Practice Test

Question 1

Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?

Answer 1

Roman

Question 2

During the 6th century B.C.E, the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government between 2 assemblies + guaranteed certain political rights to all male citizens. How do these political reforms best illustrate how societies develop?

Answer 2

By limiting government authority

Question 3

A certain country is characterized by the following traits:

1. Power achieved through inheritance
2. Same ruling family for over a century
3. Finite freedoms + rights
4. Hierarchical social status
5. Single established state religion

The establishment + maintenance of these traits is based on which of the following principles?

Answer 3

Divine rights of Kings

Question 4

Which modern democratic concept practiced in the U.S. is most like the democratic process of ancient Greece?

Answer 4

The Referendum

Question 5

What is the principal function of a written constitution?

Answer 5

Outlining the structure and powers of a government

Question 6

Which of the following objectives best describes the purpose of the system of checks + balances, as defined in the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 6

Keeping any one of the 3 branches of government from becoming too powerful

Question 7

Which modern process would be supported by the ancient Greeks?

Answer 7

Electing Governors

Question 8

Laws against defamation, including libel + slander, property damage + breach of contract represent which legal concern underlying most western nations?

Answer 8

Civil Law

Question 9

Use the passage below, from an exchange between former president Nixon + a television interviewer, to answer the question that follows.

“Well, when the president does it, that means it is not illegal.” - Richard M. Nixon

Which constitutional principle does the statement from president Nixon contradict?

Answer 9

Rule of Law

Question 10

Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?

Answer 10

Republic

Question 11

Use the provided preamble to the U.S. Constitution to answer the question.

“We the people of the United States, in order to more a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, + secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves + our posterity, do ordain + establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Which of the following statements best describes the preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 11

Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule

Question 12

The U.S. Congress fulfilled which of the following purposes of government when it declared war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Answer 12

Providing for the common defense

Question 13

Which circumstance would require a search warrant?

Answer 13

Examining the contents of a hotel room

Question 14

In which United States, which of the following is permitted to citizens by the right of freedom of assembly?

Answer 14

The right to demonstrate

Question 15

A man is walking down a public street window-shopping. A robbery is reported in that same area. Police officers stop + search the man who is shopping. On what constitutional grounds could this man contest this search as a violation of his rights?

Answer 15

Fourth Amendment

Question 16

In the United States, how are conflicts between state laws + federal laws generally resolved?

Answer 16

The conflict must be resolved using supremacy clause

Question 17

Which article of the U.S. Constitution grants the power to coin money, make treaties, + levy import duties?

Answer 17

Article 1

Question 18

Use the scenario below to answer the question that follows.

“A suspect is accused of a crime in one state + flees to another state where they are apprehended. The state is very slow in returning the suspect to the state of origin + keeps them imprisoned. “

Which of the following represents a suitable petition for the suspect in this situation, in regard to their constitutional rights?

Answer 18

Petition for a writ of habeas corpus

Question 19

Which phrase best describes the power of impeachment?

Answer 19

The ability of the U.S. House to charge federal officers with a crime or violation

Question 20

Use the excerpt below, from the declaration of independence, to answer the question that follows.

“He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures. “

Which constitutional provision was inspired by the above complaint?

Answer 20

The 3rd amendment limits the quartering of soldiers to specific circumstances.

Question 21

Use the passage below, from a historical document, to answer the question that follows.

“We the people of the United States, in order to more a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, + secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves + our posterity, do ordain + establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Which philosophical movement best reflects the ideals in the passage?

Answer 21

Enlightenment

Question 22

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “

Which of the following documents influenced the aims + strategies of the authors of the declaration of sentiments?

Answer 22

Declaration of Independence

Question 23

Which political philosopher’s ideas are best represented in the declaration of independence?

Answer 23

John Locke

Question 24

Why did colonists living under British rule protest British tax policies?

Answer 24

The colonists claimed that the tax policies violated their political rights.

Question 25

In the Mayflower Compact, Plymouth settlers pledged to unite into “ a civil body politic” and agreed to make + abide by laws that “insured the general good of the colony.”

What founding document did this set a precedent for?

Answer 25

U.S. Constitution

Question 26

Which person is considered to be the principal author of the constitution?

Answer 26

James Madison

Question 27

Government by the people + the separation of powers are the main principles of which founding document?

Answer 27

U.S. Constitution

Question 28

Excerpt from 13th Amendment:

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

Which of the following contains a clause that may have served as an inspiration for the above language?

Answer 28

Northwest Ordinances

Question 29

The Mayflower Compact includes a pledge to ensure that all citizens look out for the general good of the colony. Based on this, what impact has the Mayflower Compact had on modern understanding of the purpose of government in the U.S.?

Answer 29

The government should provide equal protection under the law

Question 30

At the constitutional convention, there was a major debate between large states + small states about representation in the new congress. This debate was resolved by The Great Compromise.

What was the result of this compromise?

Answer 30

Congress would have 2 houses, one in which state representation was based on population, and one in which all states had equal representation.

Question 31

Which of the following reflects the most important consequence of the Watergate break in?

Answer 31

Resignation of the President of the United States

Question 32

Which legislation reflects federal efforts to regulate transportation?

Answer 32

Interstate Commerce Act

Question 33

The U.S. Supreme Court enabled which government practices to continue in it’s ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson?

Answer 33

Segregating Public Facilities

Question 34

Which of the following statements regarding the Monroe Doctrine is accurate?

Answer 34

The Monroe Doctrine prohibited future European colonization in the Western Hemisphere

Question 35

By what process were 18 year olds granted the right to vote?

Answer 35

Constitutional Amendment

Question 36

” What do the people of American want more than anything else? To my mind, they want two things: work… and work, a reasonable amount of security.”

Based on the passage, which government program would the speaker support?

Answer 36

New Deal

Question 37

In order to attract investment and business and reduce expenses, a state legislature proposes passing a law that removes the need for certain federal regulatory features relating to office factory environments.

Which legislative action would most likely cause U.S. Supreme Court to decide that this the Supremacy Clause?

Answer 37

Occupational Safety and Health Act

Question 38

” So if a law be in opposition to the constitution; if both the law + the constitution apply to a particular case, so that the court must either decide that case conformably to the law, disregarding the constitution or conformably to the constitution; disregarding the law; the court must determine which of these conflicting rules governs the case. “

Which Supreme Court case established the precedent described in the opinion?

Answer 38

Marbury v. Madison

Question 39

Which of the following cases resulted in a decision that undermined civil rights and liberties in prioritization of national security?

Answer 39

Korematsu v. United States

Question 40

A person is charged with felony breaking and entering. During court proceedings, the defendant requested an attorney + was denied the right to counsel.

Which Supreme Court case overturned the trial court’s decision, due to lack of counsel?

Answer 40

Gideon v. Wainwright