Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
Name:_____________________________________________
Date:________________________
1. The United States government is divided into three branches__executive, legislative, and judicial. The main job of
the legislative branch is to
A. carry out the laws.
B. veto laws that have been passed.
C. make the laws.
D. decide the meaning of laws.
2. The United States government is divided into three branches__executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch can
check the other branches, keeping a balance of power among them. Which of the following is an example of the
executive branch checking the legislative branch?
A. The President vetoes a bill from Congress.
B. The President states that a law is unconstitutional.
C. The Congress overrides the President's veto.
D. The Supreme Court states that a law is unconstitutional.
3. The early 1800s were a time of great change in the United States. Which of the following was the first to increase
trade and travel?
A. the automobile
B. the airplane
C. the railroad
D. the steamboat
4. The United States government is divided into three branches__executive, legislative, and judicial. The main job of
the judicial branch is to
A. decide the meaning of laws.
B. write and file laws.
C. carry out the laws.
D. make the laws.
5. Many people did not think the Constitution was complete and wanted to add a Bill of Rights. Why?
A. to give women the right to vote
B. to give states the right to tax their citizens
C. to protect the rights of slaves in the South
D. to protect the basic rights of American citizens
6. Which branch of government is responsible for making the laws?
A. executive
B. congressional
C. judicial
D. legislative
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
7. The Bill of Rights contains certain basic freedoms guaranteed to Americans. One is freedom of speech. Which of
the following is an example of freedom of speech?
A. John can voice his opinions about which presidential candidate he supports.
B. May can decide if she would like to attend a church this weekend.
C. Carlos can join a march against placing a road through the park.
D. Misti can read an article in the newspaper that discusses waste in government.
8. Which branch of government is responsible for deciding what the laws mean?
A. legislative
B. judicial
C. international
D. executive
9. After the French and Indian War, the Parliament of Great Britain passed new laws for the colonies. Some of the
laws were passed because Great Britain
A. was afraid the French would back the colonies.
B. was afraid many of the colonists would return to Britain.
C. needed the colonists to help pay for the war.
D. wanted the Native Americans to return to their lands.
10. The United States government is divided into three branches__executive, legislative, and judicial. The main job of
the executive branch is to
A. carry out the laws.
B. make the laws.
C. decide the meaning of laws.
D. write and file the laws.
11. During the 1700s, people in the American colonies had to grow or make most of the products that they used.
There were also people who were skilled as blacksmiths, gunsmiths, or silversmiths. These people were called
A. farmers.
B. artisans.
C. large landowners.
D. indentured servants.
12. The President of the United States vetoes a bill from Congress. This example of checks and balances shows the
A. judicial branch checking the legislative branch.
B. executive branch checking the legislative branch.
C. judicial branch checking the executive branch.
D. legislative branch checking the judicial branch.
13. Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773. This led to some colonists taking action, such as the Boston Tea Party.
What was the Boston Tea Party?
A. Colonists gave dinners to support the sale of tea.
B. Colonists dressed as Indians destroyed the tea.
C. Colonists bought tea from other countries.
D. Colonists started growing their own tea.
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
14. In 1776, the Continental Congress approved a statement that said governments do not have the right to take away
a citizen's "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness." What was this called?
A. Constitution
B. Common Sense
C. Articles of Confederation
D. Declaration of Independence
15. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was started by the Pilgrims and the Puritans. They started settlements because
they wanted to worship as they pleased. Which of the following BEST describes their ideas of worship?
A. Only people who believed as they do would be welcome.
B. Any person of any religious belief would be welcome.
C. Only white people who believed would be welcome.
D. Any person who had Christian beliefs would be welcome.
16. The English who settled in North America started colonies that stretched all along the Atlantic Coast. Which of
the following lists would BEST fit the Southern Colonies?
A. shipbuilding, cold winters, fish
B. tobacco, hot summers, rice
C. furs, Puritans, shipbuilding
D. Philadelphia, corn, Quakers
17. In 1765, the Parliament of Great Britain passed the Stamp Act. The purpose of this act was to
A. get rid of colonists who were willing to support the king.
B. raise money by passing a tax on tea, sugar, molasses, and rum.
C. get rid of French colonists in the Northern colonies.
D. raise money by passing a tax on newspapers and other paper documents.
18. At the beginning of the American Revolution Benedict Arnold was a general in the American Army. But during
the war he switched sides, joining the British army. Which group of people would have thought Benedict Arnold was
right to switch sides?
A. Patriots
B. Quakers
C. Loyalists
D. Mercenaries
19. During the 1700s, more and more women came to the British colonies in North America. Which statement BEST
describes women at this time?
A. Women could not vote.
B. Women could not have servants.
C. Women were involved in politics.
D. Women had the same rights as men.
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
20. There were many reasons why the Revolutionary War took place between Great Britain and the colonies in North
America. Some of the colonists were unhappy with "no taxation without representation." What did they mean by this?
A. The colonists should not be taxed unless they were represented in Parliament.
B. The colonists should not be taxed because they could not vote for the King.
C. The colonists should not be taxed unless the taxes were used in the colonies.
D. The colonists should not be taxed because no one should be taxed.
21. In 1777, the Articles of Confederation was a plan to unite the states. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
led to the writing of the
A. Declaration of Independence.
B. Constitution of the United States.
C. Mayflower Compact.
D. Monroe Doctrine.
22. The United States government is divided into three branches__executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch can
check the other branches to keep them balanced. Which of the following is an example of a legislative check over the
executive branch?
A. The president vetoes a bill from Congress.
B. The Congress overrides the president's veto.
C. The Congress states that a law is unconstitutional.
D. The Supreme Court states that a law is unconstitutional.
23. What event has been called "the shot heard round the world"?
A. the British shooting Paul Revere while he was on his midnight ride
B. the fighting that took place at the Boston Massacre
C. the shooting of General Cornwallis by George Washington at Yorktown
D. the fighting that took place at Lexington and Concord
24. Portuguese explorers rounded the southern tip of Africa, and Spanish explorers sailed west across the Atlantic.
Both countries were trying to find an all-water route to which land?
A. Asia
B. Atlantis
C. Australia
D. Antarctica
25. The British colonies in North America were grouped into three areas. One area was the Southern colonies. Which
statement about the Southern colonies is true?
A. The cold, dry winters prevented the planting of many crops.
B. The warm, wet summers were good for growing tobacco.
C. The lack of rivers and streams hurt crops and trade.
D. The long winters were good for trapping animals for their furs.
26. The President of the United States represents which branch of government?
A. legislative
B. executive
C. judicial
D. international
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
27. In 1754, war broke out between Great Britain and France. These two countries had colonies in North America. In
Europe it was known as the Seven Years War. When the fighting started in North America it was called the
A. French and Indian War.
B. Revolutionary War.
C. Civil War.
D. Mexican War.
28. The Articles of Confederation were the nation's first constitution, but they had to be replaced by the Constitution
of the United States. What was the major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A. The federal government was too weak.
B. The state governments were too weak.
C. Great Britain still could make laws for the colonies.
D. France did not accept the independence of the United States.
29. In the early 1770s, England made the American colonies pay many taxes. Some of these taxes were the sugar tax,
the stamp tax, and the tea tax. What did the colonists do because of these taxes?
A. The colonists started taxing British goods.
B. The colonists decided to trade only with France.
C. The colonists voted for a new king.
D. The colonists declared independence.
30. Why did thousands of settlers head west during the 1800s?
A. Life in the East was too boring.
B. The weather was nicer in the West.
C. The government was giving away free land.
D. They wanted to be the first to reach the Pacific Ocean.
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
Answer Key
1. C) make the laws.
2. A) The President vetoes a bill from Congress.
3. D) the steamboat
4. A) decide the meaning of laws.
5. D) to protect the basic rights of American citizens
6. D) legislative
7. A) John can voice his opinions about which presidential candidate he supports.
8. B) judicial
9. C) needed the colonists to help pay for the war.
10. A) carry out the laws.
11. B) artisans.
12. B) executive branch checking the legislative branch.
13. B) Colonists dressed as Indians destroyed the tea.
14. D) Declaration of Independence
15. A) Only people who believed as they do would be welcome.
16. B) tobacco, hot summers, rice
17. D) raise money by passing a tax on newspapers and other paper documents.
18. C) Loyalists
19. A) Women could not vote.
20. A) The colonists should not be taxed unless they were represented in Parliament.
21. B) Constitution of the United States.
22. B) The Congress overrides the president's veto.
23. D) the fighting that took place at Lexington and Concord
24. A) Asia
25. B) The warm, wet summers were good for growing tobacco.
26. B) executive
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Social Studies 3 (MillinerSS3)
27. A) French and Indian War.
28. A) The federal government was too weak.
29. D) The colonists declared independence.
30. C) The government was giving away free land.
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