Civics Proficiency Exam

Question 1

Our civil liberties are found in:

Answer 1

the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and other constitutional amendments

Question 2

Jim Crow laws mandated

Answer 2

segregation of the races in most social relations

Question 3

The Apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians are commanded to

Answer 3

honor and respect political leaders, obey government because it is the right thing to do, and pray for political leaders

Question 4

The phrase “city on a hill” is often used in politics to express the

Answer 4

belief that the United States should serve as an example to other nations

Question 5

The United States Electoral College:

Answer 5

is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president

Question 6

The best one word definition of America’s government would be “___”.

Answer 6

republic

Question 7

Voter turnout in America is best described as:

Answer 7

somewhat low but cyclical, with more voters in presidential elections, but fewer otherwise

Question 8

The principle of popular sovereignty refers to

Answer 8

the idea that all political power is derived from the people

Question 9

How many branches are in the federal government?

Answer 9

3

Question 10

Thinking of political parties in America, it seems we generally have

Answer 10

two main parties that compete for influence

Question 11

The judicial branch of the federal government is described in Article _____ of the US Constitution

Answer 11

III

Question 12

The legislative branch of the federal government is described in Article ____ of the US Constitution.

Answer 12

I

Question 13

How does direct democracy differ from representative democracy?

Answer 13

Representative democracy is carried out by elected officials who make laws on behalf of the citizens, but direct democracy includes all citizens.

Question 14

The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court is:

Answer 14

John Roberts

Question 15

Scripture clearly teaches that…

Answer 15

government has the authority to use force to punish evil-doers

Question 16

In American government, the majority has the power to do whatever it wishes

Answer 16

False

Question 17

What part of the government has the power to declare war?

Answer 17

Congress

Question 18

The number of US Senators per state is:

Answer 18

equal, with each state having two members of the Senate

Question 19

Assuming good behavior, federal judges serve a term of…

Answer 19

life

Question 20

The Great (or Connecticut) Compromise at the constitutional convention provided for:

Answer 20

a bicameral legislature

Question 21

The executive branch of the federal government is primarily responsible for ___ the law.

Answer 21

enforcing and implementing

Question 22

The phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” is found in _____.

Answer 22

The Declaration of Independence

Question 23

The phrase that in America there should be a “wall of separation” between church and state appears in

Answer 23

Thomas Jefferson’s letters

Question 24

What are two possible reasons there has never been a major socialist movement in the United States?

Answer 24

support for economic competition and a distrust of central government authority

Question 25

According to the Bible, government derives its power and authority from ____.

Answer 25

God

Question 26

They believe that traditional values should be upheld even at a considerable cost to those citizens who disagree with those values. This does NOT describe what political party...

Answer 26

Liberals

Question 27

Which Supreme Court case ruled that racially segregated education was unconstitutional?

Answer 27

Brown v. Board of Education

Question 28

The number of US Representatives per state is:

Answer 28

determined by the state's population

Question 29

If no candidate wins a majority of the Electoral College vote, the Constitution stipulates that:

Answer 29

the US House of Representatives selects the President from the top three candidates

Question 30

Members of the House of Representatives are

Answer 30

elected directly by the people.

Question 31

Christians, according to the Bible, are able to disobey government...

Answer 31

when it commands believers to engage in sinful behavior

Question 32

Libertarians are opposed to governmental intervention...

Answer 32

in both the economic and social spheres

Question 33

The legislative branch of the federal government is primarily responsible for _____ the law.

Answer 33

writing

Question 34

The executive branch of the federal government is described in Article ____ of the US Constitution.

Answer 34

II

Question 35

Free enterprise or capitalism exists insofar as:

Answer 35

individual citizens create, exchange, and control goods and resources

Question 36

Who is the commander in chief of the US military?

Answer 36

President

Question 37

What are the two phases of most American elections

Answer 37

primary election and general election

Question 38

Which of the following accurately describes the President's veto power?

Answer 38

A President can threaten to veto the bill to influence decision making, because congress is usually unable to override a President's veto.

Question 39

The ____ prohibits Congress from creating a national religion.

Answer 39

establishment clause

Question 40

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 40

Thomas Jefferson

Question 41

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects all the freedoms EXCEPT

Answer 41

against self-incrimination

Question 42

According to the original Constitution, Senate terms are served for...

Answer 42

six years

Question 43

The judiciary's status as an independent branch of national government depends on judicial review, which grants the judiciary the authority to...

Answer 43

invalidate the actions of other branches of government.

Question 44

The theory of constitutional interpretation which holds that judges should look to how the Constitution was understood by those who wrote and ratified it is called

Answer 44

originalism

Question 45

A major distinction of the United States from other countries is a wide-spread belief in...

Answer 45

individual responsibility

Question 46

A conservative is opposed to government intervention...

Answer 46

in the economic but not in the social sphere

Question 47

Under Our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

Answer 47

Make treaties

Question 48

The judicial branch of the federal government is primarily responsible for_____ the law.

Answer 48

interpreting

Question 49

Which of the following are the inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 49

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Question 50

Which of the following is a formal constitutional requirement for becoming president?

Answer 50

One must be a natural-born citizen.