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Level IV Social Studies Civics Blizzard Bag 2014 - 2015
1. In the United States government, which of the following would have the power to send
soldiers to a foreign country but does not have the power to declare war?
A. Attorney General
B. President
C. Congress
D. Supreme Court
2.
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
—Lord Acton, 1887
What is the main idea of the quote above as it relates to limited and unlimited governments?
A. Unlimited governments will exert less control over individuals.
B. Unlimited governments will inherently be corrupt governments.
C. Unlimited governments tend to be successful at retaining power.
D. Unlimited governments often have the support of their citizens.
3. In general, most Americans believe the government is responsible for
A. providing individuals with wealth.
B. sharing the wealth with other nations.
C. staying entirely out of the way.
D. protecting the rights of individuals.
4. Which of the following is an example of American democracy?
A. A student goes to the library to study.
B. A developer builds a new office building.
C. The U.S. Postal Service delivers everyone's mail.
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D. A new bill is voted on in Congress.
5. Which political principle is located in the Bill of Rights?
A. consent of the governed
B. right of states to secede from the union
C. freedom of religion
D. separation of powers
6. A constitution is the foundation for a nation's government. This means that it is
A. the evidence that a nation exists.
B. the highest government authority.
C. a list of every law in the nation.
D. a summary of important beliefs.
7. How does the U.S. Constitution reflect the democratic principle of rule of law?
A. The Constitution allows for impeachment to remove politicians from their offices.
B. The Constitution insures that laws are applied equally to all citizens.
C. The Constitution limits the power of political offices by imposing term limits.
D. The Constitution clearly outlines the duties and powers of state governments.
8. In which situation would the government's ability to provide social order be necessary?
A. Nathan wants to buy a new house that is out of his price range.
B. Terry would like his child to attend a small, private school.
C. Chuck is suing Charlotte for damages after an automobile accident.
D. Sam needs to collect unemployment after she is fired from her job.
9. Which of these is provided by the federal, state, and local government?
A. the creation of a national welfare program
B. the providing of local law enforcement
C. the protection of citizens' rights
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D. the appointing of federal judges
10. The ability of each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches is called
A. executive privilege
B. constitutional rights
C. separation of powers
D. checks and balances
11. Which convention of American government reflects the principle of popular sovereignty?
A. Persons charged with a crime are guaranteed the right to a trial by a jury of their
peers.
B. The president of the United States is elected to office by the Electoral College,
made of representatives from each state.
C. The House of Representatives is composed of individuals elected every two years
directly by the people.
D. The president is commander in chief of the United States military.
12. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that
Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried,
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of
two thirds of the Members present.
Because of the principle of _______, the Constitution states that Congress can impeach a sitting
President if he or she behaves in an unlawful manner.
A. checks and balances
B. separation of powers
C. republicanism
D. federalism
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13. Which passage from the U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of checks and balances?
W. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall,
before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he
shall sign it, but if not he shall return it.
X. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by
the People of the several States.
Y. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be
ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.
Z. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think
proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight
hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten
dollars for each Person.
A. Z
B. X
C. W
D. Y
14. The United Kingdom is an example of a constitutional government that does not have a
single, written constitution. In governments like this,
A. there is an oral constitution based on national traditions.
B. constitutional matters are decided by the prime minister.
C. most political questions are decided by a popular vote.
D. each law passed is considered part of the constitution.
15. Collectivism is a political or social stance that values human interdependence and group
affiliation. Which characteristic of American culture relates most to collectivism?
A. patriotism
B. self reliance
C. civil liberties
D. religious freedom
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