Mrs. Neff’s Mid-Term Exam Study Guide – Just a FEW reminders from your past!
CE.2a – Matching.
1. _____: The people are the source of any and all governmental power.
A. Representative government
2. _____: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people
B.
Limited government
C.
Democracy
have given it the power to do.
3. _____: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those
who are governed.
D. Consent of the governed
4. _____: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
5. _____: In a representative system of government, the people elect public
E.
Rule of law
officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.
CE.2b – Matching.
6. _____: guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.
A. Virginia Statute of Religious
Freedom
7. _____: served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution.
8. _____: stated grievances against the king of Great Britain, declared the
B.
Virginia Declaration of Rights
C.
Declaration of Independence
colonies’ independence, affirmed “certain unalienable rights,” and
established the idea that all people are equal under the law.
9. _____: established the first form of national government for the
independent states, maintained that major powers resided with individual
states, created a weak central government (no power to tax or enforce
laws), and led to writing of U.S. Constitution.
10. _____: stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions.
D. U.S. Constitution
E.
Articles of Confederation
F.
Charters of the Virginia
Company of London
11. _____: established the structure of the U.S. government, guaranteed equality
under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected,
affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people, and protected the
freedoms of religion, assembly, speech, press, and petition.
CE.2c – Fill in the blanks.
The __________________________ of the U.S. Constitution sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government and
expresses the reasons it was written.
Purposes of U.S. Government:
 To form a more perfect ________________ (get the states to come together as one nation)
 To establish ___________________ (a legal system where everyone would be treated the same)
 To ensure ____________________________________ (a peaceful home/nation)
 To provide for the common ______________________ (military)
 To promote the __________________________________ (take care of people in need)
 To secure the ________________ of ________________ (make sure we can keep our freedoms)
Why are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution, “We the People?” ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CE.2d – Which amendment process is for the U.S. Constitution and which one is for the Virginia constitution?
CE.3a - BECOMING A U.S. CITIZEN
A ________________________ is an individual with certain rights and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice,
owes allegiance to that government.
The ________ Amendment to the Constitution defines citizenship: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.”
The two means of obtaining citizenship are _______________________ and _____________________________________________.
TH
Immigration and naturalization, particularly in the 20 century, have led to an increasingly diverse society.
To become a citizen through naturalization, a person must:
 demonstrate knowledge of American

the ability to
,
____
and
_____
, and
st
_
____
______
th
Which Amendment matches with the following statements? (1 or 14 )
________ 1. Individuals may peacefully gather.
________ 2. Defines citizenship.
________ 3. Individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs.
________ 4. Individuals have the right to make their views known to public officials.
________ 5. Extends the due process protection to actions of the states.
________ 6. Government may not establish an official religion, nor endorse, or unduly interfere with the
free exercise of religion
and
in English.
Civic Duty or Responsibility? Write a D or R.
______ 1. OBEY LAWS
______ 2. RESPECT OTHER'S RIGHTS TO AN EQUAL VOICE
______ 3. PARTICIPATE IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
______ 4. COMMUNICATE WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
______ 5. SERVE IN THE ARMED FORCES IF CALLED
______ 6. REGISTER TO VOTE
______ 7. PAY TAXES
______ 8. KEEP INFORMED REGARDING CURRENT ISSUES
______ 9. SERVE ON A JURY OR AS A WITNESS IN COURT
______ 10. SERVE IN VOLUNTARY, APPOINTED POSITIONS
CE.5b - SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF POLITICAL PARTIES
A
-party system characterizes the American political process.
Although
parties rarely win elections, they play an
important role in public politics.
Similarities between parties
 Organize to
elections
 Influence public policies
 Reflect
liberal and conservative views
 Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by
appealing to the political ________________________
Differences between parties
 Stated in a party's platform and reflected in campaigning
Third parties
 Introduce new ideas or press for a particular issue
 Often revolve around a political personality (e.g.,
Theodore Roosevelt)
CE.5a
CE.5d - CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND COSTS
Running for political office is __________________________________.
Rising campaign costs
 Require candidates to conduct extensive _______________________________________________activities
 Limit opportunities to run for public office
 Give an advantage to ______________________________ individuals who run for office
 Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs) - Think “Packs of Money!”
 Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence
o NRA
o PETA
o League of Women Voters
Campaign finance reform
 Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to _________________________ campaign finance laws.
 ____________________ have been placed on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns.
CE.5e - VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION
Voting is a basic responsibility of citizenship.
Voter ________________________________________
is required before a citizen may vote.
The number of citizens who register & vote is related to
how important election issues are to citizens.
Only citizens who register can participate in primary and
general elections.
Qualifications to register to vote in Virginia
 Citizen of the United States

Resident of Virginia and precinct

years of age by day of general
election
___________________________ is used to select the
How to register in Virginia
 In person at the registrar's office, at the Division
of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites
 By mail-in application
Registration is closed
elections.
CE.5f - THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
The__________________________________________
President and Vice President of the United States.
Electoral College process
 The slate of electors for each state is chosen by
days before
Factors in predicting which citizens will vote
 A= ____________________________________

E= ____________________________________

I = ____________________________________
Why citizens fail to vote

Lack of _________________________________

Failure to _______________________________
vote.

Most states have a winner-take-all system.

The
meet to
vote for President and Vice President.

The _____________________-take-_________
system leads to the targeting of large states for
campaigning, although candidates must pay
attention to small states whose electoral votes
may make the difference in tight elections.
The number of electors of each state is based on the
size of the state’s _____________________________
The percentage of voters who participate in presidential
____________________________________, which is
elections is usually _________________ than the
based on the state’s population.
percentage of voters who participate in state and local
elections.
Every vote is important.
The requirements for a majority vote to win in the
Electoral College favors a
-party system.
CE.5 Review
1____ POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES
A. Ran as a third party candidate
2____ CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS
B.
Where to register
3____ LACK OF INTEREST; FAILURE TO REGISTER
C.
Rarely win elections but play important role
4____ 22 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION
D. Process used to select the President and Vice President
5____ IN A TIGHT RACE, THE ELECTORAL VOTES
OF SMALL STATES MAY MAKE THE
DIFFERENCE.
E.
Voter registration ends
6____ REGISTER
F.
Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform these
7____ THIRD PARTIES
G. How the “winner take all” system affects campaigning
8____ THE STATE’S CONGRESSIONAL
REPRESENTATION
H. American political process is characterized by this kind of system
9____ FUNCTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
I.
The high cost of getting elected gives these candidates an
advantage
10____ KNOWLEDGE OF AMERICAN HISTORY;
ABILITY TO SPEAK AND WRITE ENGLISH
J.
Determines the number of electors given to each state
11____ CANDIDATES TARGET LARGE STATES
WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF
ELECTORAL VOTES
K.
Why citizens often fail to vote
12____ THEODORE ROOSEVELT (BULL MOOSE
PARTY)
L.
Why candidates pay any attention to small states
13____ WEALTHY CANDIDATES
M. Each state gives all electoral votes to one candidate
14____ AGE, EDUCATION, INCOME
N. Recruiting & nominating candidates; Educating the electorate
about campaign issues; Helping candidates win elections;
Monitoring actions
15____ MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN, A VA
RESIDENT, 18 YRS OLD
O. To become a citizen through naturalization, a person demonstrate
this
16____ TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
P.
17____ ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Q. Qualifications to register to vote in Virginia
18_____AT THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, THE DMV;
BY MAIL
R.
Factors predicting which citizens will vote
19____ WINNER TAKE ALL SYSTEM
S.
What a citizen is required to do before voting
PACs - Raise money for candidates
CE.6a – Write L for LEGISLATIVE; E for EXECUTIVE; J for JUDICIAL
CE.6/7/8a– Which level? National? State? Local?
_____1. President
_____1. Governor
_____2. U.S. Supreme Court
_____2. Mayor
_____3. Lawmakers
_____3. School Board
_____4. Tries cases involving the laws
_____4. Congress
_____5. Carries out the laws
_____5. General Assembly
_____6. Approves the annual budget
_____6. President
_____7. Tries cases involving interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
_____7. House of Delegates
_____8. Decides what the laws mean
_____8. House of Representatives
_____9. U.S. Congress
_____9. Sheriff
_____10. Executes the laws
_____10. Lieutenant Governor
_____11. Declares war
_____11. Expressed powers
_____12. Administers federal bureaucracy
_____12. Reserved powers
_____13. Federal Courts
_____13. Conducts foreign policy
_____14. Raises revenue through taxes and other levies
_____14. Promotes public health, safety, and welfare
_____15. Appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges
_____15. Commissioner of revenue
_____16. Exercises the power of judicial review
_____16. Board of Supervisors
Judicial
Executive
Legislative
CE.6, 7, and 8 – The Branches and Levels of Government
National
State
U.S. Congress
General Assembly
Local
County: Board of Supervisors
City: City Council
U.S.
Senate
U.S. House of
Representatives
VA
Senate
VA House of
Delegates
Town: Town Council
County: Board of Supervisors
President
Governor
City: Mayor
Town: Mayor
U.S. Supreme Court
Virginia Supreme Court
State Courts
Court of Appeals
Circuit Courts
District Courts
Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts
The Federal Court System
Directions
1. Place the following letters on the
lines pointing to the correct courts.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Circuit Court
U.S. Court of Appeals
General District Court
Virginia Supreme Court
U.S. District Court
Virginia Court of Appeals
Juvenile and Domestic
Relations District Court
H. U.S. Supreme Court
2. Place the following letters in the
spaces of the courts to indicate their
jurisdictions.
The Virginia Court System



O = Original
A = Appellate
B = Both
3. Place a smiley face  in the spaces
of the courts where you can have a
trial with a jury.
4. Place a check mark in the spaces
of the courts where the judges are
called justices.
5. How many justices are on the U.S.
Supreme Court? __________
6. What do the thick gray arrows
symbolize on the Virginia Court
System chart? __________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
CE.10 – Short Answer
1. What document is the jurisdiction and organization of the federal court system based on?
2. What document is the jurisdiction and organization of the Virginia court system based on?
3. What does it mean to say the U.S. Supreme Court has the power of judicial review?
4. What is the name of the famous legal case that established the power of judicial review at the federal level?
5. Put these steps of a criminal case in proper order: trial; arrest; arraignment; bail hearing; appeals.
6. Put these steps of a civil case in proper order: appeals; response by defendant; complaint filed by plaintiff; trial.
7. Who is the defendant in a criminal court case? in a civil court case?
criminal =
civil =
8. Who is the plaintiff in a civil court case?
9. Who is always the plaintiff in a criminal court case?
10. What three things happen at the arraignment if you are arrested and accused of a crime?
1.
2.
3.
11. What is the term for the level of evidence officials need to make an arrest or obtain a search warrant?
12. What does the legal phrase "due process" or "due process of law" mean?
13. Which Amendment requires the national (federal) government to follow due process?
14. Which Amendment requires state and local governments to follow due process?