Florida Civic Literacy Exam Example Questions

"Judicial Review" A U.S. Supreme Court decision that established for the first time that federal courts had the power to overturn an act of Congress on the ground that it violated the U.S. Constitution.

Marbury v Madison

Use the passage below, from a landmark Supreme Court case opinion, to answer the question that follows. Which supreme court case established the precedent described in the opinion?

Marbury v Madison

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."

US Constitution

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

US constitution

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

Article I

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?

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

Which of the following objectives best describes the purpose of the system of checks and balances, as defined in the US constitution?

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

What is the principle 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 US 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 form of government is based on popular sovereignty?

republic

Use the passage below, from an exchange between former president Nixon and a televsion interviewer, to answer the question that follows. Which constitutional principle does the statement from President Nixon contradict?

rule of law

The US supreme court enabled which government practices to continue in its ruling in Plessy v Ferguson?

segregating public facilities

Direct election of members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Direct election of state legislatures, who elected U.S. Senators Legislative Branch

Article 1

The people select electors, who elect the president Executive Branch

Article 2

Judicial BranchThe U.S. Senate confirms federal injustices, including Supreme Court Justices. Congress creates courts.

Article 3

States Rights The states are guaranteed a republican (representative) form of government

Article 4

State Legislatures (elected by the people) or state conventions ratify amendments proposed by Congress, state Legislatures or state conventions Amendment Process

Article 5

Laws enacted by Congress, when in conflict with a state law, are supreme Supremacy Clause

Article 6

"One person, one vote" The plaintiffs alleged that the apportionment of the Tennessee General Assembly failed to account for significant population variations between districts, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to United States Constitution. A federal district court rejected this complaint, finding that it lacked jurisdiction to intervene in such matters. The court ruled 6-2 in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that federal courts have the right to intervene in such cases.

Baker v Carr

At the Constitutional Convention, there was a major debate between large states and small states about representation in the new congress. The debate was resolved by the Great 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, from a historical document, to answer the question that follows. We the people, 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 stopping. 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

Which of the following statements best describes the Preamble of the US 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 principle author of the US 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 US

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 . . ." 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. 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 reflects the most important consequence of the Watergate break-in?

Resignation of the president of the US

Which of the following cases held that reproductive rights were an element of the right to privacy under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment?

Roe v Wade

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS ESTABLISHED A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT?

Roman

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

The colonists claimed that the tax policies violated their political rights

In the US 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 US?

The government should provide equal protection under the law

Ratification of the Constitution State Legislatures (elected by the people) or state conventions (selected by state legislatures) vote to ratify the proposed constitution

article 7

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 18 year olds fully granted the right to vote?

constitutional amendment

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

declaration of independence

A certain country is characterized by the following traits: 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 US house to charge federal officers with a crime or violation

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

the monroe doctrine prohibited future European colonization in the Western hemisphere

Which modern democratic concept practiced in the US is most like the democratic process of ancient GREECE?

the referendum

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

the right to demonstrate