Civics Exam Flashcards

Among the broad purposes of the United States government spelled out in the Preamble to the Constitution is the obligation to what?

The theory underlying modern democracies was developed to challenge the idea that

Of the four major theories of government only this one focuses on protecting the rights of the governed.

John Locke is associated with this major political theory of government.

This system of government gives all key powers to the national government.

Based on the U.S. Constitution this is above "the rule of law".

This system divides the power between the state and national governments.

What is NOT a purpose of a constitution?

loose union of independent states

Which document serves the purposes listed in the diagram?
-sets out ideals that bind believers.
-provides country with supreme law.
-establishes basic structure of government, defines powers and duties.

The effort to control or influence the conduct of government is called

Totalitarian dictatorship is a form of this type of government.

Fundamental aspects of democracy include all of the following EXCEPT:

Any system of government in which rule is by the people is called

All of the following countries have constitutional monarchs EXCEPT:

According to Aristotle a "good" government:

The form of democracy we have in this country is called

What are the two types of democracies?

The Internet seems especially suited to satisfy which of these needs in a democracy?

What is not part of the foundations of democracy?

Which of the following illustrates the concept of equality of opportunity?

In order to get laws passed this is an absolute necessity.

Democracy’s belief in the worth of the individual is indirectly reflected in the..

In a democracy, each minority has a right to..

This state had a successful experience with Internet voting in 2000.

The government’s involvement in economy serves what two purposes?

For what reason might the ruler(s) in a dictatorship feel threatened by the existence of the Internet?

This man provided a philosophy for capitalism.

Under the command economy who decides the answers to the three questions that all economic systems must answer?

An economic system in which the government makes all decisions about how goods and services are produced and distributed is called --

The economic system in which freedom of choice is emphasized is

The United States has this type of economic system.

An economic system in which individual choice determines how goods and services are produced and distributed is called --

The economic system in which freedom of choice is emphasized is

The United States has this type of economic system.

An economic system in which individual choice determines how goods and services are produced and distributed is called --

What economy includes a laissez-faire ideal with government involvement to ensure competition fairness and protects public interest?

What economic idea did the US adopt from Adam Smith?

From its one chamber, the ____ legislature of the Second Continental Congress exercised both legislative and executive powers.

The Petition of Right forbids the mandatory quartering of troops in private homes, this is part of the U.S. Bill of Rights in this amendment.

The US Constitution is based upon which of the following documents?

Who gives the authority to colonize in a charter colony?

A bicameral legislature is best described as a __________.

The ___________ was signed by King Charles I in 1628 and declared that even the monarch was subject to the law of the land.

The Magna Carta had this specific effect on the monarchy.

Which of the following documents originally challenged the idea of the divine rights of kings?

a. The Petition of Right

b. English Bill of Rights

c. Magna Carta

d. United States Bill of Rights

The landmark English document that guaranteed due process is:

a. Bill of Rights
c. Constitution
b. Magna Carta
d. The Petition of Right

Which of the following BEST describes a social contract as defined by Western philosophers in the 18th century?

A. a contract that forces people to release all of their liberty in exchange for basic services
B. By rejecting any form of government, people should have a contract amongst themselves to maintain peace and order.
C. A social contract ensures that a monarch will provide its people basic services like education and protection from enemies.
D. people consenting to a form of government, which implies that an individual releases some liberty for the common good

A(n) __________ is a way of thinking or a set of ideas about particular subjects.
A.
philosophy
B.
theorem
C.
proof
D.
axiom

Which statement BEST describes the philosophy of John Locke?

A. There is no need for government since natural law will ensure that humanity continues to progress.
B. Governments should have separation of powers to ensure their citizens retain the greatest possible liberty.
C. Monarchies, because of their divine blessings, ensure that civilization progresses to its maximum potential.
D. Because they should be accountable to the people, governments must protect the natural rights of its citizens or else be overthrown.

In The Spirit of the Laws (1748), __________ argues that any government, if it is to protect the liberty of its citizens, needs __________.

A. Rousseau . . . a strong legislature
B. Montesquieu . . . a separation of powers
C. Locke . . . a strong monarch to serve as a father figure
D. Filmer . . . a constitution in which rights are explicitly outlined

Enlightenment philosophers employed __________ to distill scientific truths through experimentation and observation.

A. Greek mythology
B. Galilean proofs
C. religious philosophy
D. scientific method

Which statement BEST describes a social contract?

A. an implied agreement between citizens and government in which citizens release some liberty to government for the good of society
B. a contract between local residents and providers of basic services like water and energy
C. an understanding that the judiciary branch of government will be wholly independent of the other branches of government
D. an agreement between citizens and their government in which governments will provide safety, shelter, and basic services in exchange for most of their citizens’ liberty

Which statement BEST explains why the “divine right of kings” theory conflicted with the idea of a social contract?

A. The divine right of kings theory bound people to a religion, which, according to Rousseau and Locke, went against natural law.
B. Social contracts required the consent of every individual in society, which meant kings had to obey the will of the majority.
C. Because divine right of kings awarded absolute power to monarchs as leaders of society, there could not be a true consent of the people.
D. As a purely Catholic idea, the divine right of kings theory conflicted with the Protestant theory of a social contract.

Which statement about the “divine right of kings” theory is FALSE?

A. Its followers viewed kings as the fathers of society.
B. Its adherents believed that government was critical to the “Great Chain of Being.”
C. It held that submission to the patriarchal authority was the key to political obligation.
D. Its followers believed that governments should be modeled after the ancient Greek and Roman governments.

Each statement is true of the Enlightenment EXCEPT:

A. It sought to justify the divine right of kings.
B. It influenced the American Founding Fathers.
C. It began in Western Europe in the 18th century.
D. It was heavily influenced by the histories of ancient civilizations.

Which statement about the relationship between Enlightenment philosophers and the philosophy of Robert Filmer is TRUE?

A. Filmer suggested that governments represent the will of the majority, whereas Enlightenment thinkers advocated for minority rights.
B. Filmer argued for a strong monarchy, whereas Enlightenment philosophers claimed that government was not necessary because natural law would allow society to advance.
C. Enlightenment philosophers advocated government systems that protected the natural rights of man, whereas Filmer argued that people would be lost without the paternal monarch.
D. Enlightenment philosophers advocated monarchical governments in which a central king would ensure the rights of the people, whereas Filmer argued for representative democracy.

For the most part, the Declaration of Independence was an attack on the actions of:

a. the colonial governments
c. the King of England
b. the English Parliament
d. the people of England

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?

a. to discuss independence from England
c. to discuss the taxing situation with England and repeal taxation laws
b. to discuss the new government for the United States
d. to discuss the new name for the union

The idea that the people have the right to abolish an abusive and unresponsive government was FIRST formally expressed by Americans in the

a. Constitution.
b. Petition of Right.
c. Declaration of Rights.
d. Declaration of Independence.

From the formation of the New England Confederation to that of the Second Continental Congress, the colonists became progressively
a. better organized.
b. more defiant.
c. both a and b
d. none of the above

The first State constitutions, adopted after independence,

a. placed most authority with the State governors.
b. provided for lengthy terms for elective offices.
c. placed most authority with the State legislatures.
d. extended voting rights to all adult State residents.

This colonial self-governing collective body was suggested by Benjamin Franklin.

a. The New England Confederation
c. The Stamp Act Congress
b. The Penn Intercolonial Cooperation Plan
d. The Albany Plan of Union

The first State constitutions focused mainly on

a. outlining the causes of the Revolution.
b. limiting governmental power.
c. establishing a unitary system of government.
d. abolishing restrictions on the legislature.

This body has control when a society has popular sovereignty.

a. the aristocracy
c. the wealthy
b. the army
d. the people

A common feature of the first state constitutions was:

a. trial by jury
c. freedom of assembly
b. popular sovereignty
d. due process

The plan which created the three branches of government and also the bicameral legislature gave more power to states with high populations. Name the plan.

a. Virginia Plan
c. New Jersey Plan
b. New York Plan
d. Massachusetts Plan

The success of which plan led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

a. Albany Plan of Union
b. Second Continental Congress's "plan of confederation"
c. interstate plan for regulating trade between Virginia and Maryland
d. compromise reached between the Virginia and New Jersey plans

The convention decided to make a compromise between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan. What was the name of the plan?

a. New York Plan
c. Massachusetts Plan
b. Connecticut Plan
d. Florida Plan

When crafting the new Constitution, the Framers drew from their experiences with which of the following?

a. the governments of ancient Greece and Rome
b. the writings of Rousseau and Locke
c. their own State governments
d. all of the above

This plan of government first proposed the idea of three separate branches.

a. Connecticut plan
c. New Jersey plan
b. Virginia plan
d. Rhode Island plan

What was the compromise that dealt with the northern states’ concern of southern states using slaves as part of the counted population thus influencing their representation in Congress?
a. One-Half Compromise
c. Three-Fifths Compromise
b. One-Quarter Compromise
d. One-Fourth Compromise

This plan of government first proposed the idea of a plural executive branch.

a. Connecticut Compromise
c. New Jersey plan
b. Virginia plan
d. Rhode Island plan

The Three-Fifths Compromise dealt with the issue of:
a. commerce
c. women’s rights
b. taxation
d. slavery

What were the two sides in the fight for ratification?

a. Federalists and Anti-Federalists
c. Whigs and Democrats
b. Democrats and Anti-Federalists
d. Whigs and Federalist

What compromise did the Federalists make in order to ensure ratification in Virginia and New York?

a. to include a grievance list in the Constitution
c. to count slaves as a whole person
b. to include a Bill of Rights in the Constitution
d. to have representation based on population in the higher house

The Anti-federalists were against ratification of the constitution mostly because:

a. they were anarchists
c. they felt the states should have less power
b. their experiences under British rule
d. they were against proportional representation

Virginia ratified the constitution with the help of all of the following men EXCEPT:
a. Washington
c. Henry
b. Jefferson
d. Madison

What two states were not part of the nine needed to legally ratify the Constitution but were sought for ratification in order to ensure a strong backing of the Constitution?

a. Virginia and New Jersey
c. New York and Connecticut
b. New Jersey and Connecticut
d. New York and Virginia

A key aspect of ratification in both Virginia and New York was:
a. a promise to end slavery immediately
c. a promise of a bill of rights to follow
b. a promise to give women political rights
d. a promise to give everyone over the age of 21 the right to vote

those for whom the Constitution represented a too-powerful central government

Anti-Federalists complained that the delegates of the Constitutional Convention created a document that served the special interests of the _______ only.

a. merchants
c. wealthy
b. farmers
d. industrialists

U.S. Constitutions 3 parts-
-preamble
- ????
-amendments

a. Bill of Rights
c. Essays
b. Articles
d. Sections

Direct election of senators to Congress occurred because of:

a. the original wording in article one
c. the bill of rights
b. the original wording in article two
d. a constitutional amendment

How did the framers ensure that one branch would not have more power over any other branch?

a. Two of three branches must agree before any legislation is passed.
c. There is a system of checks and balances between the three branches.
b. Both congress and judicial branches check on the executive branch.
d. Congress checks on judicial branch and presidential branch but has no one to check on them.

Extradition, which gives a state an opportunity to send fugitives from one state back to the state seeking them, is contained in this article.

a. article three
c. article five
b. article four
d. article two

___________ elevated the Supreme Court to a higher status, balancing the powers of the other branches.

a. Enumerated powers
c. Constitutional amendment
b. Judicial review
d. Judicial activism

Which principle grants the president the authority to appoint federal judges?

a. judicial review
c. federalism
b. popular sovereignty
d. checks and balances

Article II of the Constitution

The Constitution is based on the concept of

a. expressed powers.
c. popular sovereignty.
b. judicial activism.
d. jurisdiction.

The full faith and credit clause, allowing states to recognize legal procedures such as marriage, is contained in this article.

a. article three
c. article five
b. article four
d. article six

Why would the framers want Congress to be more powerful than the executive branch?

a. because it was in control of making laws
b. because it was smaller than the judicial branch
c. because it is the biggest branch and divided power amongst the most amount of people
d. because it deals with the foreign heads of state

The executive branch has expanded its powers through what?

a. federal bureaucracies
c. create new laws giving the executive more power
b. changing of the Constitution
d. congressional sessions

An example of a congressional enumerated power is ___________________.

a. a power numbered in the Constitution
c. a power granted by the president
b. a power implied by the Constitution
d. a power specified by judicial review

To protect liberty and specify its powers, the Framers gave Congress

The Supreme Court would have original jurisdiction over which of the following cases.
a. Los Angeles v New York City
b. United States v Canada
c. Canada v France
d. Florida v California

This is the current number of members in the House of Representatives.
a. 100
c. 435
b. 335
d. 535

The "necessary and proper clause", which gives Congress broad power in lawmaking, is also known as the _________.

a. due process clause
c. elastic clause
b. establishment clause
d. free exercise clause

The judicial branch of government received the majority of its structure and power from _____________________.

a. Article II of the U.S. Constitution
c. the court case "McCulloch v. Maryland"
b. the Judiciary Act of 1789
d. state court cases

Article II of the Constitution is important because it ___________.

a. describes expressed powers
c. describes the executive branch
b. describes enumerated powers
d. describes the legislative branch

All of the following are powers of the president EXCEPT ___________.

a. he can declare war
c. he can pardon people convicted of federal offenses
b. he gives the state of the Union message
d. he is commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Who decides how states will ratify the amendments?

a. Congress
c. Justices
b. President
d. States

One way the Founders provided for change in the Constitution was to describe how to

a. provide judicial restraint.
c. amend the Constitution.
b. ratify the Constitution.
d. impeach presidents.

There are two ways to propose an amendment, one is by receiving two-thirds votes from Congress, the second is by a

a. Congressional petition.
c. presidential order.
b. Supreme Court rule.
d. national convention.

appeal to congress

Agreements between heads of state

How many ways can the Constitution be amended?

a. 1
c. 3
b. 2
d. 4

agreement between nations

The only method of amending the Constitution that has been used to date is by

a. judicial activism.
c. national convention.
b. petition.
d. two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress.

amendment approval

How many amendments have been added since the first ten?

a. 15
c. 17
b. 16
d. 18

Why was the 24th Amendment important to voters?

a. It abolished poll taxes so every citizen who registered could vote.
c. It created a new way to vote.
b. It allowed anyone to vote.
d. It created an easier way to vote.

The first 10 amendments are called the

a. Bill of Rights.
c. Preamble.
b. Constitution.
d. enumerated Articles.

What are the first ten amendments called?

a. Declaration of Independence
c. Freedom Amendments
b. Bill of Rights
d. Articles

If you were mistreated by a police officer during a routine traffic stop without just cause, this 5th amendment right was probably violated.

a. double jeopardy
c. self-incrimination
b. due process
d. eminent domain

The ______________ Amendment incorporated the Bill of Rights into law at the state level.

a. Sixteenth
b. Fourteenth
c. Tenth
d. Ninth

How did the 12th Amendment change the electoral process?

a. It allowed the President to choose a Vice President after the election.
b. It combined the vote for President and Vice President in the electoral college.
c. It established separate ballots for the President and Vice President in the electoral college.
d. It established that the runner-up would become Vice President.

First amendment

How did the Twenty-first Amendment affect the Eighteenth Amendment?

a. changed its venue
c. repealed it
b. supported it
d. ratified it

foreign-born, noncitizen

The Due Process Clause guarantees that

a. the National Government will not interfere with constitutional rights.
b. States are not bound by their State constitutions in matters of individual rights.
c. States will not deny people any basic or essential liberties.
d. State governments will police the National Government.

What is the belief about rights under a limited government?

a. rights are relative not absolute
c. rights are needed for civilization
b. rights are given not earned
d. rights are unable to be given to all people

Individual rights were included in the Constitution because

a. conflicts between individuals and the government remained unsolved.
b. the people demanded a listing of rights.
c. the distinction between civil rights and civil liberties had to be made.
d. people did not want the government to have any authority over them.

A person may do as he or she chooses in this country

a. because the Constitution guarantees that right.
b. because the Supreme Court has ruled that to be a right.
c. as long as that person does not infringe on the rights of others.
d. as long as that person does not criticize others.

Which of the following statements about civil rights is NOT true?

a. Each person's rights are relative to the rights of others.
b. Rights sometimes conflict with one another.
c. Some rights may be limited in wartime.
d. Rights are extended only to citizens.

All of the following are examples of individual rights EXCEPT:

a. Yelling fire in a crowded gymnasium during a high school basketball game when there isn’t actually a fire.
c. Holding a silent protest outside of a bank after they have laid-off 500 employees.
b. Printing an editorial regarding the quality of food served in hospitals.
d. Organizing a protest rally within the United States against the actions of a foreign government.

The 10 amendments known as the Bill of Rights were originally intended as restrictions against

a. the already existing States.
b. any new States that would enter the Union.
c. the new National Government.
d. both the National Government and State governments.

All of the following stand as proof of the American commitment to freedom EXCEPT

a. the Declaration of Independence.
b. the Preamble to the Constitution.
c. the Bill of Rights.
d. Article II of the Constitution.

Private schools that are church-related are known as ____ schools.

The Supreme Court has held that the key factor in determining whether or not released time programs are constitutional is

a. what students do during those programs.
b. when the programs are held.
c. where those programs are held.
d. who attends the programs.

protects the right to hold one's own religious beliefs

A democracy must allow freedom of expression, otherwise

a. a dictatorship cannot exist.
b. office seekers cannot run for office.
c. government will collapse.
d. democracy does not really exist.

To determine whether or not to provide public aid to parochial schools, local and federal courts use the Lemon test, which adheres to three standards including all of the following except

a. Funds must be used for secular purposes only.
b. The primary effect must neither inhibit nor advance religion.
c. Student acceptance to and attendance of the school must not be determined by religious beliefs.
d. The government must avoid any excessive entanglement.

Government has encouraged religion in the United States in all of the following ways EXCEPT

a. by allowing the establishment of a national religion.
b. by exempting church property from taxes.
c. by installing a chaplain in the navy.
d. by opening each session of Congress with a prayer.

The distinction the Court has made between prayer in Congress or in State legislatures, and prayer in public schools, is based largely on

a. the religion of those being led in prayer.
b. the doctrine expressed in the prayer.
c. whether the prayer in any way threatens the public safety.
d. whether the prayer advances religion.

The ____ sets up the separation between church and state.

Government action seeking to curb ideas before they are expressed is called ____.

In Schenk v. United States __________________ was limited.
a. freedom of assembly
c. the right to bear arms
b. freedom of religion
d. free speech

What is the limitation placed upon journalists when printing a story?

a. prior restraint
c. slander
b. shield law
d. libel

Which of the following statements about prior restraint is TRUE?

a. Prior restraints are usually upheld by the Supreme Court.
b. The Constitution guarantees the right of prior restraint.
c. The Supreme Court has only rarely upheld prior restraints.
d. Prior restraints are necessary to prevent censorship.

What was the presidential power given by the Alien and Sedition Act?

a. power to imprison any person caught engaging in sedition speech
c. power to describe what is considered acceptable speech
b. power to bar any alien from applying for citizenship
d. power to deport undesirable aliens

What does seditious speech target?

a. talk of trying to recall a congressman
c. obscene language
b. talk of overthrowing the government
d. extreme religious speech

Seditious speech is speech that urges others to

a. disagree with the government in public.
b. vote against the government.
c. overthrow the government.
d. support the party out of power.

How is confidentiality protected for a reporter when trying to uncover unfavorable information?
a. justice review
c. confidentiality clause
b. shield law
d. journalist law

Reporters use which of the following to argue against being forced to testify in court or to reveal their sources?

a. the prohibition against seditious speech
b. the 1st Amendment guarantee of the free exchange of ideas
c. the prohibition of prior restraint
d. the 1st Amendment protection of the expression of unpopular views

In deciding cases involving laws against sedition, the Supreme Court has

a. developed the "clear and present danger" rule.
b. established the excessive entanglement standard.
c. upheld the Alien and Sedition acts of 1798.
d. upheld the constitutionality of all such laws.

Without this freedom there would be no political parties and no interest groups to influence the action of government.

a. freedom of religion
c. freedom to libel
b. freedom of assembly
d. freedom to slander

In the case of _______________, police actions were supported by the Supreme Court in their attempt to keep peace after a threat was made on the individual exercising his right to freedom of speech.

a. DeJonge v. Oregon
c. Adderly v. Florida
b. Gregory v. Chicago
d. Feiner v. New York

Holocaust survivors in Skokie illustrated a free speech and assembly problem called the
a. public veto law.
c. heckler's veto.
b. freedom of assembly veto.
d. parade permit law.

Which of the following is not a public assembly that has limits placed upon the event?

a. picketing
c. parades
b. private property displays
d. demonstrations

The Nazi demonstration in Skokie, Illinois was particularly explosive because many residents were survivors of this.

a. WW I
c. Wounded Knee
b. WW II
d. the Holocaust

The 1937 Supreme Court ruling in DeJonge v. Oregon established two legal principles involving which two amendments?

a. First and Fifth
c. First and Fourteenth
b. Fifth and Fourteenth
d. Second and Fifth

What is needed in order to be able to picket on public property?

a. at least 20 people
c. permits
b. controversial topic
d. pay a fee in order to have that right

Labor unions have the right to

a. veto public law.
c. use the heckler's veto.
b. picket.
d. use violence when on strike.