Poli-Sci Citizenship Test Flashcards by Sofie Albers

What is the supreme law of the land?

▪ the Constitution

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What does the Constitution do?

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

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

▪ We the People

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. What is an amendment?

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

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

▪ the Bill of Rights

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What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government

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How many amendments does the Constitution have?

▪ twenty-seven (27)

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What did the Declaration of Independence do?

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

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What are the two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

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What is freedom of religion?

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

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What is the economic system in the United States?*

▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy

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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.

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Name one branch or part of the government.*

▪ Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts
▪ judicial

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What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers

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Who is in charge of the executive branch?

▪ the President

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Who makes federal laws?

▪ Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature

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What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)

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How many U.S. Senators are there?

▪ one hundred (100)

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We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

▪ six (6)

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Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?

▪ Deb Fisher
▪ Pete Ricketts

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The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)

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We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

▪ two (2)

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Name your U.S. Representative.

▪ Adrian Smith

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Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

▪ all people of the state

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

▪ (because of) the state’s population ▪ (because) they have more people ▪ (because) some states have more people

We elect a President for how many years?

▪ four (4)

In what month do we vote for President?*

▪ November

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

▪ Joe Biden

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

▪ Kamala Harris

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 Chief 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 the 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 are on the Supreme Court?

▪ nine (9)

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

▪ John Roberts

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

▪ to print money ▪ to declare war ▪ to create an army ▪ to make treaties

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

▪ provide schooling and education ▪ provide protection (police) ▪ provide safety (fire departments) ▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use

Who is the Governor of your state now?

▪ Jim Pillen

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

▪ Democratic and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

▪ Democrats

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

▪ Kevin McCarthy

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). ▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. ▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) ▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

▪ serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election

Name one right only for United States citizens.

▪ vote in a federal election ▪ run for federal office

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

▪ freedom of expression ▪ freedom of speech ▪ freedom of assembly ▪ freedom to petition the government ▪ freedom of religion ▪ the right to bear arms

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

▪ the United States ▪ the flag

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

▪ give up loyalty to other countries ▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States ▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) ▪ be loyal to the United States

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

▪ eighteen (18) and older

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote ▪ join a political party ▪ help with a campaign ▪ join a civic group ▪ join a community group ▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue ▪ call Senators and Representatives ▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy ▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

▪ April 15

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

▪ at age eighteen (18) ▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

▪ The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

When was the Constitution written?

▪ 1787

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

▪ (James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius