Civic Literacy Test 2024
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
The President of the US is elected for how many years?
4
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
435
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
5
How long is a term for a US Senator?
6 years
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
9
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans people from Africa
Name your U.S. Representative.
Bill Posey (R) Brevard County FL 2024
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
Civil War
What US war ended slavery?
Civil War
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
How many senators does each state have?
two
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of Our Country" First president of the US General of the Continental Army President of the Constitutional Convention
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of the Constitution" Fourth president of the US President during the War of 1812 One of the writers of the federalist papers
The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
(Battle of) Fort Sumter Emancipation Proclamation (Battle of) Vicksburg (Battle of) Gettysburg Sherman's March (Surrender at) Appomattox (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg Lincoln was assassinated.
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
(It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
(The basic) rights of Americans (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
Who elects US senators?
Citizens from their state
The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Federalist Papers Anti-Federalist Papers Virginia Declaration of Rights Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Mayflower Compact Iroquois Great Law of Peace
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
State population
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
What is one part of the judicial branch?
Supreme Court & Federal courts
Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. Anthony Elizabeth Cady Stanton Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman Lucretia Mott Lucy Stone
What is the capital of FL?
Tallahassee
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalism free market economy
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
to more closely follow public opinion
What part of the federal government writes laws?
(U.S.) Congress (U.S. or national) legislature Legislative branch
How many US Senators are there?
100
What amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the United States?
14th Amendment
What did all men get the right to vote?
After the Civil War During Reconstruction (With the) 15th Amendment 1870
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
Amendments The amendment process
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians Native Americans
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution The Revolutionary War War for Independence
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
Bunker Hill Declaration of Independence Washington Crossing the Delaware Saratoga Valley Forge Yorktown
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and older Don't have to pay poll tax Any citizen can vote
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
Citizens from their (congressional) districts
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the US?
Citizens of the US
Who does a US senator represent?
Citizens of their state People of their state
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Citizens/people in their congressional district Citizens/people in their district
Why does each state have two senators?
Equal representation (for small states) The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Equality Liberty Social Contract Natural rights Limited government Self-government
What is rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law. Leaders must obey the law. Government must obey the law. No one is above the law.
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive branch
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury One of the writers of the Federalist Papers Helped establish the First Bank of the US Aide to General George Washington Member of the Continental Congress
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government Defines powers of government Defines the parts of government Protects the rights of the people
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Found the first free public libraries First Postmaster General of the US Helped write the Declaration of Independence Inventor US diplomat
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slaves (EP) Saved the Union Led the US during the Civil War The 16th President of the US Delivered the Gettysburg Address
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom Political liberty Religious freedom Economic opportunity Escape persecution
What are the three rights of everyone living in the US?
Freedom of expression Freedom of Speech Freedom of Assembly Freedom to Petition the government Freedom of Religion The right to bear arms
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
Give up loyalty to their other countries Defend the US Constitution Obey the laws of the US Serve in the military Serve the nation Be loyal to the US
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes Taxation without representation British soldier stayed in American houses They did not have self-government Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party Stamp Act Sugar Act Townshend Act Intolerable Acts
Why is the Electoral College important?
It decides who is elected president. It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It says America is free from British control. It says all people are created equal. It identifies inherent rights. It identifies individual freedoms.
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison Alexander Hamilton John Jay Publius
What is the name of the President of the US now?
Joe Biden
Who is the Chief Justice of the US now?
John Roberts
What is the name of the Vice President of the US now?
Kamala D. Harris
Name the three branches of government
Legislative, executive, and judicial Congress, president, and the courts
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
Life, until retirement
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson 2024
How can people become US citizens?
Naturalize Derive citizenship Be born in the US
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia
Who signs bills to become laws?
President
Who vetoes bills?
President
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
President Cabinet Federal departments and agencies
Who is the Commander in Chief of the US military?
President of the US
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper money Mint coins Declare war Create an army Make treaties Set foreign policy
What is the form of government of the US?
Republic Constitution-based federal republic Representative democracy
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law All people pay to fund the federal government Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment) Civic duty
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law Civic duty Makes the draft fair, if needed
Who is one of your state's senators now?
Rick Scott (R) Marco Rubio (R) (FL 2024)
Who is the governor of Florida?
Ron DeSantis (Republican)
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
The US Constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
Self-government Popular sovereignty Consent of the governed People should govern themselves example of social contract
What are the two parts of the US Congress?
Senate and House of Representatives
Name a power of the President
Signs bills into law vetoes bills enforces laws commander in chief chief diplomat
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful Checks and balances Separation of powers
The President of the US can serve only two terms, why?
The 22nd Amendment To keep them from becoming too powerful
Who appoints federal judges?
The President
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The US The flag
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Vice President
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution. They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
To be independent (of politics) To limit outside (political) influence
What founding document was written in 1787?
U.S. Constitution
What is the supreme law of the land?
U.S. Constitution
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
Vote Pay taxes Obey the law Serve in the military Run for office Work for local, state, or federal government
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote Run for Office Join a political Party Help with a campaign Join a civic group Join a community group Give an elected official your opinion Contact elected officials Support or oppose an issue or policy Write to a newspaper
Name one war fought by the US in the 1800s.
War of 1812 Mexican-American War Civil War Spanish-American War
Name one war fought by the US in the 1900s.
World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam War (Persian) Gulf War
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence Third president of the US Doubled the size of the US (Louisiana Purchase) First Secretary of State Founded the University of Virginia Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws Declares war Makes the federal budget
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the President
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves freed slaves in the Confederacy freed slaves in the Confederate states freed slaves in most Southern states
Name one power that is only for the states.
provide schooling and education provide protection (police) provide safety (fire departments) give a driver's license approve zoning and land use
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws explains laws resolves disputes (disagreements) decides if a law goes against the Constitution
