Jefferson and Locke's ideas reflect American ideas about the purpose and role of government. What
belief do their ideas demonstrate?
a. Government exists to serve the individual.
b. Government exists to serve the church.
c. The individual exists to serve the government.
d. The individual exists to serve superior men.
Who is considered to be the "Father of the Constitution"?
a. James Madison
b. John Adams
c. George Washington
d. Thomas Jefferson
How was the idea of having three branches of government significant in the development of the US
Constitution?
a. power is balanced among the branches
b. guaranteed presidential elections
c. states were given individual powers
d. representation in the House is based on population
Implied powers are a very important part of the Constitution. What are implied powers?
a. not listed, but required by the federal government to carry out expressed powers as needed
b. presidential and congressional powers listed specifically in the Constitution
c. powers shared by the federal and state governments
d. powers held by the governors' association of the United States
Periodically, a census is taken to determine how many representatives each state has in the House of
Representatives. How often does the Constitution require a census to be taken?
a. every two years
b. every five years
c. every ten years
d. every 100 years
How many states are required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution?
a. three-fourths
b. a simple majority
c. two-thirds
d. four-fifths
Which of the following prohibits the government from unduly interfering with religious freedom?
a. the free exercise clause
b. the precedent clause
c. judicial review
d. checks and balances
What does the "social contract" require?
a. people give their power to the government for the benefit of the people
b. government has all the power over the governed
c. everyone must agree on who will lead the local, state, and national governments
d. some people are chosen by a higher being to rule
What power does the legislative branch have that the executive and judicial branches do not?
a. passing laws
b. interpreting laws
c. implementing laws
d. enforcing laws
What happened as a result of the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v. Madison?
a. The Supreme Court has the final say on whether or not a law is constitutional.
b. The Supreme Court cannot enter a dispute between Congress and the president.
c. The president ignored the decision causing judicial power to decline sharply.
d. New territory could be added to the US as a result of the elastic clause.
How does a judicial review limit the power of government?
a. Acts of Congress, the President, and states can be declared unconstitutional.
b. Presidential appointments to the lower courts can be rejected.
c. The president is given the authority to overturn the opinions of the court.
d. Congress may overturn Supreme Court decisions.
What are the two most common political labels in the United States?
a. conservative and liberal
b. liberal and socialist
c. conservative and libertarian
d. communitarian and green
Which of the following is a difference between civil and criminal cases?
a. Only criminal cases may result in a sentence of jail time
b. Only criminal cases allow the defendant a trial by a jury of his/her peers.
c. Only civil cases have a prosecutor.
d. Only civil cases deal with a violation of laws.
Which quote from the Constitution institutes a federal system of government?
a. "The powers not delegated to the United States…are reserved to the states…"
b. "He shall have power…with the advice and consent of the Senate…and shall appoint…"
c. "Every bill…shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States…"
d. "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of
every other state."
Which portion of the Constitution explains why it was written?
a. the Preamble
b. articles
c. amendments
d. Bill of Rights