Civics test Flashcards
1
Q
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
A
We are People
2
Q
What is an amendment?
A
a change (to the Constitution) an addition (to the Constitution)
3
Q
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
A
the Bill of Rights
4
Q
What is the ONE right of the freedom from the First Amendment
A
Speech
5
Q
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
A
27
6
Q
What did the declaration if Independence do?
A
-declared our independence (from Great Britain)
7
Q
What are TWO rights in the Declaration of Independence?
A
- life
- liberty
8
Q
What is freedom of religion?
A
you can practice any religion, or not practice a religion
9
Q
What is the economic system in the United States?
A
capitalist economy
10
Q
What is the “rule of law”
A
- everyone must follow the law
- leaders must obey the law
- Government must obey the law
- No one is above the law
11
Q
Name ONE branch or part of the govenment
A
Congress
12
Q
What stops ONE branch of government from becoming two powerful?
A
separation of powers
checks and balances
13
Q
What is the supreme law of the land?
A
the Constitution
14
Q
What does the Constitution do?
A
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
15
Q
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
A
the President
16
Q
Who makes federal laws?
A
- Congress
- Senate and House (of Representatives)
- (US or national) legislature
17
Q
What are TWO parts of the US Congress?
A
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
18
Q
How many senators are there?
A
100
19
Q
We select a US Senator for how many years?
A
6
20
Q
Who is ONE of your state’s US Senators?
A
Chuck Schumer
21
Q
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
A
435
22
Q
We elect US Representatives for how many years?
A
2
23
Q
Name your US Representatives
A
Richard Hanna
24
Q
Who does US Senator represents?
A
all people of the state
25
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
because of the state's population
26
We elect a President for how many years?
4
27
In what month do we vote for President?
November
28
What is the name of the President of the US now?
Obama
29
What is the name of the Vice President of US now?
Joe Biden(Vita, he was when Obama was, now you need to look it up)
30
If the President can no longer serve, who become President?
the Vice President
31
If both President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President
the Speaker of the House
32
Who is Commander and Chief of the military?
the President
33
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
34
Who vetoes bills?
the President
35
what does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the President
36
What are TWO Cabinet-level positions?
- Attorney General
| - Vice President
37
What does the judicial branch do?
- reviews law
- explains law
- resolves disagreements
- decides if a law goes against the Constitution
38
What is the highest court in the US?
the Supreme Court
39
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
40
Who is the Chief Justice of the US now?
John Roberts (look it up also)
41
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is ONE power of the federal government?
- to print money
| - to declare the war
42
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is ONE power of the states?
provide schooling and education
43
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Andrew Cuomo (he is the Governor of NY state, you need one from MA)
44
What is the capital of your state?
Albany
45
What are TWO major political parties in the US?
Democratic and Republican
46
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic Party
47
What is the name of the speaker of the House of Representatives now?
John Boehner (look it up as well)
48
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe ONE of them
Citizen 18 and older can vote
49
What is ONE responsibility that is only for US citizens?
vote in federal election
50
Name ONE right only for US citizens
vote in federal election
51
What are TWO rights of everyone living in the US?
freedom of speech
52
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
| the flag
53
What is ONE promise you make when you become a US citizen?
obey the law of the United States
54
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
18 and older
55
What are TWO ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
- vote
| - join a political party
56
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
57
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
between age 18 and 26
58
What is ONE reason colonist came to America?
freedom
59
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
60
What group of people where taken to America and sold for slaves?
Africans
61
Why did the colonists fight the British?
- because of high taxes
| - they didn't have self-government
62
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
63
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
64
There were 13 original states.Name THREE
- Massachusetts
- New York
- New Jersey
65
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written
| The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution
66
When was the Constitution written?
1787
67
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name ONE of the writers.
James Madison
68
What is ONE thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
US Diplomat
69
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington
70
Who was the first President?
George Washington
71
What territory did the US buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
72
Name ONE war fought by the US in the 1800s
Civil War
73
Name the US war between the North and the South
the Civil War
74
Name ONE problem that led to the Civil War
slavery
75
What was ONE important reason that Abraham Lincoln did?
freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
76
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
77
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women's rights
78
Name ONE war fought by the US in the 1900s
World War I
79
Who was President during World War I ?
Wilson
80
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II ?
Roosevelt
81
Who did US fought in World War II ?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
82
Before he was the President, Eisenhower was a general.What war was he in?
World War II
83
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the US?
Communism
84
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights movements
85
What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?
fought for civil rights for all Americans
86
What major event happened on Sept. 11, 2001, in the US
Terrorists attacked the US
87
Name ONE American Indian tribe in the US
Apache
Iroquois
Crow
88
Name ONE of the two longest rivers in the US
Mississippi
89
What ocean is on the West Coast of the US?
Pacific
90
What ocean is on the East Coast of the US?
Atlantic
91
Name ONE US territory
Puerto Rico
92
Name ONE state that borders with Canada
New York
Pennsylvania
Main
93
Name ONE states that borders Mexico
Texas
New Mexico
California
94
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
95
Where is the Stature of Liberty ?
New York (Harbor)
96
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
97
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
because there is one star for each state
98
What is the name of national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
99
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
100
Name TWO national US holidays
Christmas
| Thanksgiving
