- Feb 26, 2000
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Which of the following is NOT necessarily a characteristic of the state (the dominant political unit in the world)?
population
a federal system
government
sovereignty
2. A state with supreme and absolute power within its own territory is
dictatorial
socialistic
sovereign
unitary
3. The first systematic code of law used to govern a society was recorded by
Hammurabi
Pericles
Aristotle
Justinian
4. A government that is not responsible to the people and cannot be limited by them is
unitary
totalitarian
dictatorial
presidential
5. Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau would most likely agree that
the state developed out of force
those of royal birth have the right to rule other people
a state exists to serve the will of the people
a government should be federal in form
6. Which of these terms best characterizes the American economic system?
mixed economy
laissez-faire
collective
authoritarian
7. The element in a capitalistic economic system which, ideally, operates to control and maintain it is
competition
governmental regulation
taxation
personal greed
8. The economic theory which claims that the value of any commodity is determined by the amount of labor needed to produce it is
capitalism
socialism
communism
free enterprise
9. Which of the following terms cannot be used to describe the American governmental system?
federal
democratic
presidential
parliamentary
10. Which of the following is not a basic element of capitalism?
nationalization
competition
profit
individual initiative
Part 2
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
11. The term that describes an alliance of independent states is
republic
confederation
anarchy
autocracy
12. Which of the following is NOT a basic feature of the American concept of democracy?
respect for the worth and dignity of each and of all persons
faith in majority rule limited by minority rights
insistence upon equality of opportunity
insistence upon equality of condition
13. In what form of government are the law-making and the law-executing functions lodged in separate branches of the government?
unitary
federal
presidential
parliamentary
16. In the charter colonies, much of the power over colonial affairs was held by
the British monarch
trading company
a proprietor
the colonists
17. Before the mid-1700s, the American colonies
were taxed heavily by the British government
held little control over their own local affairs
enjoyed a large measure of self-government
were closely tied to the home government by many repressive measures
18. Which of the following was NOT an early attempt at colonial union? The
Long Parliament Albany
Plan of Union
New England Confederation
Stamp Act Congress
19. The Declaration of Independence contains all the following ideas EXCEPT:
people have certain natural rights
governments that do not safeguard their citizens can be overthrown
God gave certain people the right to rule
governments can exist only with the consent of the governed
20. Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress was not given the power to tax.
Congress could not make war or peace or enter into treaties.
There was no central mechanism to regulate interstate trade.
Congress had no power to make the States obey the Articles.
Part 3
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
21. Shays' Rebellion
was a colonial protest against the Stamp Act
was instigated by the Anti-Federalists
was a violent incident that pointed to the need for a stronger central government
led to the passage of the Intolerable Acts
22. Who was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia Convention?
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
23. James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution' because he
was the oldest delegate at the convention
was chosen to preside at the convention
contributed most to the writing of the Constitution
was the first to suggest that the Articles of Confederation be replaced
24. The major point of difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was the
basis for State representation in Congress
method by which the President was to be chosen
powers that should be given to the central government
need for a separation of powers
25. Delegates to the Philadelphia Convention agreed that
they should only revise the Articles of Confederation
their sessions should be open to the public
a unanimous vote would be needed to pass any proposal
they should draft a new constitution to replace the Articles
26. According to the Connecticut Compromise,
three-fifths of the slave population was to be counted in determining a State's population
Congress was forbidden to tax the export of goods from any State
Congress could not interfere with the slave trade for at least 20 years
Congress was to be composed of two houses, with equal representation in one and proportional representation in the other
27. All of the following were leading Federalists EXCEPT
Patrick Henry
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
28. Which of the following statements describes the AntiFederalists?
They were satisfied with most of the provisions of the Constitution.
They felt that the Constitution did not grant the central government enough power.
They favored ratification of the Constitution.
They protested that the Constitution did not provide for freedom of speech, press, and religion.
29. Which the following events happened LAST?
acceptance of the Great Compromise.
ratification of the Constitution by all 13 States.
first meeting of the New Congress.
swearing in of Washington as first President of the United States.
30. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the Magna Carta?
It established the precedent that the monarch's power was not absolute.
It stated that the king was above the law.
It had little importance in the development of basic rights in England.
It was originally intended to protect the rights of the lower classes.
Part 4
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
31. The power of judicial review
may be exercised only by the Supreme Court of the United States
is rarely used by any court
is specifically provided for in the Constitution
was established by Marbury v. Madison (1803)
32. Which of the following is NOT an example of the system of checks and balances?
The President makes an executive agreement
The Supreme Court declares a law passed by Congress unconstitutional
The President vetoes a bill
The Senate confirms George Schultz as Secretary of State
33. Which of the following is NOT true of the Constitution?
It sets limits within which the government must operate
It is open to interpretation
It has not been changed in 50 years
It is the highest form of law in the United States
34. Which of these constitutional amendments did NOT expand the suffrage (the right to vote) in the United States?
Fifteenth
Sixteenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-sixth
35. The only constitutional amendment to be repealed dealt with the subject of
the slave trade
prohibition
civil rights
income taxes
36. By 1985, 32 States had petitioned Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to require that the federal budget be balanced each year. How many more States are needed for that step to be taken?
2
4
6
18
37. There were 24 women and 19 blacks in the 99th Congress. Which of these amendments had nothing to do with that fact?
Fifteenth
Seventeenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-fifth
38. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
forbid slavery and other forms of involuntary servitude
are often called the Civil War Amendments
were ratified by the original 13 States at the same time that they approved the Constitution itself
are often called the Bill of Rights
39. Most amendments to the Constitution have been added by which one of the following methods?
proposed by Congress and ratified by threequarters of the State legislatures
proposed by Congress and ratified by conventions in three-quarters of the States
proposed and ratified by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the State legislatures
proposed by national conventions and ratified by conventions in three-quarters of the States
40. Which of the following is NOT true of the checks and balances system?
It makes compromise necessary.
It usually operates in routine fashion.
It results in few spectacular clashes.
It insures that all worthwhile proposals will become law.
Part 5
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
41. How many amendments to the Constitution have been ratified?
18
26
27
33
42. The most recent amendment to the Constitution
abolished poll taxes
limited presidential tenure
lowered the voting age to 18
limited the ability of legislators to enact their own pay raises.
43. The executive power of the United States is vested in the
Congress
federal courts
people
President
44. The power of the President to reject an act of Congress is known as
the supreme law of the land
a veto
sovereignty
executive review
45. If you need to look up some information on France and its head of State, a good source to consult would be the
World Almanac
Statistical Abstract
United States Government Manual
Statesman's Year-Book
Part 6
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions by typing Yes or No and then type the number of the amendment that supports your answer.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
46. Can all high school seniors vote?
47. Do State legislatures choose members of the U.S. Senate?
48. Can adults purchase and consume alcoholic beverages?
49. Must one believe in God to work for the government?
50. Does the government have the right to tax your income?
51. Can a highly popular president seek more than two terms?
52. Do most states today require the payment of a tax in order to vote?
53. Is it true that Congress may not prohibit the publication of magazines and newspapers?
54. Does the right to vote depend on a person's race or color?
55. If a President dies in office, does the Secretary of State automatically become acting President?
Part 7
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
56. What document begins with the words 'We the People"?
57. About how many states are there in the world today?
58. List the four essential characteristics of a state.
59. What is the distinctive feature of a state that distinguishes it from smaller political divisions?
60. What is the agency through which the state exerts its will and works to accomplish its goals?
61. Name three philosophers associated with the social contract theory of government.
62. What is the one restriction the Constitution places on the subjects with which proposed amendments may deal?
63. How can State legislatures begin the constitutional amendment process?
64. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
65. Name the two ways in which Congress has informally amended the Constitution.
66. Who warned the country in 1796 against "the baneful effect on the spirit of party"?
67. Who once described the Supreme Court as "constitutional convention in continuous session"?
68. Which constitutional amendment was passed in response to the breaking of a 150-year-old custom?
Part 8
SHORT ANSWER: In a sentence or two, define or explain the phrases below in your own words.
(Each question is worth 2 points)
69. Divine right
70. Dictatorship of the proletariat
71. Labor theory of value
72. A vote of no confidence
73. A "mixed economy"
Part 9
ESSAY: Write a paragraph for each of the topics or questions below.
(Each question is worth 5 points)
74. Explain why compromise is essential in a democracy.
75. Describe the different forms of democracy.
population
a federal system
government
sovereignty
2. A state with supreme and absolute power within its own territory is
dictatorial
socialistic
sovereign
unitary
3. The first systematic code of law used to govern a society was recorded by
Hammurabi
Pericles
Aristotle
Justinian
4. A government that is not responsible to the people and cannot be limited by them is
unitary
totalitarian
dictatorial
presidential
5. Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau would most likely agree that
the state developed out of force
those of royal birth have the right to rule other people
a state exists to serve the will of the people
a government should be federal in form
6. Which of these terms best characterizes the American economic system?
mixed economy
laissez-faire
collective
authoritarian
7. The element in a capitalistic economic system which, ideally, operates to control and maintain it is
competition
governmental regulation
taxation
personal greed
8. The economic theory which claims that the value of any commodity is determined by the amount of labor needed to produce it is
capitalism
socialism
communism
free enterprise
9. Which of the following terms cannot be used to describe the American governmental system?
federal
democratic
presidential
parliamentary
10. Which of the following is not a basic element of capitalism?
nationalization
competition
profit
individual initiative
Part 2
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
11. The term that describes an alliance of independent states is
republic
confederation
anarchy
autocracy
12. Which of the following is NOT a basic feature of the American concept of democracy?
respect for the worth and dignity of each and of all persons
faith in majority rule limited by minority rights
insistence upon equality of opportunity
insistence upon equality of condition
13. In what form of government are the law-making and the law-executing functions lodged in separate branches of the government?
unitary
federal
presidential
parliamentary
16. In the charter colonies, much of the power over colonial affairs was held by
the British monarch
trading company
a proprietor
the colonists
17. Before the mid-1700s, the American colonies
were taxed heavily by the British government
held little control over their own local affairs
enjoyed a large measure of self-government
were closely tied to the home government by many repressive measures
18. Which of the following was NOT an early attempt at colonial union? The
Long Parliament Albany
Plan of Union
New England Confederation
Stamp Act Congress
19. The Declaration of Independence contains all the following ideas EXCEPT:
people have certain natural rights
governments that do not safeguard their citizens can be overthrown
God gave certain people the right to rule
governments can exist only with the consent of the governed
20. Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress was not given the power to tax.
Congress could not make war or peace or enter into treaties.
There was no central mechanism to regulate interstate trade.
Congress had no power to make the States obey the Articles.
Part 3
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
21. Shays' Rebellion
was a colonial protest against the Stamp Act
was instigated by the Anti-Federalists
was a violent incident that pointed to the need for a stronger central government
led to the passage of the Intolerable Acts
22. Who was unanimously elected president of the Philadelphia Convention?
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
23. James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution' because he
was the oldest delegate at the convention
was chosen to preside at the convention
contributed most to the writing of the Constitution
was the first to suggest that the Articles of Confederation be replaced
24. The major point of difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan was the
basis for State representation in Congress
method by which the President was to be chosen
powers that should be given to the central government
need for a separation of powers
25. Delegates to the Philadelphia Convention agreed that
they should only revise the Articles of Confederation
their sessions should be open to the public
a unanimous vote would be needed to pass any proposal
they should draft a new constitution to replace the Articles
26. According to the Connecticut Compromise,
three-fifths of the slave population was to be counted in determining a State's population
Congress was forbidden to tax the export of goods from any State
Congress could not interfere with the slave trade for at least 20 years
Congress was to be composed of two houses, with equal representation in one and proportional representation in the other
27. All of the following were leading Federalists EXCEPT
Patrick Henry
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
28. Which of the following statements describes the AntiFederalists?
They were satisfied with most of the provisions of the Constitution.
They felt that the Constitution did not grant the central government enough power.
They favored ratification of the Constitution.
They protested that the Constitution did not provide for freedom of speech, press, and religion.
29. Which the following events happened LAST?
acceptance of the Great Compromise.
ratification of the Constitution by all 13 States.
first meeting of the New Congress.
swearing in of Washington as first President of the United States.
30. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the Magna Carta?
It established the precedent that the monarch's power was not absolute.
It stated that the king was above the law.
It had little importance in the development of basic rights in England.
It was originally intended to protect the rights of the lower classes.
Part 4
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
31. The power of judicial review
may be exercised only by the Supreme Court of the United States
is rarely used by any court
is specifically provided for in the Constitution
was established by Marbury v. Madison (1803)
32. Which of the following is NOT an example of the system of checks and balances?
The President makes an executive agreement
The Supreme Court declares a law passed by Congress unconstitutional
The President vetoes a bill
The Senate confirms George Schultz as Secretary of State
33. Which of the following is NOT true of the Constitution?
It sets limits within which the government must operate
It is open to interpretation
It has not been changed in 50 years
It is the highest form of law in the United States
34. Which of these constitutional amendments did NOT expand the suffrage (the right to vote) in the United States?
Fifteenth
Sixteenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-sixth
35. The only constitutional amendment to be repealed dealt with the subject of
the slave trade
prohibition
civil rights
income taxes
36. By 1985, 32 States had petitioned Congress to call a convention to propose an amendment to require that the federal budget be balanced each year. How many more States are needed for that step to be taken?
2
4
6
18
37. There were 24 women and 19 blacks in the 99th Congress. Which of these amendments had nothing to do with that fact?
Fifteenth
Seventeenth
Nineteenth
Twenty-fifth
38. The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
forbid slavery and other forms of involuntary servitude
are often called the Civil War Amendments
were ratified by the original 13 States at the same time that they approved the Constitution itself
are often called the Bill of Rights
39. Most amendments to the Constitution have been added by which one of the following methods?
proposed by Congress and ratified by threequarters of the State legislatures
proposed by Congress and ratified by conventions in three-quarters of the States
proposed and ratified by a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the State legislatures
proposed by national conventions and ratified by conventions in three-quarters of the States
40. Which of the following is NOT true of the checks and balances system?
It makes compromise necessary.
It usually operates in routine fashion.
It results in few spectacular clashes.
It insures that all worthwhile proposals will become law.
Part 5
DIRECTIONS: Select the best choice to answer the questions or complete each of the following items.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
41. How many amendments to the Constitution have been ratified?
18
26
27
33
42. The most recent amendment to the Constitution
abolished poll taxes
limited presidential tenure
lowered the voting age to 18
limited the ability of legislators to enact their own pay raises.
43. The executive power of the United States is vested in the
Congress
federal courts
people
President
44. The power of the President to reject an act of Congress is known as
the supreme law of the land
a veto
sovereignty
executive review
45. If you need to look up some information on France and its head of State, a good source to consult would be the
World Almanac
Statistical Abstract
United States Government Manual
Statesman's Year-Book
Part 6
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions by typing Yes or No and then type the number of the amendment that supports your answer.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
46. Can all high school seniors vote?
47. Do State legislatures choose members of the U.S. Senate?
48. Can adults purchase and consume alcoholic beverages?
49. Must one believe in God to work for the government?
50. Does the government have the right to tax your income?
51. Can a highly popular president seek more than two terms?
52. Do most states today require the payment of a tax in order to vote?
53. Is it true that Congress may not prohibit the publication of magazines and newspapers?
54. Does the right to vote depend on a person's race or color?
55. If a President dies in office, does the Secretary of State automatically become acting President?
Part 7
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.
(Each question is worth 1 point)
56. What document begins with the words 'We the People"?
57. About how many states are there in the world today?
58. List the four essential characteristics of a state.
59. What is the distinctive feature of a state that distinguishes it from smaller political divisions?
60. What is the agency through which the state exerts its will and works to accomplish its goals?
61. Name three philosophers associated with the social contract theory of government.
62. What is the one restriction the Constitution places on the subjects with which proposed amendments may deal?
63. How can State legislatures begin the constitutional amendment process?
64. What are the first 10 amendments to the Constitution called?
65. Name the two ways in which Congress has informally amended the Constitution.
66. Who warned the country in 1796 against "the baneful effect on the spirit of party"?
67. Who once described the Supreme Court as "constitutional convention in continuous session"?
68. Which constitutional amendment was passed in response to the breaking of a 150-year-old custom?
Part 8
SHORT ANSWER: In a sentence or two, define or explain the phrases below in your own words.
(Each question is worth 2 points)
69. Divine right
70. Dictatorship of the proletariat
71. Labor theory of value
72. A vote of no confidence
73. A "mixed economy"
Part 9
ESSAY: Write a paragraph for each of the topics or questions below.
(Each question is worth 5 points)
74. Explain why compromise is essential in a democracy.
75. Describe the different forms of democracy.
.
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