Civics Final Exam

Question 1

Federalism

Answer 1

, a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states.

Question 2

Elastic Clause

Answer 2

Gives Congress the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers expressed in the other clauses of Article 1.
Called elastic because it lets Congress “stretch” its powers to meet situations the Founders could have never anticipated. This clause has often been disputed.

Question 3

Connecticut Compromise

Answer 3

1787 compromise by Roger Sherman that created a bicameral Congress of the Senate, where each state has two senators, and the House of Representatives, in which the number of representatives is based on population.

Question 4

Establishment clause

Answer 4

Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.

Question 5

Supremacy Clause

Answer 5

Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Question 6

Equal Protection Clause

Answer 6

A clause in the 14th Amendment which guarantees equal protection of all citizens of the U.S.

Question 7

Filibuster

Answer 7

– An action in the Senate in which a senator holds up passage of a bill by “talking it to death”.

Question 8

Checks and Balances

Answer 8

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Question 9

4th Amendment

Answer 9

Protects against illegal searches and seizures

Question 10

1st Amendment

Answer 10

– to ensure freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, the press, and petition

Question 11

5th Amendment

Answer 11

Provides “Due Process”, protects against double jeopardy and protects against self incrimination (testifying against yourself)

Question 12

6th Amendment

Answer 12

Provides right to Fair and Speedy Trial and the right to have a lawyer

Question 13

8th Amendment

Answer 13

Prohibits excessive bail, cruel, and unusual punishments

Question 13

22nd Amendment

Answer 13

Limits President to two terms

Question 14

Veto

Answer 14

refuse to sign it.

Question 15

Pocket Veto

Answer 15

When a President takes no action on a bill, and Congress ends its session within ten days.

Question 16

Due Process

Answer 16

Following established legal procedures.

Question 17

Apportionment

Answer 17

The process to determine every ten years how many Representatives each state can have in Congress.

Question 18

Brown v. Board

Answer 18

1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.

Question 19

Miranda v. Arizona

Answer 19

Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.

Question 20

Mapp v. Ohio

Answer 20

Incorporated a portion of the 4th Amendment by establishing that illegally obtained evidence cannot be used at trial, forbids unreasonable search and seizures.

Question 21

Texas v. Johnson

Answer 21

A 1989 case in which the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the grounds that such action was symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

Question 22

Marbury v. Madison

Answer 22

This case establishes the Supreme Court’s power of Judicial Review

Question 23

Heller v. District of Columbia

Answer 23

Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self- defense within the home.

Question 24

Bill of Rights

Answer 24

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Question 25

Incorporation

Answer 25

the application of the rights in the amendments to the states

Question 25

Liberalism

Answer 25

A philosophy that tends to favor greater government interaction, especially in economic affairs.

Question 26

Conservation

Answer 26

A philosophy that tends to favor limited government interaction, especially in economic affairs.

Question 27

Midterm Election

Answer 27

Congressional elections in the middle of a President’s term.

Question 28

Closed Primary

Answer 28

an election where only members of that party can participate.

Question 29

What are suffrage amendments

Answer 29

Amendments dealing with voting rights

Question 30

What amendments are suffrage amendments

Answer 30

15, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26

Question 31

How does a bill become a law

Answer 31

Both houses of Congress pass a bill. It goes to the President. The President signs it into law. If the President vetoes the bill, the Congress can override the veto by a two-thirds vote of each house.

Question 32

What is the main job of the president

Answer 32

to execute, or carry out, the laws passed by Congress.

Question 33

Other jobs of president

Answer 33

Veto bills passed in Congress
Call Congress into special session (State of the Union)
Serve as Commander in Chief of the armed forces
Receive leaders of other countries
Make treaties with Senate approval
Appoint heads of executive agencies, federal judges, ambassadors with Senate approval
Pardon or reduce penalties of people convicted of federal crimes.

Question 34

What are the 7 Roles of the president

Answer 34

1. CHIEF EXECUTIVE
2. CHIEF DIPLOMAT
3. COMMANDER IN CHIEF
4. LEGISLATIVE LEADER
5. HEAD OF STATE
6. ECONOMIC LEADER
7. PARTY LEADER

Question 35

Briefly describe how an amendment can be made to the Constitution

Answer 35

Approved by Congress by 2/3 vote, and by a 3/4 vote of the State Legislatures

Question 36

Identify and, explain, two amendments (not in the Bill of Rights) that increased the democratic rights of citizens.

Answer 36

15th Amendment - Gave voting rights to former slaves.
19th Amendment – Gave women the right to vote.

Question 37

Comparing The Articles of Confederation to the Constitution

Answer 37

Articles of Confederation -
Congress of one house with equal
representation of 13 states has power to:
Pass laws by vote of 9 states
Declare war
Coin and borrow money
Make treaties
Amend Articles if all
13 states agree

Constitution -
Pass laws by majority vote
Declare war
Coin and borrow money
Approve treaties
Amend Constitution by 2/3 vote in both
houses and approval by 3/4 of states
Tax
Regulate commerce
Confirm presidential appointments
Congress of one house with equal
representation of 13 states has power to:
Pass laws by vote of 9 states
Declare war
Coin and borrow money
Make treaties
Amend Articles if all
13 states agree
President chosen by electors has power to:
Enforce laws
Make treaties
Command armed
forces
No executive branch
CONSTITUTION ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Supreme Court and lower federal courts
have power to:
Interpret laws
Settle disputes between states

Question 38

How are federal judges appointed?

Answer 38

nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Question 39

What were the differences between the positions of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Answer 39

Those who supported the Constitution and a stronger national republic were known as Federalists. Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in favor of small localized government were known as Anti-Federalists.

Question 40

4. How is representation in the Congress determined?

Answer 40

Each state sends two Senators to represent their state in the U.S. Senate. However, in the House of Representatives, a state’s representation is based on its population.

Question 41

2. What are the differences in the legislative process in the House and the Senate?

Answer 41

In general, House rules and practices allow a numerical majority to process legislation relatively quickly. Senate rules and procedures, on the other hand, favor deliberation over quick action, as they provide significant procedural leverage to individual Senators.