American Government - A: Principles of American Democracy

Question 1

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

the Constitution

Question 2

What does the Constitution do?

Answer 2

• sets up the government
• defines the government
• protects basic rights of Americans

Question 3

The idea of self-government is in the first
three words of the Constitution. What are
these words?

Answer 3

We the People

Question 4

What is an amendment?

Answer 4

• a change (to the Constitution)
• an addition (to the Constitution)

Question 5

What do we call the first ten amendments
to the Constitution?

Answer 5

the Bill of Rights

Question 6

What is one right or freedom from the First
Amendment?

65/20 Civics Test Exemption:
If you are 65 years old or older and have been
a legal permanent resident of the United States
for 20 or more years, you may study just the
questions that have this footnote

Answer 6

• speech
• religion
• assembly
• press
• petition the government

Question 7

How many amendments does the
Constitution have?

Answer 7

• twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

What did the Declaration of Independence
do?

Answer 8

• announced our independence (from Great
  Britain)
• declared our independence (from Great
  Britain)
• said that the United States is free (from
  Great Britain)

Question 9

What are two rights in the Declaration of
Independence?

Answer 9

• life
• liberty
• pursuit of happiness

Question 10

What is freedom of religion?

Answer 10

• You can practice any religion, or not practice
  a religion.

Question 11

What is the economic system in the United
States?

65/20 Civics Test Exemption:
If you are 65 years old or older and have been
a legal permanent resident of the United States
for 20 or more years, you may study just the
questions that have this footnote

Answer 11

• capitalist economy
• market economy

Question 12

What is the “rule of law”?

Answer 12

• Everyone must follow the law.
• Leaders must obey the law.
• Government must obey the law.
• No one is above the law.