Final Exam Practice Test
United States Government
Directions- Please choose the best answer for each question below. You may submit
your answers to the enrichment activity for grading by your instructor.
1.
A Representative Democracy would best be described as: (4.05)
a. Citizens have an active role in making decisions.
b. The best government to make decisions quickly.
c. Ignoring the people’s needs.
d. Not very good at protecting civil rights.
2. The purpose of the census is to determine representation in the ____________. (3.06)
a. Senate
b. Supreme Court
c. House of Representatives
d. The Electoral College
3. Articles I, II, and III of the Constitution reflect which of the following principles? (2.02)
a. Amendment Process
b. Federalism
c. Rule of law
d. Separation of Powers
4. The US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 after the September 11th terrorist attacks and Iraq in
2003 reflects which type of foreign policy approach? (4.06)
a. Diplomacy
b. Isolation
c. Interventionism
d. Imperialism
5. All of the following are ways one can participate in a democratic society and influence policy
except : (3.04)
a. Participate in local government meetings
b. Running for elected office
c. Share opinions through media to raise awareness on the matter
d. Joining a Legislative Agenda Committee to remain politically involved
6. In a Direct Democracy, major laws are created by: (1.01)
a. A President
b. Elected Representatives
c. The Citizens
d. Judges
7. This committee are permanent and have a specific area of responsibility (3.01)
a. Ad hoc committee
b. Joint committee
c. Standing committee
d. Conference committee
8.
In which landmark case that narrowed the scope of the 6th amendment, did the Supreme Court
rule that denying assistance of legal counsel based on a defendant’s inability to pay was a
violation of his civil rights? (4.04)
a. Mapp v. Ohio
b. McCulloch v. Maryland
c. Roe v. Wade
d. Gideon v. Wainwright
9. The US has been an active member of the UN and organizations such as Peace Corps. What
foreign policy approach is used by the US as an active member of these organizations? (4.06)
a. Diplomacy
b. Isolation
c. Interventionism
d. Imperialism
10. Which portion of Congress is responsible for approving treaties made by the President? (3.01)
a. House of Representatives
b. Senate
c. Supreme Court
d. Speaker of the House
11. The Bill of Rights is important because it: (2.03)
a. Set forth the limits of the government
b. Stated the rights that the government had
c. Stated the rights that were given to the people
d. Stated how laws were to be enacted
12. According to the Constitution, giving a yearly State of the Union Speech is a duty of: (3.03)
a. The President
b. The House of Representatives
c. The Vice President
d. The Senate
13. Which below is a benefit of legal citizenship? (1.02)
a. You can go on vacation
b. You are able to get a job
c. You can get a driver’s license
d. You are eligible to vote
14. Those who support the election of federal judges don’t buy in to the thought that judges: (4.02)
a. Will rule based on their interpretation of the constitution
b. Will have to declare their affiliation with a political party
c. Might be swayed in their decisions by pressure to please the voters
d. Voters are not educated enough on the constitution to make this decision
15. Which of the following quotes best reflects the principle of popular sovereignty in the Declaration
of Independence? (2.01)
a. "Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes."
b. "He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our
legislatures."
c. "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed.”
d. “He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness
his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such
dissolutions, to cause others to be elected”
16. Suppose Congress passed a law preventing citizens from publicly disagreeing with government
officials, which the Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional. This is an example of (2.02)
a. Checks and Balances
b. Federalism
c. Reserved Powers
d. Rule of Law
17. Who can appoint officials to the federal bureaucracy with the approval of the Senate? (3.03)
a. The Vice President
b. The Governor of any state
c. The Speaker of the House
d. The President
18. Which is NOT a reason that US Supreme Court justices are appointed for life? (4.01)
a. So they don’t have to worry about keeping their job when making a decision
b. So they can focus on how they interpret the Constitution
c. So they don’t have to worry about public opinion influencing their decision
d. So they don’t have to raise money for reelection campaigns
19. This clause gives Congress the power to create laws not specifically declared in the Constitution:
(3.01)
a. Necessary and proper
b. Supremacy clause
c. Rubber band law
d. Propriety clause
20. The Great Compromise allowed for: (2.03)
a. Bicameral legislature based on population
b. A one state one vote system
c. Bicameral legislature based on population and a set number per state
d. Bicameral legislature based on a set number per state
21. Which of the following scenarios could appeal to the US Supreme Court? (4.01)
a. Anyone can appeal a case straight to the US Supreme Court
b. A case that has worked its way through the state appeals process to the Florida Supreme
Court, then US District Court
c. No one. The US Supreme Court is only for State cases
d. Someone who didn’t agree with their US District court case
22. Judicial review gave the Supreme Court the authority to overrule the idea of ‘separate but equal’
in which landmark case that paved the way for the integration of public facilities? (4.04)
a. Texas v. Johnson
b. Gideon v. Wainwright
c. Brown v. Board of Education
d. Marbury v. Madison
23. “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all
their forms.” - Article 4, Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Which human rights issue does this quotation address? (4.06)
a. Repressions of Political Dissent in Cuba
b. Human Trafficking in Thailand
c. Violence Against Women in Afghanistan
d. Prisoners’ Rights in Iran
24. When you are in the mood for some "Federalism Cake", and wish to have a piece that represents
the sharing of powers with "overlapping" swirls, what type of "Federalism Cake" would you order?
(2.04)
a. Marble Cake
b. German Chocolate Cake
c. Lemon Upside-Down Cake
d. Layer Cake
25. How does the media play an important role in the US Government? (3.05)
a. The media reports only what the government wants it to report
b. The media is controlled by the government
c. The media allows people to question their government and its policies
d. The media reports unbiased what the government is doing
26. Which of the following is an example of the use of reparations? (4.06)
a. Nazi officials and Japanese military officials were tried in international courts after WWII.
b. 40 years after Japanese Internment in the US, money was paid by the US Government to
compensate the survivors and heirs.
c. Organizations such as the Human Rights Watch were created to monitor government
policies for human rights abuse.
d. The United Nations was created after WWII to prevent future conflicts and to protect
human rights.
27. The right for the Justice Department to purchase computer systems to use to help fight crime
would be an example of: (2.04)
a. Implied Power
b. Delegated Power
c. Reserved Power
d. Super power
28. How has media changed over time? (3.05)
a. Media is harder to access and takes longer to transmit
b. Media is harder to access and is quicker to transmit
c. Media is easier to access and takes longer to transmit
d. Media is easier to access and is quicker to transmit
29. Which one of the following is an example of an economic policy? (3.02)
a. The government expanding social security payments to non-citizens.
b. The government declaring war on a foreign country.
c. The government raising the minimum wage.
d. The government building a new high school in our community.
30. Which
a.
b.
c.
d.
of the following is NOT true of US Supreme Court Justices: (4.01)
They are appointed by the president
They are confirmed by the House of Representatives
They are confirmed by the Senate
They serve for life
31. The Bill of Rights are: (2.05)
a. The first part of the US Constitution
b. The first amendment of the US Constitution
c. The first 10 amendments of the US Constitution
d. The last part of the US Constitution
32. The 13th amendment, which banned slavery and involuntary servitude, applied to those living
where? (4.04)
a. The northern states that made up the Union
b. The southern states under the Confederacy
c. All residents of the United States
d. Only those living in states that had not ratified the constitution
33. Which type of government policy addresses the impact of human activity on our planet? (3.02)
a. An economic policy
b. A social policy
c. A defense policy
d. An environmental policy
34. The bias of leaving out key information in a political message is (3.05)
a. Accuracy
b. Propaganda
c. Omission
d. Emotional appeal
35. The Declaration of Independence reflected the idea of natural rights because it (2.01)
a. listed specific problems and complaints against British rule
b. Said that a new government must form due to the king's tyranny
c. mentioned life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness as granted to all
d. was a collective act from all the colonies
36. Which of these would be an example of a positive externality? (3.02)
a. Sensitive wetlands were drained to build a new highway
b. Government subsidies convince FPL to replace dirty power plants with new greener
technology, thus improving air quality
c. The government switches from copper to zinc for producing our pennies
d. Two million trees were cut down to provide the paper for the new federal budget
37. Justice Taney’s ruling in the Dread Scott case established that: (4.02)
a. Citizenship was required for someone to petition the courts.
b. Citizenship should be granted to all former slaves living in the US
c. Judicial review could not be used when dealing with an issue over slavery
d. The president would appoint justices to the Supreme Court and the Senate would
approve the appointees.
38. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) was an important Supreme Court case involving federalism
because (2.04)
a. it ruled that the three branches of government were set up for checks and balances.
b. it established that supremacy of the federal government over the state governments by
ruling states cannot tax (destroy) the federal bank.
c. it established that states have supremacy over the federal government and that they can
tax (destroy) the national bank.
d. it ruled that states are allowed to use their own bank notes supporting the reserved
powers for states.
39. Voter turnout has been _____________ since the year 2000 while remaining ____________
when compared to other representative democracies. (3.06)
a. steadily increasing, high
b. steadily increasing, low
c. steadily declining, high
d. steadily declining, low
40. Please select the best phrase that most correctly identifies federalism: (2.04)
a. the government is divided into three branches
b. the first people to support the adoption of the Constitution, who argued for their ideas in
what today is called, "The Federalist Papers".
c. No one person or group is above the law and all must follow the Constitution.
d. City police, county sheriff, state highway patrol, FBI.
41. The bias of using strong statements and visual images that appeal to our personal values, beliefs,
and desires is (3.05)
a. Emotional appeal
b. Omission
c. Accuracy
d. Propaganda
42. Social Contract is a principle that is best reflected in the Declaration of Independence by which of
the following quotes? (2.01)
a. "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed.”
b. "For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury."
c.
"Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right
themselves."
d. "Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes."
43. Which of the following is an example of Federalism? (2.02)
a. Bicameral Legislature
b. Federalists and Anti-Federalists
c. Freedom of Speech
d. The Amendment Process
44. Which of the following best exemplifies a Representative Democracy? (1.01)
a. Individual Rights
b. Social Contract
c. Anarchy
d. Republic
45. What are the ways citizens can place a policy idea on the legislative agenda? (3.02)
a. Petition and Complaint
b. Letter-writing and Persuasion
c. Initiative and Referendum
d. Running for office themselves
46. Which requirement must be met first in order to start the US citizenship process? (1.02)
a. They must pass a test on US history and government
b. They need to be an individual of good and moral character
c. They must be a legal resident for five years
d. They must take the oath of allegiance
47. “The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second year by the
People of the several states…” This quote from the Constitution reflects which of the following
principles? (2.02)
a. Checks and Balances
b. Federalism
c. Republicanism
d. Rule of Law
48. Anti-Federalists wanted most of the power to reside with: (2.03)
a. The President
b. The Judiciary
c. The states
d. The national government
49. The organization and duties of the executive branch are describing in which article of the
constitution: (3.03)
a. I
b. II
c. III
d. IV
50. Groups that share common goals and work together to inform the American public as well as
persuade law makers are called: (3.04)
a. Political Action Groups
b. Legislative Focus Groups
c. Special Interest Groups
d. Democratic Action Committee
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51. The 6
a.
b.
c.
d.
(VI) amendment pertains to: (2.05)
The Right to Bear Arms
The Right to Political and Religious Freedom
The Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
Trial by Jury in a Civil Case
52. What is the difference between a “marble cake” and “layered cake” view of Federalism? (2.04)
a. In a “layered cake” the state and national governments do not cooperate on any level, in
a marble cake, there is no difference between the state and national governments.
b. In a “layered cake” state and national governments cooperate on everything and share
all laws, in a “marble cake” they are completely separate
c. In a “layered cake” state and national government have their own sovereign areas,
whereas in a “marble cake” they cooperate with each other to meet the needs of citizens
d. There is no difference between the two views.
53. A representative democracy is described as: (3.04)
a. A form of government where the people elect leaders to make decisions on their behalf,
sometimes called a republic
b. A form of government where the citizens vote directly on all matters
c. A form of government where the head of state will make all decisions, while taking into
account those opinions of the country’s elected representatives
d. A form of government where a small group of representatives, appointed by the
President, vote on all matters
54. Which of the following would NOT fall under Federal Court jurisdiction? (4.01)
a. Disputes about the Constitution
b. Disputes about immigration
c. Disputes about US law
d. Disputes about property
55. Which two of the following amendments to the US Constitution expanded voting rights by
eliminating restrictions based on race and gender? (4.04)
a. 2nd and 6th
b. 15th and 19th
c. 1st and 10th
d. 3rd and 9th
56. A person who considers themselves to have liberal views, would also say: (3.04)
a.
b.
c.
d.
“I find my views generally being right of center”
“I have never been in favor of expanding government programs”
“I tend to side with the Democratic party on most matters”
“I am a diehard Conservative”
57. The colonial argument of “no taxation without representation” reflects which principle? (2.01)
a. Social contract
b. Popular sovereignty
c. Natural rights
d. Federalism
58. The First amendment protects a person’s right to free: (2.05)
a. Speech
b. Press and Religious expression
c. Assembly and Petition
d. All of the above
59. Of the following, which is an example of the government affecting someone in their day to day
life? (1.01)
a. Monica has a flat tire on her car
b. Bob receives a parking citation
c. Emily participates in a beach clean-up day
d. Michelle has an disagreement with a co-worker
60. If a country is ruled by a monarchy, they have which type of government: (4.05)
a. republic
b. democracy
c. autocracy
d. Oligarchy
61. Lisa was born on US soil, meaning that she is a citizen via: (1.02)
a. Jus forfun
b. Jus sanguinis
c. Jus because
d. Jus soli
62. Individual Rights are __________. (2.05)
a. Not Absolute
b. Absolute in some cases
c. Absolute in all cases
d. Left to interpretation
63. “The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay
the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all
Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States” – US Constitution
This is an example of: (2.04)
a.
b.
c.
d.
An expressed power
A reserved power
Popular Sovereignty
An Executive order
64. Which of the following is an example of a positive aspect of the Articles of Confederation? (2.02)
a. Strong Central Government
b. Bicameral Legislature
c. Three equal branches of government
d. Listed some protection for rights
65. Gibbons v. Ogden was overturned by the US Supreme Court because (2.04)
th
a. State governments’ laws have precedence over federal laws because of the 10
Amendment and reserved powers.
b. The New York law was invalid because of the Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution
nd
c. The law violated the 2 Amendment to the Constitution
d. The law violated child labor laws
66. A Government in where the central Government directs all national policy. (4.05)
a. unitary
b. parliamentary
c. federation
d. Confederation
67. Who officially elects the president of the United States according to the U.S. Constitution? (3.06)
a. The Chief Justice
b. The popular vote
c. House of Representatives
d. The Electoral College
68. “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing
Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States,
or in any Department or Officer thereof.” – US Constitution
The necessary and proper clause creates what type of powers? (2.04)
a. Expressed powers
b. Implied powers
c. Delegated powers
d. Concurrent powers
69. A country with a government described as a democracy would (4.05)
a. have a single ruler such as a dictator.
b. Conduct regular elections to select representatives and officials
c. be run by a small group of people.
d. have a king or queen as their monarch.
70. A primary election is held to select the candidate that ______________, while a general election
is held to select the _____________. (3.06)
a. will represent a political party in the general election, the candidate who will hold office
b.
will represent a seat in the Electoral College in the general election, the candidate who
will hold office
c. will represent a state in the general election, the candidate who will hold office
d. will represent a congressional district in the general election, the candidate who will hold
office
71. Judicial review gave the judicial branch more power in the checks and balances as a result of:
(4.02)
a. Implied powers giving the judicial branch the right to rule on the constitutionality of a law
b. Marbury vs. Madison
c. The ruling on the case of Roe vs. Wade
d. Alexander Hamilton’s writings in the Federalist Powers
72. Which of the following best exemplifies that the government is only legitimate if it is allowed to
govern by the people? (1.01)
a. Social Contract
b. Limited Government
c. Rule of Law
d. Popular Sovereignty
73. Which of the following is NOT a requirement of the naturalization process? (1.02)
a. You must be 18 years of age of older
b. You have to volunteer 5 hours per week in your local community
c. You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English
d. You can’t have a serious criminal record in the US or your home country
74. Give an example of powers of the Legislative branch (3.01)
a. Coin currency
b. Declare War
c. Approve foreign treaties
d. All of the above
75. The Federalist Papers were written to: (2.03)
a. Argue for ratification of the Constitution
b. Address court cases
c. Argue for rejection of the Constitution
d. Argue for a return to monarchy
76. The Office of Health and Human Services is an example of: (3.03)
a. A congressional committee
b. A division of the Food and Drug Administration
c. A cabinet department that is part of the executive branch under the Constitution
d. an independent regulatory agency that is part of the legislative branch under the
Constitution
77. One of the most famous rulings of the Supreme court came when Justice Warren ruled: (4.02)
a. Separate but equal was a constitutional view
b. Earlier ruling supporting segregation were not constitutional
c. The federal government had the right to charter a bank in Maryland
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d. The 14 amendment was important to establishing citizenship
Essays
1. In one well written paragraph, explain why of Brown v Board of Education was a landmark case
and how it was significant in expanding civil rights.
2. A popular news channel runs a story about voting being “pointless” and “a waste of time”. In two
well written paragraphs, please argue for or against this topic and list 3 ways other than voting
that a citizen can participate in a democratic society and make a difference.
3. Hurricane Francis just struck your area and there is a state of emergency. The president has
called for certain restrictions to help promote safety in your area. In two well-developed
paragraphs, please explain why rights are not absolute and what limitations on natural rights you
feel would be relevant in this situation. Make sure you mention how the restrictions correspond to
the Bill of Rights.
4. In a well-developed paragraph, please explain which of the following principles you feel is most
important to our system of government, and give an example of how it is reflected in American
society: separation of powers, rule of law, limited government, or natural rights.