d)
reconciliation of lost rights
5.
Who is the only person who can call Congress into a special session?
a)
Vice President
b)
Speaker of the House
c)
Majority Party Leader
d)
President
6.
Who controls the legislative process, including the selection of Congressional Leaders?
a)
Minority Party
b)
American Citizens
c)
Majority Party
d)
Supreme Court
7.
Who is the presiding officer of the House chamber?
a)
Majority Whip
b)
Minority Whip
c)
Speaker of the House
d)
President Pro Tempore
8.
The Speaker is second in presidential succession, after the Vice President. What document makes this legally binding?
a)
25th Amendment
b)
24th Amendment
c)
23rd Amendment
d)
21st Amendment
9.
Whose job is it to ensure all party members are present when important measures are to be voted upon?
a)
Majority House Leader
b)
Minority House Leader
c)
Vice President
d)
Whips
10.
Article 1, Section 3, Clause 4 of the Constitution formally makes who the presiding officer of the Senate?
a)
Speaker of the House
b)
Majority Whip
c)
Vice President
d)
President Pro Tempore
11.
By tradition the senior member of the majority party in the Senate holds what post that is an honorific post with few duties?
a)
Floor Leader
b)
Majority Whip
c)
President Pro Tempore
d)
Vice President
12.
What is the primary function of the steering and policy committee?
a)
assign fellow party members to other committees
b)
chief tax-writing committee
c)
setting the specific expenditures of money by the government
d)
decide how long and under what rules the full body will debate a bill
13.
What is the primary function of the House Committee on Ways and Means?
a)
assign fellow party members to other committees
b)
chief tax-writing committee
c)
setting the specific expenditures of money by the government
d)
decide how long and under what rules the full body will debate a bill
14.
What is the primary function of the House Committee on Appropriations?
a)
assign fellow party members to other committees
b)
chief tax-writing committee
c)
setting the specific expenditures of money by the government
d)
decide how long and under what rules the full body will debate a bill
15.
What is the primary function of the House Committee on Rules?
a)
assign fellow party members to other committees
b)
chief tax-writing committee
c)
setting the specific expenditures of money by the government
d)
decide how long and under what rules the full body will debate a bill
16.
What type of congressional committee is created to Iron out differences in bills passed by the House and Senate before they are sent to the President?
a)
Joint Committee
b)
Conference Committee
c)
House Committee on Rules
d)
House Committee on Ways and Means
17.
This can be described as a proposed law presented to the House or Senate for consideration.
a)
rider
b)
bill
c)
law
d)
amendment
18.
This can be described as a measure attached to a bill dealing with an unrelated matter but is included in the main bill.
a)
rider
b)
bill
c)
law
d)
amendment
19.
What type of congressional committee is one composed of members of both houses?
a)
Joint Committee
b)
Conference Committee
c)
House Committee on Rules
d)
House Committee on Ways and Means
20.
A presidential veto can be overridden by what type of vote from both houses of Congress?
a)
2/4
b)
3/4
c)
2/5
d)
2/3
21.
The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House shall apportioned (distributed) among the States on the basis of their respective what?
a)
Square Footage
b)
Economic Impact
c)
Franking Privilege
d)
Population
22.
Members of the House of Representatives serve how many years per term?
a)
6 years
b)
4 years
c)
2 years
d)
8 years
23.
Representation to the Senate is based on what type of representation?
a)
Separate but equal
b)
Equal
c)
Equivalent
d)
Direct
24.
What are the 3 qualifications to be a member of the Senate? (Select 3)
a)
Minimum age of 30 years old
b)
Citizen for 9 years
c)
must reside in the state in which you are representing
d)
Minimum age of 25 years old
e)
Citizen for 7 years
25.
What makes the Senate a continuous body?
a)
all of it's seats are never up for election
b)
all of it's seats are always up for election
c)
the fact that the Senate makes up 50% of Congress
d)
the fact that there is always a majority party leader
26.
What is another name for "The Necessary and Proper Clause" of the Constitution?
a)
Supremacy Clause
b)
Speech and Debate Clause
c)
Separate But Equal
d)
Elastic Clause
27.
Why did the framers create federalism?
a)
in order for the States to have more power
b)
to protect from a Government that threatens individual liberties
c)
to create a system of federal banks
d)
to create a fourth branch of Government
28.
List the three types of delegated powers the constitution gives the federal government.
a)
Expressed, Implied, Inherent
b)
Expressed, Implied, Delegated
c)
Expressed, Simplified, Inherent
d)
Concurrent, Implied, Inherent
29.
What amendment contains Powers Reserved to the States?
a)
8
b)
9
c)
10
d)
11
30.
Powers that can be exercised by the National Government alone are known as the......
a)
expressed powers
b)
concurrent powers
31.
Which of the following are 2 examples of power only exercised by the National Government?
a)
Coin Money
b)
Issue Licenses
c)
Determine Public Education
d)
Set speed limits
e)
Make treaties
32.
What are powers that are shared by both the National Government and the State Governments?
a)
Expressed
b)
Implied
c)
Inherent
d)
Concurrent
33.
Which of the following are 3 Federal Government Constitutional obligations it has towards the states?
a)
Republican Form of Government
b)
Provide Public Education
c)
Determine a State Religion
d)
Protect from invasion and internal disorder
e)
Respect for Territorial Integrity
34.
What is the term used for powers that are neither granted to the National Government nor denied to the States?
a)
Delegated Powers
b)
Reserved Powers
c)
Concurrent Powers
35.
Select all power(s) that only the FEDERAL government has:
a)
Declare War
b)
Print Money
c)
Maintain Military
d)
Make Treaties
e)
Issue Licenses
36.
Select all power(s) that only the STATE governments have:
a)
Issue Licenses
b)
Conduct Elections
c)
Collect Taxes
d)
Declare War
e)
Print Money
37.
Select all concurrent power(s) that the state and federal governments have:
a)
Collect Taxes
b)
Build Roads
c)
Establish Courts
d)
Make and Enforce Laws
e)
Eminent Domain
38.
Article 1 of the constitution establishes the powers of which branch of government?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Foreign Affairs Branch
39.
Article 2 of the constitution establishes the powers of which branch of government?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Judicial branch
c)
Executive Branch
d)
Public Policies Branch
40.
Article 3 of the constitution establishes the powers of which branch of government?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Judicial branch
c)
Executive Branch
d)
Public Policies Branch
41.
What is the job of the legislative branch?
a)
Interpret the laws
b)
make the laws
c)
enforce the laws
d)
Popular Sovereignty
42.
What is the job of the executive branch?
a)
Interpret the laws
b)
make the laws
c)
enforce the laws
d)
Popular Sovereignty
43.
What is the job of the judicial branch?
a)
Interpret the laws
b)
make the laws
c)
enforce the laws
d)
Popular Sovereignty
44.
What does Article 4 of the U.S. Constitution address?
a)
The amendment process
b)
Supremacy Clause
c)
Ratification
d)
Relationships between the States and the Federal Government
45.
What does Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution address?
a)
The amendment process
b)
Supremacy Clause
c)
Ratification
d)
Relationships between the States and the Federal Government
46.
What does Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution address?
a)
The amendment process
b)
Supremacy Clause
c)
Ratification
d)
Relationships between the States and the Federal Government
47.
What does Article 7 of the U.S. Constitution address?
a)
The amendment process
b)
Supremacy Clause
c)
Ratification
d)
Relationships between the States and the Federal Government
48.
The first 10 amendments to the constitution are known as what?
a)
The Preamble
b)
The Bill of Rights
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
List of Grievances
49.
What doctrine asserts that the people are the source of any and all government power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
e)
Federalism
50.
What doctrine asserts the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government are three independent and coequal branches of government?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
e)
Federalism
51.
What doctrine asserts the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to check, or restrain, the actions of one another?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
e)
Federalism
52.
What doctrine asserts the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
e)
Federalism
53.
What doctrine asserts that the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Checks and Balances
c)
Popular Sovereignty
d)
Judicial Review
e)
Federalism
54.
What is the total number of articles that are contained in the Constitution of the United States?
a)
27
b)
7
c)
10
d)
21
55.
According to the Declaration of Independence, where does the government derive it's power?
a)
consent of the governed
b)
popular sovereignty
c)
federalism
d)
divine right
56.
A concept of government which believes, a government serves the will of the people?
a)
limited government
b)
unlimited government
c)
proprietary government
d)
representative government
57.
Where in the Declaration of Independence is it summarized the fundamental principles of American self-government?
a)
The Body
b)
The Index
c)
The Preamble
d)
The Bill of Rights
58.
What was one power granted to the new nation's government that was NOT in the Articles of Confederation?
a)
The power to tax
b)
Trial by combat
c)
Declare war
d)
Divine Right Theory
59.
What were THREE weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
a)
Power to Declare War
b)
No power to tax
c)
No executive power
d)
no central courts
60.
What delegate was unanimously elected president of the Convention?
a)
Thomas Jefferson
b)
John Adams
c)
Alexander Hamilton
d)
George Washington
61.
What Proposal was called the "Big States plan," that called for two houses with representation in both based on population?
a)
New Jersey Plan
b)
New England Plan
c)
Virginia Plan
d)
Texas Plan
62.
What proposal was called the "Small States plan" that called for a legislature with one house, with each state having one vote?
a)
New Jersey Plan
b)
New England Plan
c)
Virginia Plan
d)
Rhode Island Plan
63.
What Article in the constitution outlines the necessary number of states for ratification?
a)
21
b)
7
c)
14
d)
28
64.
Which of the following were results of the "3/5 Compromise?"
a)
expanded political powers of slaveholders
b)
impacted elections through the Electoral College
c)
Institutionalizes slavery in America
d)
the monarch could be bound by the law
e)
a subject could sue the crown
65.
Select which Federalist paper is the correct title for the following statement:
“Liberty is to faction, what air is to fire, an aliment,
without which it instantly expires. But it could not be a
less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political
life, because it nourish 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.”
a)
51
b)
70
c)
10
d)
12
66.
In regards to the Declaration of Independence, the Framers thought what should happen as a result, "If the government becomes destructive?"
a)
Colonies are free & independent states and absolved from Great Britain
b)
The right of the governed people to alter or abolish it & create a new government
c)
Levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce
d)
Dissolve political bands which connected them to another
67.
Select which faction argued the following statement:
"A government simply cannot operate, provide critical services, and support a military without money. A reasonable amount of taxes is needed to maintain a functional federal government. The alternative is a do-nothing government and non-existent national defense. Growth and improvement cost money, but are worth the investment."
a)
Federalist
b)
Anti-Federalist
68.
Select which faction argued the following statement:
"The Senate creates a completely unequal setting for legislation. As it stands, the tiny state of Delaware has as much representation in the Senate as a large and populous state like Virginia. How is this fair? How is this democratic?"
a)
Federalist
b)
Anti-Federalist
69.
Select which faction argued the following statement:
"The supporters of the Constitution do not believe a listing of the rights of the people is necessary. They are wrong. We need a Bill of Rights to make sure the government doesn't take away our liberties."
a)
Federalist
b)
Anti-Federalist
70.
What principle states that government derives its power from the consent of the governed?
a)
Limited government
b)
Popular sovereignty
c)
Separation of powers
d)
Checks and balances
71.
What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
a)
To oppose the Constitution
b)
To promote the Constitution
c)
To establish a new government
d)
To declare independence
72.
What was the significance of Shay's Rebellion?
a)
It led to the signing of the Constitution
b)
It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
c)
It was a successful revolt against British rule
d)
It established the Bill of Rights
73.
What was the outcome of the Great Compromise?
a)
A unicameral legislature
b)
Bicameral legislature with equal representation
c)
Bicameral legislature with population-based representation
d)
A compromise on slavery
74.
The state is defined as having these FOUR characteristics: (select 4 answers)
a)
population
b)
territory
c)
sovereignty
d)
government
e)
unitary
75.
What is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies?
a)
Democracy
b)
Government
c)
Federal
d)
Confederacy
76.
What classification of government is an alliance of independent states?
a)
Confederacy
b)
Federal
c)
Local
d)
Unitary
77.
What classification of government are the powers of government divided between a central government and several local governments?
a)
Confederacy
b)
Federal
c)
Local
d)
Unitary
78.
There are a total of 5 basic notions that comprise the American concept of democracy. Select the THREE that are correct.
a)
Respect for the Equality of all persons
b)
A faith in the majority rule
c)
Only elites will be enfranchised
d)
Acceptance of the necessity of compromise
e)
79.
What is the main purpose of government according to the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States?
a)
To establish justice and promote the general welfare
b)
To provide for the common defense and secure the blessings of liberty
c)
To form a more perfect union and ensure domestic tranquility
d)
All of the above
80.
In a democracy, where does supreme political authority rest?
a)
With the government
b)
With the people
c)
With the president
d)
With the military
81.
Which of the following is a basic concept of democracy?
a)
A belief in the divine right of rulers
b)
A preference for dictatorship over majority rule
c)
A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person
d)
An acceptance of the necessity of absolute power
82.
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?
a)
Executive branch
b)
All branches have the power to make laws
c)
Judicial branch
d)
Legislative branch
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