Civic Literacy Exam

Which form of government is based on popular sovereignty?

republic

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

The Monroe Doctrine prohibited future European colonization in the Western Hemisphere.

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

keeping any one of the three branches of government from becoming too powerful

What is the principal function of a written constitution?

outlining the structure and powers of a government

Use the scenario below to answer the question that follows. A suspect is accused of a crime in one state and flees to another state where they are apprehended. The state is very slow in returning the suspect to the state of origin and keeps them imprisoned. Which of the following represents a suitable petition for the suspect in this situation, in regard to their constitutional rights?

petition for a writ of habeas corpus

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

providing for the common defense

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

resignation of the president of the United States

Use the passage below, from an exchange between former president Nixon and a television interviewer, to answer the question that follows. "Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal"--Richard M. Nixon Source: The Washington Post, June 5, 1977 Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?

rule of law

The U.S. Supreme Court enabled which government practices to continue in its ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?

segregating public facilities

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

Article I

At the Constitutional Convention, there was a major debate between large states and small states about representation in the new Congress. This debate was resolved by the Great Compromise. What was the result of this compromise?

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

Use the passage below, which was included in the Declaration of Sentiments adopted at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, to answer the question that follows. 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. Source: Cady Stanton, E. (2006). Declaration of sentiments. In M. Boezi (Ed.), Voices of the American people (Vol. 1, p. 173). New York: Pearson Longman. From E. Cady Stanton, S. B. Anthony, & M. J. Gage (Eds.) (1881), History of woman suffrage (Vol. 1, pp. 67-94). Rochester, NY: Charles Mann. (Original work published 1848) Which of the following documents influenced the aims and strategies of the authors of the Declaration of Sentiments?

Declaration of Independence

Use the passage below, from a historical document, to answer the question that follows. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Source: The U.S. Constitution, National Archives and Records Administration Which philosophical movement best reflects the ideals in the passage?

Enlightenment

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

Fourth Amendment

A person is charged with felony breaking and entering. During the court proceedings, the defendant requested an attorney and was denied the right to counsel. Which Supreme Court case overturned the trial court's decision, due to lack of counsel?

Gideon v. Wainwright

Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Source: National Archives and Records Administration Which of the following statements best describes the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.

Which legislation reflects federal efforts to regulate transportation?

Interstate Commerce Act

Which person is considered to be the principal author of the U.S. Constitution?

James Madison

Which political philosopher's ideas are best represented in the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke

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

Korematsu v. United States

Use the passage below, from a landmark Supreme Court case opinion, to answer the question that follows. "So if a law be in opposition to the constitution; if both the law and 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." Source: National Archives and Records Administration Which Supreme Court case established the precedent described in the opinion?

Marbury v. Madison

Use the passage below, taken from a presidential nomination speech, to answer the question that follows. "What do the people of America want more than anything else? To my mind, they want two things: work, . . . and with work, a reasonable measure of security . . ." Source: National Archives and Records Administration Based on the passage, which government program would the speaker support?

New Deal

Use the excerpt below, from the Thirteenth Amendment, to answer the question that follows. "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." Source: National Archives and Records Administration Which of the following contains a clause that may have served as an inspiration for the above language?

Northwest Ordinances

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

Occupational Safety and Health Act

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

Roman

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. Source: National Archives and Records Administration Which constitutional provision was inspired by the above complaint?

The Third Amendment limits the quartering of soldiers to specific circumstances

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

The colonists claimed that the tax policies violated their political rights

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

The conflict must be resolved using the Supremacy Clause.

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 United States?

The government should provide equal protection under the law

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

U.S. Constitution

In the Mayflower Compact, Plymouth settlers pledged to unite into "a civil body politic" and agreed to make and abide by laws that "insured the general Good of the Colony."

U.S. Constitution

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

by limiting government authority

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

civil law

By what process were eighteen-year-olds fully granted the right to vote?

constitutional amendment

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

divine right of kings

Which modern process would be supported by the ancient Greeks?

electing governors

Which circumstance would require a search warrant?

examining the contents of a hotel room

Which phrase best describes the power of impeachment?

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

Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the democratic process of ancient Greece?

the referendum

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

the right to demonstrate