Civics Test Flashcards
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects the basic rights of Americans
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What is an amendment?
- a change
* an addition
What do we call the first the amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment
- speech
- religion
- assembly
- press
- petition the government
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27 (twenty-seven)
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
• announced our independence
• declared out independence
• said that the United States is free
– (from Great Britain)
What are TWO rights in the Declaration of Independence
- life
- liberty
- pursuit of happiness
What is freedom of religion
You can practice any religion or no religion at all
What is the economic system in the United States?
- capitalist economy
* market economy
What is the “rule of law”?
- everyone must follow the law
- leaders must obey the law
- Government must obey the law
- No one is above the law
Name ONE branch or part of the government
- Congress
- legislative
- President
- executive
- the courts
- judicial
What stops ONE branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- checks and balances
* separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
Who makes federal laws?
- Congress
- Senate and House (of Representatives)
- legislature (US or National)
What are the TWO parts of the U.S. Congress
the Senate and House (of Representatives
How many U.S. Senators are there
100 (one hundred)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 (six)
Who is ONE of your state’s U.S Senators now?
- Thom Tillis
* Richard Burr.
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435 (four hundred thirty-five)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2 (two)
Name your U.S. Representative
Robert Pittenger
Who does a U.S. Senator represent
all the people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
based on the state’s populations
NOTE: The more people there are in a state the more Representatives there will be
We elect a President for how many years?
4 (four)
NOTE: The 22nd amendment established a 2 term limit (8 years) on the President
In what month do we vote for President
November
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Donald J. Trump
NOTE: the 45th President
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now
Mike Pence
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Cheif of the military?
the President
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
Who vetoes bills?
the President
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
advises the President
What are TWO Cabinet-level positions
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of Defense
- Secretary of Education
- Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Secretary of Homeland Security
- Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Secretary of Interior
- Secretary of Labor
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs
- Attorney General
- Vice President
What does the judicial branch do?
- reviews laws
- explains laws
- resolves disputes (disagreements)
- decides if a law goes against the constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
How many justices (judges) are on the Supreme Court?
9 (nine)
Who is the Cheif Justice (judge) of the United States
John G. Roberts Jr.