Civics EOC

Which of the following is NOT a requirement to become a naturalized citizen? (A) have at least one American parent (B) be a permanent legal resident (C) read and write English (D) pass a citizenship test

The correct answer is (A). If you have at least one American parent, you're automatically a citizen and don't need to be naturalized. Naturalization is the process by which non-citizens become citizens. That process includes establishing legal residence, passing a basic test on U.S. civics, and showing that you know how to read, write, and speak English.

Common Sense

Unlike these others, Common Sense wasn't a legal document, but rather a hugely influential 1776 pamphlet that made the case for the American Revolution. Drawing on the social contract theory we've been discussing and written by the rabble-rouser Thomas Paine, Common Sense mocked monarchy and justified the American colonists' right to rebel and set up a government of their own

The Mayflower Compact

Signed aboard the ship Mayflower as it approached Massachusetts in 1620, the Compact was the first big step toward self-government by English colonists in America. The Pilgrims on board claimed the right to "covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic" with "just and equal laws." They also agreed to not eat each other if things got really bad, but that was more of an implied agreement and not specifically written down.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution

The Magna Carta

Forced on a reluctant King John of England in 1215 by a bunch of angry nobles, the Magna Carta was one of the first documents to place limits on a king's power over his realm. One of the important rights it established was the right to trial by a jury of one's peers. Of course, that only applied to the nobles themselves (if you were a commoner, they still had to try to get you to float to see if you were a witch, or something). But again, it was a start.

Which of the following cases had a significant impact on the 2000 presidential election? •(A)Bush v. Gore •(B)Clinton v. Bush •(C)Clinton v. the United States •(D)United States v. Nixon

The correct answer is (A). In the case Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court ruled against recounting Florida ballots in the 2000 presidential election. This ruling had a significant impact on the election, since there was a huge controversy about figuring out how people actually meant to vote when they punched their ballots. (If your parents were around during this time, ask them about it hanging chads and sit back with some popcorn.) Without the recount, Bush was declared the winner of the election.

A country in which power is divided between the central government and local governments has which of the following types of governmental system? •(A)federal •(B)confederal •(C)unitary •(D)parliamentary

The correct answer is (A). A federal system is one in which power is divided between the central or national government and the state or local governments.

The passage below describes a civic event. A few dozen people stood in the state capitol building. They held American flags in their left hands while raising their right hands and speaking in unison. What does the passage above most likely describe? •(A)Immigrants taking the oath of allegiance to complete the process of naturalization. •(B)Immigrants taking the oath of allegiance to the U.S. to begin the process of naturalization. •(C)Tourists to the U.S. taking the oath of allegiance to enter the country on vacation. •(D)Tourists to the U.S. taking the oath of allegiance to return to their home countries.

The correct answer is (A). Immigrants who go through the process of becoming a U.S. citizen take the oath of allegiance at the end of the naturalization process. (So, basically, after they pass the test.) Tourists to the U.S. do not have to take an oath of allegiance upon entering or leaving the United States. And you thought the lines at the international terminal at the airport were bad enough already...

Which of the following Supreme Court cases overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson? •(A)Brown v. Board of Education •(B)Gideon v. Wainwright •(C)Roe v. Wade •(D)Miranda v. Arizona

The correct answer is (A). In 1954, the Supreme Court overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine in the Brown v. Board of Education case. Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote in the opinion that "separate is inherently unequal." The decision declared separate public school facilities for white and black children unconstitutional, whether or not the government argued that these schools were "equal."

Who serves as the prosecution in criminal cases? •(A)the government •(B)the military •(C)the lawyers of the accused •(D)the lawyers of the victim

The correct answer is (A). In criminal cases, the government charges someone with a crime and always serves as the prosecution to boot. (The victim is represented by the government, not private lawyers.) Think of it this way: the person broke a law, so they're basically wronging the government that made these laws. The person charged and his or her lawyers are the defense. The military doesn't take part in criminal cases.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Marbury v. Madison? •(A)The precedent of judicial review was set, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. •(B)The precedent of "separate but equal" was set, making separate facilities for whites and blacks constitutional. •(C)The Supreme Court determined that persons arrested must be read their rights. •(D)The Supreme Court determined that states could not tax federal institutions.

The correct answer is (A). Marbury v. Madison (1803) was an important Supreme Court case because it set the precedent of judicial review—which means that the Supreme Court has the power to declare laws and executive orders unconstitutional.

The statement below was written by Justice Hugo H. Black in 1962. In this country it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers for any group of the American people to recite as part of a religious program carried on by the government. With which amendment is this statement primarily concerned? •(A)First Amendment •(B)Fifth Amendment •(C)Eighth Amendment •(D)Fourteenth Amendment

The correct answer is (A). Part of the First Amendment addresses freedom of religion. Justice Black was actually delivering an opinion for Engel v. Vitale, a Supreme Court case that ruled against the endorsement of prayer in public schools.

The points below describe the three main goals of socialism. 1. The distribution of wealth and economic opportunity equally among people 2. Society's control, through its government, of major decisions about production 3. ? Which of the following is most likely the third main goal of socialism? •(A)Public ownership of most land, factories, and other means of production •(B)Private ownership of most land and public ownership of factories •(C)Public ownership of land and private ownership of factories •(D)Private ownership of land and factories

The correct answer is (A). Socialists generally support public ownership of the major means of production—whether it be land, factories, or something else entirely.

The statement below was written by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. in 1919. The question in every case is whether the words are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent. With which amendment is the "clear and present danger" doctrine concerned? •(A)First Amendment •(B)Fourth Amendment •(C)Twelfth Amendment •(D)Nineteenth Amendment

The correct answer is (A). The "clear and present danger" doctrine places limits on the right to freedom of speech found in the First Amendment. If speech poses a clear and present danger to the public, the government can put the kibosh on it. In this case, Justice Holmes was writing the opinion to Schenck v. United States, which held that individuals couldn't criticize the draft during WWI because it created a "clear and present danger" to the United States during wartime.

The diagram below describes a political concept. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_1.png President-> appoints supreme court justices Supreme Court-> can declare executive order unconstitutional Which of the following does the diagram best illustrate? •(A)checks and balances •(B)federalism •(C)separation of powers •(D)sovereignty

The correct answer is (A). The concept of checks and balances is based on the idea that each branch of government has some power over the other branches, so each branch can therefore "check" the others. (Not like double-checking your work; more like "check yourself before you wreck yourself.") While the President has the power to appoint justices to the Supreme Court, the Court has the power to declare a President's executive orders unconstitutional. Federalism involves sharing power between national and state governments, while sovereignty is about the authority to rule. Separation of powers gives each branch of government certain powers that the others don't have—the better to check and balance the others, of course.

The passage below describes a health hazard. E-coli is a serious health concern. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans suffer from an outbreak of E-coli due to tainted food supplies. Inspecting food-packing industries is crucial to limit such outbreaks. Which of the following government agencies is most likely responsible for the kinds of inspections described above? •(A)Food and Drug Administration •(B)Environmental Protection Agency •(C)Securities and Exchange Commission •(D)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The correct answer is (A). The quote above describes the possible unhealthy and unsafe results of the food-packing industry. (For a seriously stomach-turning version of events, check out Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, which includes gems like "There would be meat stored in great piles in rooms; and the water from leaky roofs would drip over it, and thousands of rats would race about it..." #ew) The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for protecting the public—specifically, from unsafe food and drugs. The EPA protects human health and the environment more generally (B), the CDC protects people's health (D), and the SEC regulates the sale of stocks (C).

The statement below describes an opinion on campaign financing. Buying TV time to air campaign commercials takes an enormous amount of money. Raising that money can prove problematic in a number of ways. Some candidates can't raise the money, and all spend an enormous amount of time fundraising instead of governing. This poses serious danger to our democratic processes. Based on the statement, which policy would the speaker most likely support? •(A)limits on the amount of money spent on campaigns •(B)more time between elections so that candidates can spend more time fundraising •(C)no limitations on the amount individuals can donate to political candidates •(D)term limits so that Senators and Representatives cannot run for reelection indefinitely

The correct answer is (A). The statement argues that the cost of political campaigning is problematic, and the speaker would most likely support limits on the amount of money that could be spent on campaigns in the future. (B) would result in even bigger election coffers, (C) would only intensify the problems mentioned by the speaker, and (D) doesn't address the problem of incredibly expensive campaigns.

What was an important difference between the theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, respectively? (A) Only Hobbes supported democratic governments. (B) Only Hobbes wrote about the "state of nature." (C) Only Locke believed that the people could dissolve the government. (D) Locke believed in a social contract, while Hobbes believed in the divine right of kings.

The correct answer is (C). Both Hobbes and Locke were social contract theorists who wrote about how people could set up a government by agreement in order to leave the state of nature. But Hobbes believed that a government set up this way was absolute, while Locke believed that if a government failed to hold up its end of the bargain by trampling rights, it could be overthrown. That was his major influence on the American Founders

The following is an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. What was the primary purpose of these lines? •(A)to justify revolting against and breaking from Great Britain •(B)to explain the natural rights that all people possess •(C)to describe the social contract theory of government •(D)to declare the colonies' independence

The correct answer is (A). These lines are taken from the part of the Declaration of Independence that lists the grievances the colonies had against the monarch and government of Great Britain. By pointing to the injustices committed by the king and government, the Declaration was providing an explanation for why the colonies were right in revolting. Effective? Definitely...but we still wouldn't recommend drawing up a list of grievances against your parents to explain why you're revolting against doing the dishes.

Laila recently slipped and fell on an icy patch in front of a local convenience store. She is suing the store for negligence. Under which type of law does her case fall? •(A)civil law •(B)constitutional law •(C)criminal law •(D)military law

The correct answer is (A). Civil law involves disputes between individuals or between individual and the government, and civil cases emerge when one party thinks they have been harmed by another. In this case, Laila thinks the store should have kept an eye out for icy patches that turn the sidewalk into a Slip-and-Side. No criminal or military laws are broken in civil cases, nor do they involve important constitutional issues.

The passage below describes an event. A group of people stood outside the local public school on a cold November morning. Some wore buttons in support of one candidate or another, while others read pamphlets regarding important issues. What is the above passage most likely describing? •(A)immigrants taking the oath of allegiance to become full citizens •(B)citizens exercising the right and responsibility of voting •(C)children lining up to say the Pledge of Allegiance •(D)tourists lining up to enter the United States

The correct answer is (B). "Playing Angry Birds in line" would have given (C) a real run for its money, but alas, that isn't actually a choice. Election Day in the United States takes place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and libraries, schools, and other public places are usually designated as polling places. (Voting happens at a polling place, even though what you do there isn't called "polling.") Voting is one of the most basic rights—and responsibilities—of American citizens.

The passage below describes a political role. Lobbyists can make a lot of money, making it very enticing for lawmakers to leave Congress to work as a lobbyist since they already have so many connections. Thus, serving in Congress is often the pathway to becoming a well-paid lobbyist for special interests. Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred? •(A)All lobbyists begin as government officials. •(B)Lobbyists have close connections to the government and its officials. •(C)To become a government official, one must intern as a lobbyist. •(D)To become a lobbyist, one must intern as a government official.

The correct answer is (B). Because so many lobbyists once worked in government, they usually understand what's going on when it comes to the inner-workings of government and politics. However, not all lobbyists started off as government officials in the past. In fact, government officials don't need to have been lobbyists at all, or vice versa.

A celebrity endorsement of a political candidate represents what kind of political message? •(A)accurate •(B)biased •(C)informational •(D)propagandized

The correct answer is (B). Celebrities might be capable of delivering accurate information about a particular candidate, but the biggest impact of a celebrity endorsement is the star power behind a certain point of view. These endorsements are rarely idealized to the point of counting as propaganda, though.

Which of the following statements about democracy is NOT correct? •(A)In direct democracies, the people govern themselves by voting on issues individually as citizens. •(B)Direct and representative democracies function identically. •(C)In representative democracies, the people elect representatives and give them the responsibility and power to make laws and conduct government. •(D)Indirect democracies are identical to representative democracies.

The correct answer is (B). Despite sharing the "democracy" part of their names, direct and representative democracies aren't actually the same thing. A direct democracy refers to people directly voting on the issues and policies that they want instead of voting for representatives who do that for them. A representative democracy is more like an indirect democracy—in both cases, the people elect representatives who make laws and conduct government on their behalf.

What was the purpose of the phrase "We the people of the United States" in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution? •(A)to explain that power in the new government would rest solely with the states •(B)to explain that power in the new government rested with the people of the country •(C)to explain that power in the new government rested with the men who drafted the Constitution •(D)to explain that power in the new government would rest solely with the national or central government

The correct answer is (B). In drafting the U.S. Constitution, which divided power between the national government and state governments, the Founding Fathers wanted to show that governments derive their power from all the people of the United States...not just themselves. (At the time they didn't actually mean everyone, but the statement still stood.)

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright? •(A)All suspects must be read their rights upon arrest. •(B)All suspects must be given an attorney if they could not afford one. •(C)Suspects did not need to testify against themselves. •(D)Spouses could not testify against one another.

The correct answer is (B). In the case of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963), the Supreme Court decided that all suspects, whether in state or federal cases, must be given the right to an attorney. If the suspect can't afford an attorney, the state or federal government must provide one.

The statement below was written by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835. In no country of the world has the principle of association been more successfully used, or applied to a greater multitude of objects, than in America...In the United States associations are established to promote the public safety, commerce, industry, morality, and religion. Which of the following best coincides with what de Tocqueville is describing? •(A)the development of committees in Congress •(B)the development of interest groups •(C)the development of newspapers •(D)the development of political parties

The correct answer is (B). In the quote above, de Tocqueville describes the way Americans form various groups to advocate for the policies they wish to see enacted. Interest groups are groups of people who share common goals (or, ahem, "interests") and then organize to influence government. Political parties, on the other hand, are groups of individuals who organize to nominate candidates and win elections.

The Magna Carta (1215) provided the basis for which major principle of American government? •(A)federalism •(B)limited government •(C)representative government •(D)separation of powers

The correct answer is (B). King John I of England, who you might remember as this guy from Robin Hood, was forced to sign the Magna Carta. The document said that the power of the monarch was limited, not absolute, and it provided protection against unjust punishment or loss of property and liberty.

Which of the following is NOT a Constitutional qualification to become President of the United States? •(A)35 years old •(B)college graduate •(C)natural-born citizen •(D)resident of the U.S. for 14 years prior to taking office

The correct answer is (B). Nothing in the Constitution says that a president must be a college graduate. However, most presidential candidates have strong educational backgrounds with multiple degrees and experience in law, government, or business.

The excerpt below is from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, published in 1776. I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation to show a single advantage that this continent can reap by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge; not a single advantage is derived. . . What impact did these words have on the American colonists? •(A)The American colonists were more likely to resort to a civil war amongst themselves. •(B)The American colonists were more likely to support independence from Great Britain. •(C)The American colonists were more likely to want to remain a part of Great Britain. •(D)They had no real influence on the American colonists.

The correct answer is (B). Paine's Common Sense supported independence from Great Britain, and it made quite a splash. (Think of it as an early version of Twilight, except with fewer vampires and more politics.) While some colonists wanted to remain part of Great Britain, the pamphlet was so popular that it played a key role in spurring more colonists to want independence by 1776.

When a person refuses to salute the U.S. flag for religious reasons, which part of the First Amendment is he or she using as justification for the action? •(A)the Establishment Clause •(B)the Free Exercise Clause •(C)freedom of speech •(D)freedom of press

The correct answer is (B). The Free Exercise Clause says that the government cannot "prohibit the free exercise of religion." The person who refuses to salute the flag for religious reasons is practicing his or her religion freely by not acting.

The image below addresses slavery in the United States. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_3.png Source: LOC.gov, Public Domain Which amendment was passed as a result of images like that above? •(A)Third Amendment •(B)Thirteenth Amendment •(C)Eighteenth Amendment •(D)Twenty-first Amendment

The correct answer is (B). The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. The image argues that African Americans are human beings who should have the same rights as everyone else.

Which of the following writings helped win support for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution? •(A)Common Sense •(B)The Federalist •(C)The Olive Branch Petition •(D)Rights of Man

The correct answer is (B). The writings of the Federalists, or those who supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, were collected and printed in a book called The Federalist. Way original title, guys. These 85 essays, also known as the Federalist Papers, helped sway public opinion in favor of the Constitution. The remaining answers are all other writings from the time of the American Revolution.

The passage below describes a historical event. In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which imposed a direct tax on American colonists. Most printed materials in the colonies had to be produced on stamped paper. The purpose of the act was to pay for British troops used in the Seven Years' War in North America. Which of the following was the most likely impact of the Stamp Act? •(A)The colonists willingly paid the tax. •(B)The tax fueled the colonists' anger towards the British Parliament. •(C)The colonists stopped using printed materials. •(D)The tax resulted in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

The correct answer is (B). The tax, like others, fueled the colonists' anger. The colonists resisted paying the tax, although they continued to use printed materials. The Declaration of Independence wasn't a direct result of the tax, since it wasn't drafted until 1776.

The chart below describes three types of government. Type Number of Rulers Monarchy One ruler ? A few rulers Democracy The people rule Which of the following should be in the space marked with a "?"? •(A)communism •(B)dictatorship •(C)oligarchy •(D)socialism

The correct answer is (C). "Oligarchy" means rule by a few.

Which of the following statements is true of an oligarchy? •(A)Most countries in the West today are oligarchies. •(B)Oligarchies are run by a religious elite who impose religious law on all society. •(C)Oligarchies allow for quicker decision-making than democracies. •(D)Oligarchies experience far less corruption than other forms of government.

The correct answer is (C). Because they rely on a small group of leaders, oligarchies do allow for quicker decision-making than democracies, where far more people have a voice in the process of governing. Most countries in the West are democracies, and oligarchies are not always run by religious elites. Rather the elite rulers can be military or economic leaders. Because there are so few people with power in oligarchies, oligarchies often result in more corruption than other forms of government like democracies.

The excerpt below is from the Olive Branch Petition (1775). Knowing to what violent resentments and incurable animosities civil discords are apt to exasperate and inflame the contending parties, we think ourselves required by indispensable obligations to Almighty God, to your Majesty, to our fellow-subjects, and to ourselves, immediately to use all the means in our power, not incompatible with our safety, for stopping the further effusion of blood, and for averting the impending calamities that threaten the British Empire. Which of the following was the most likely result of the petition? •(A)Great Britain stopped all colonial taxation. •(B)Great Britain removed all British troops from the colonies. •(C)Great Britain ignored the petition and continued its former policies. •(D)Great Britain created Parliamentary seats for colonial representatives.

The correct answer is (C). By looking at the date of the source and remembering that the colonists declared their independence a year later, we can guess that the British didn't exactly respond well to the Olive Branch Petition. Because the British ignored the petition, the colonists continued their protests until they eventually had enough and decided to declare their independence.

The passage below describes a landmark Supreme Court case. The Supreme Court decided that student newspapers in public schools do not have the same level of freedom of the press rights as adult newspapers. The school administration can ultimately censor such publications if they deem certain stories or images to be disruptive or harmful to the educational process. Which of the following cases does the statement reference? •(A)Bethel School District v. Fraser •(B)Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire •(C)Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier •(D)Tinker v. Des Moines

The correct answer is (C). In Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, the Supreme Court ruled that school newspapers were subject to limitations placed on them by school administration. (For reference, the paper wanted to run stories about teen pregnancy and divorced parents.)

The following represents the division of the United States government. The United States Constitution Article I: The Legislative Branch Article II: The Executive Branch Article III: The Judicial Branch In dividing the government into three branches, the Founding Fathers were most influenced by which of the following thinkers? •(A)Thomas Hobbes •(B)John Locke •(C)Montesquieu •(D)Jean Jacques Rousseau

The correct answer is (C). In The Spirit of Laws (1748) Montesquieu wrote about creating a government with a separation of powers between different branches of government. The Founding Fathers then "borrowed" this idea to create the three branches of their brand-new government. Hey, we're not complaining. Hobbes and Locke are primarily known for the social contract theory of government, while Rousseau wasn't a major influence on the Founding Fathers.

The excerpt below is from John Locke's An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, published in 1690. Men being, as has been said, by Nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this Estate, and subjected to the Political Power of another, without his own Consent. The only way whereby any one divests himself of his Natural Liberty, and puts on the bonds of Civil Society is by agreeing with other Men to join and unit into a Community... Which of the following concepts does the excerpt most likely describe? •(A)checks and balances •(B)federalism •(C)social contract •(D)separation of powers

The correct answer is (C). In this passage, Locke describes the social contract theory of government. Social contract theory says that people give up some of their rights to government in return for protection and security. Checks and balances refers to how some branches of government have the ability to limit the power of other branches, while separation of powers refers to how some branches of government have powers that the other branches do not have. Federalism is the relationship between the national or central government and the state and local governments.

Which of the following best characterizes NATO? •(A)an international agreement signed by several nations •(B)the establishment of an organization to facilitate general cooperation between nations •(C)a system by which participating nations agree to take joint action against a nation that attacks any one of them •(D)using measures such as withholding loans, arms, or economic aid to force a foreign government to cease certain activities

The correct answer is (C). NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is set up so member nations will respond to an attack on any of the other nations in the organization. (A) describes a multilateral treaty, such as NAFTA, while (D) describes measures such as current U.S. sanctions against Iran and North Korea. (B) is more similar to an organization like the United Nations, which works in a broad range of areas.

Which of the following is the most likely reason that some states require government regulations to be written in everyday language that all people can understand? •(A)Tourists often do not speak or read formal English well •(B)The elderly often have difficulty reading complicated legal language. •(C)All citizens have the responsibility of knowing about the laws and obeying them. •(D)Young children often learn about the laws of the state by reading government regulations.

The correct answer is (C). One of the basic responsibilities of all citizens, regardless of age or ability, is to understand and obey the laws. By putting the regulations in words most people can understand, states are making sure all citizens can meet their responsibilities.

Which of the following is NOT one of the "unalienable" rights written about in the Declaration of Independence? •(A)life •(B)liberty •(C)property •(D)pursuit of happiness

The correct answer is (C). Property, while one of John Locke's pet rights, was never included in the Declaration of Independence...possibly because the Founding Fathers realized it didn't have quite the same ring as "pursuit of happiness." We can't argue with that.

Legislative-> makes laws Executive-> enforces laws Judicial-> _______________________ http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_2.png Which of the following concepts does the diagram above illustrate? •(A)checks and balances •(B)federalism •(C)separation of powers •(D)sovereignty

The correct answer is (C). Separation of powers is the idea that each branch of government has its own responsibilities, and the diagram shows that each branch is responsible for a different part of the larger lawmaking process. Federalism requires sharing powers between national and state governments, while sovereignty is the authority to rule. Checks and balances is the idea that each branch of government has some power over the other branches.

The list below describes a form of government. ◦No power to levy or collect taxes ◦No power to regulate trade ◦No power to enforce laws ◦No executive branch ◦No judicial branch To which of the following governments does this list most likely refer? •(A)the colonial governments under Great Britain •(B)the state governments under the Articles of Confederation •(C)the national government under the Articles of Confederation •(D)the national government under the U.S. Constitution

The correct answer is (C). Take another look at our list. Looks a little...uh, paltry, right? As it turned out, a lot of other people thought so, too. The list refers to everything the national government couldn't do under the Articles of Confederation. The problems with these weaknesses eventually led to the Constitutional Convention and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. Colonial governments under Great Britain and state governments under the Articles had some of the powers in the list, although not all.

Which of the following is NOT included in the Declaration of Independence? (A) references to Locke's social contract thinking (B) complaints against the British government (C) a plan for a new government (D) a defense of natural rights

The correct answer is (C). The Declaration of Independence was strongly based on John Locke's thought: it defended the idea of natural rights and explained why governments that violated those rights could be overthrown. It also made the case that the British government had, in fact, violated Americans' rights. But it only announced that America was independent—it did not set up a new government.

The illustration below depicts men casting their votes. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_6.png Source: LOC.gov, Public Domain Which amendment does the image most likely represent? •(A)Thirteenth Amendment •(B)Fourteenth Amendment •(C)Fifteenth Amendment •(D)Nineteenth Amendment

The correct answer is (C). The Fifteenth Amendment gave African American males the right to vote, which is illustrated in the image above. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, while the Fourteenth Amendment defined citizenship. The 19th Amendment gave all women the right to vote, regardless of race.

The following is an excerpt from the Fourteenth Amendment. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law... What did the above amendment do? •(A)It gave African American males the right to vote. •(B)It gave women the right to vote. •(C)It made individual rights national. •(D)It permanently abolished slavery.

The correct answer is (C). The Fourteenth Amendment, in addition to defining citizenship, made it so that no state could abridge a person's individual rights. Regardless of what state we live in, every citizen has the same rights. The Fifteenth Amendment gave African American males the right to vote, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, and the Nineteenth Amendment gave women the right to vote.

Which of the following is NOT a way a U.S. citizen can lose his or her citizenship? •(A)committing a crime of extreme disloyalty such as treason •(B)relinquishing one's citizenship to live in a foreign country •(C)burning the American flag in protest to the policies of the United States •(D)lying during the process of becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization

The correct answer is (C). The Supreme Court has ruled that citizens may burn the U.S. flag as part of their right to free speech. The other three answers are all ways that one can lose one's citizenship...so let's try to stay away from them, yeah?

Legislative-> makes laws Executive-> enforces laws Judicial-> _______________________ http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_2.png Which of the following phrases belongs in the empty box of the diagram above? •(A)Ignores laws •(B)Implements laws •(C)Interprets laws •(D)Writes laws

The correct answer is (C). The judicial branch of the government is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the legislative branch, which basically means that the judicial branch decides what the laws mean. (D) is another way of saying "makes laws" and happens to be the job of the legislative branch, while (B) is another way of saying "enforces laws" and is the job of the executive branch.

Which of the following is sometimes considered the unofficial "fourth branch" of the government? •(A)the army •(B)the federal bureaucracy •(C)the media •(D)the police

The correct answer is (C). The media is often considered the fourth branch of the government—it's the "branch" that watches over the other three branches and keeps the public informed.

The statement below describes a political opinion. Government cannot solve all of America's problems. In fact, government sometimes causes more problems than it solves by creating more rules, regulations, and bureaucracy that hamstring people from acting in their and the larger society's best interests. Which of the following events would the author of the passage most likely advocate? •(A)repeal of the North American Free Trade Agreement •(B)establishment of the Consumer Product Safety Commission •(C)repeal of the Water Pollution Control Act •(D)establishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation

The correct answer is (C). The passage advocates less government regulation and therefore more economic freedom—something like repealing the Water Pollution Control Act, for example, which regulates the cleanliness of interstate water sources. (A) implies the government would abandon free trade, which is basically the opposite of our speaker's stance. (B) and (D) both promote more government regulation, not less.

The list below describes the British Parliamentary Acts. British Parliamentary Acts 1765 Quartering Act 1765 Stamp Act 1767 Townsend Acts 1773 Tea Act 1774 Coercive Acts What was the primary result of the acts passed by Britain's parliament from 1765 to 1774? •(A)Britain's revenues decreased. •(B)Colonial revenues increased. •(C)Colonial resentment towards Great Britain grew. •(D)Colonists attempted to reconcile with Great Britain.

The correct answer is (C). These acts taxed American colonists heavily and led to a growing resentment toward Great Britain. (Quick summary: Britain's revenues increased, while colonial revenues decreased.) The British justified these taxes because they just spent a whole lot of money protecting the American colonies—see the French and Indian War (1754-1763). But the colonists interpreted the measures as one harsh tax after another—and the result was that more colonists supported independence from Great Britain instead of reconciliation.

Which of the following phrases from the Declaration of Independence points to the idea of popular sovereignty? •(A)"all men are created equal" •(B)"We hold these truths to be self-evident" •(C)"they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" •(D)"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

The correct answer is (D). "Popular sovereignty" refers to the authority of the people. Despite Ye Olde Timey English, (D) is actually saying that governments get their power from the people. None of the other phrases from the Declaration of Independence refer to authority, although they're pretty important in their own right

In the late 1960s, student activists argued that if 18-year-olds could fight and die for their country in wars like the Vietnam War, they should at least have a say in how their country should be run. Which of the following amendments best represents their aims? •(A)abolishing poll taxes •(B)allowing all citizens to vote •(C)allowing women to vote •(D)lowering the voting age

The correct answer is (D). 18-year-olds were given the right to vote with the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 1971. The correct answer is (D). 18-year-olds were given the right to vote with the ratification of the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 1971.

Both the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut can be seen as early versions of which of the following? •(A)Declaration of Independence •(B)national anthem •(C)Pledge of Allegiance •(D)U.S. Constitution

The correct answer is (D). Both documents set forth the rules or laws to govern their respective communities. This is most similar to the Constitution, which set forth the rules to govern the United States. Although the Mayflower Compact was a type of pledge, the Fundamental Orders were not. Neither document was an anthem or a declaration of freedom. (Probably a good thing, too...and we thought "The Star-Spangled Banner" was hard to sing.)

Why might a presidential candidate release pictures of himself interacting with military personnel? •(A)to show that he would be a good economic leader •(B)to show himself as a common, middle-class American •(C)to show that he is a good treaty negotiator with foreign nations •(D)to show that he would make a strong and able commander in chief

The correct answer is (D). By showing himself with members of the military, a presidential candidate is probably trying to show himself as an able commander of the armed forces. While the military might be connected to foreign policy, a picture with military personnel doesn't necessarily mean the president would be awesome at negotiating treaties (C).

The excerpt below is from a government application. The following instructions are provided for the completion of a parade permit application: 1. Complete all captions and abide by all notes on application. 2. Prepare three (3) copies of application with original signature, ONE COPY MUST BE NOTARIZED 3. Forward completed application to: NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE REVIEW SECTION 300 Gold Street, Room 305 BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11201 ATTENTION: PARADE SECTION On which part of the First Amendment does the above application place limitations? •(A)freedom of speech •(B)freedom of religion •(C)freedom of the press •(D)freedom of assembly

The correct answer is (D). In order to provide for public safety, some limitations are placed on people's right to assemble freely. In this case, the person or people wishing to assemble—or, specifically, parade—must complete the permit application before they start parading.

Which of the following Supreme Court cases was responsible for the establishment of the "separate but equal" doctrine? •(A)Brown v. Board of Education •(B)Dred Scott v. Sandford •(C)Loving v. Virginia •(D)Plessy v. Ferguson

The correct answer is (D). In the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), the Supreme Court ruled that separate facilities for different races were constitutional as long as those facilities were equal. Of course, that was easier said than done (and rarely was); the decision was overturned by the decision Brown v. Board of Education 58 long years later.

Why was the case Tinker v. Des Moines so important for students? •(A)It established that students could wear whatever they wished to school. •(B)It established that student newspapers could not be censored by school officials. •(C)It established that students' personal belongings could not be searched by school officials. •(D)It established that students do not give up all their rights to free speech when entering a school building.

The correct answer is (D). In the Tinker case, the Supreme Court decided that students could wear black armbands to school in protest of the Vietnam War—so students had access to the First Amendment and freedom of speech even while they were in school. (Whew.) This didn't mean students could wear whatever they wished to school, however, so consider leaving the Pikachu costume at home if it's not exactly in line with your school's dress code.

Which of the following is considered the "supreme law of the land"? •(A)Congress •(B)Declaration of Independence •(C)Supreme Court •(D)U.S. Constitution

The correct answer is (D). It might be tempting to pick (C), what with the whole Supreme Court thing and all, but the U.S. Constitution is considered the highest law of the land—no state law can supersede it. Although the Supreme Court interprets the law and Congress writes the law, they themselves are not the law.

The list below describes the qualifications for a political office in the United States. ◦30 years old ◦Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years before election ◦Legal resident of the state represented For which political office must the above qualifications be met? •(A)U.S. Representative •(B)President of the United States •(C)Supreme Court Chief Justice •(D)U.S. Senator

The correct answer is (D). Need a hint? Check out that third point—the one about representing a state. These qualifications are the ones for becoming a U.S. Senator. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives only need to be 25 years old and a citizen for at least 7 years before the election.

Throughout the 1760s and 1770s, the British Parliament passed many acts aimed at taxing the American colonies. Which of the following does NOT accurately reflect a response by American colonists to such policies? •(A)the establishment of committees of correspondence to keep colonists informed about British policies •(B)petitioning King George III and the British Parliament for a redress of grievances •(C)protests and boycotts in opposition to British policies •(D)mass emigration to places like France and Spain

The correct answer is (D). While more than unhappy about British policies towards the colonies, most American colonists didn't leave the colonies as a result of the new taxes. Instead, the colonists wrote, protested, and petitioned the British government for reform.

The statement below was written by Patrick Henry in 1788. All rights not expressly and unequivocally reserved to the people are impliedly and incidentally relinquished to rulers...If you intend to reserve your unalienable rights, you must have the most express stipulation; for...if the people do not think it necessary to reserve them, they will supposed to be given up. Which of the following was Henry advocating in the statement above? •(A)the ratification of the Articles of Confederation •(B)the adoption of the Declaration of Independence •(C)the inclusion of the Preamble in the U.S. Constitution •(D)the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution

The correct answer is (D). Patrick Henry opposed a strong national government because he worried that it would encroach on the rights of states and individuals. (We're not entirely sure, but we think he got that idea from the whole revolution against the British monarchy business. #inference) Henry and other anti-federalists wanted the U.S. Constitution to include a Bill of Rights to make sure that the rights they fought for during the Revolution were made permanent.

The image below is of a government document from 1917. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_5.png Source: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain Which of the following does the document most likely represent? •(A)paying a tax on one's income •(B)paying a tax on goods purchased •(C)paying a tax when traveling across state lines •(D)paying a tax to be able to cast a vote in an election

The correct answer is (D). Poll taxes were taxes that citizens were forced to pay if they wanted to vote. If that sounds kind of sketchy, that's because it was. Back in the day, this practice kept poor blacks and whites from voting, since they often couldn't afford to pony up the fees. Poll taxes were abolished with the ratification of the Twenty-fourth Amendment in 1964.

Which of the following Supreme Court cases involved the limitations of executive privilege? •(A)Bush v. Gore •(B)Engel v. Vitale •(C)Marbury v. Madison •(D)United States v. Nixon

The correct answer is (D). President Nixon invoked executive privilege when he refused to hand over evidence to the government in the Watergate scandal. The United States government sued Nixon, and the Supreme Court decided that Nixon did actually have to hand over the requested evidence. Being president comes with a lot of perks...but unlimited power isn't one of them.

The statement below was made by Secretary of the War Department Henry Knox in a 1786 letter to George Washington. This dreadful situation [Shays' Rebellion] has alarmed every man of principle and property in New England. [People wake] as from a dream and ask what has been the cause the cause of our delusion. What [will] give us security against the violence of lawless men? Our government must be [strengthened], changed, or altered to secure our lives and property. Based on the description above, which of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was of primary concern? •(A)The central government had no power to coin money. •(B)The central government had no power to regulate commerce. •(C)The central government had no power to lay and collect taxes. •(D)The central government had no power to raise and support armies.

The correct answer is (D). Shays' Rebellion occurred in 1787, when a group of incredibly angry farmers brought their weapons to the Massachusetts Supreme Court and closed it down. Although the Massachusetts state militia eventually put down the rebellion, the event demonstrated the need for a national army to defend states against internal rebellions and external threats. When the U.S. Constitution was written soon after, it included a provision for raising a national army.

Below is a list of rights. ◦You have the right to remain silent. ◦Anything you do or say may be used against you in a court of law. ◦You have the right to consult an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. ◦If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning, if you wish. Which case led to all arrested persons being read the warnings above? •(A)Gideon v. Wainwright •(B)Marbury v. Madison •(C)McCulloch v. Maryland •(D)Miranda v. Arizona

The correct answer is (D). Since the case Miranda v. Arizona (1966), all arrested individuals are given the "Miranda warning" or read their "Miranda rights." These include the statements listed above.

Which of the following did NOT increase tensions between the American colonists and the British government? (A) the Sugar Act (B) the Stamp Act (C) the Tea Act (D) Shays' Rebellion

The correct answer is (D). The Sugar, Stamp, and Tea Acts were all taxes imposed on the colonists by the British government. The colonists argued that the taxes were illegitimate because they had no representation in Parliament and no say in whether or not the taxes were adopted. Shays' Rebellion, a 1786 uprising in Massachusetts that convinced many of the need for a stronger federal government and a new Constitution, came later.

Why are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments known collectively as the "Reconstruction amendments"? •(A)They reordered the first 10 amendments following World War II. •(B)They were passed during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. •(C)They restructured the rights accorded to women during the twentieth century. •(D)They were passed during the era of Reconstruction during and following the Civil War.

The correct answer is (D). The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were passed during and immediately after the American Civil War and were aimed at giving African Americans rights they were previously denied.

The list below shows the requirements for a political role. ◦Applicants must have entered the country legally. ◦Applicants must be of good moral character. ◦Applicants must declare their support of the principles of American government. ◦Applicants must prove they can read, write, and speak English. ◦Applicants must show a basic knowledge of American history and government. The above are requirements for which role? •(A)Supreme Court justice •(B)Senator in the U.S. Congress •(C)President of the United States •(D)naturalized citizen of the United States

The correct answer is (D). The list consists of the basic requirements for an immigrant to the United States to become a full citizen of the country. The actual process involves a little more than checking off the items on this list, though; to absolutely nobody's surprise, there's a test involved. Want to see how you do?

Colonial newspapers reported that colonists pulled down a statue of King George III. After which of the following events was this most likely to have occurred? •(A)the Boston Tea Party •(B)the Constitutional Convention •(C)the publication of Common Sense •(D)the signing of the Declaration of Independence

The correct answer is (D). The news accounts report American colonists pulling down a statue of their soon-to-be-former monarch, George III—representing the moment when they declared their independence from Great Britain. (Did you see what we did there? Declared their independence? Pretty...oh, never mind.) The Boston Tea Party and the publication of Common Sense played an important role in pushing colonists toward independence, but it didn't lead to measures as extreme as toppling a statue of King George III. The Constitutional Convention wouldn't happen until more than a decade after independence.

The image below shows a woman with a sign addressed to President Woodrow Wilson. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_4.png Source: Archives.gov, Public Domain What did protests and demonstrations like the one pictured above lead to? •(A)an equal rights amendment •(B)the abolishment of slavery •(C)the right for women to divorce •(D)the right for women to vote

The correct answer is (D). The photograph shows a woman protesting and asking President Wilson to give women the right to be "self-governed," or the right to vote. The idea of an equal rights amendment came later, although that one has never actually become official, while abolishment of slavery had already occurred with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. Women also already had the right to divorce.

The image below depicts a political poster. http://media1.shmoop.com/images/florida-eoc/civics/florida_civics_drills_graphik_7.png Source: Wikimedia Commons Which U.S. foreign policy stance is best illustrated by the poster above? •(A)The United States must work with its allies to contain states with which it has no diplomatic relations. •(B)The United States must cooperate with other nations to effectively fight terrorism. •(C)The United States must avoid becoming entangled in other nations' affairs. •(D)The United States must commit to working with other nations.

The correct answer is (D). The poster shows various countries working together for the benefit of all as part of what appears to be a giant windmill of international cooperation. (Ooh, pretty.) Internationalism is a foreign policy perspective that supports involvement in world affairs for the safety and benefit of all. Isolationism (C) is avoiding involvement, while containment (A) involved isolating communist countries during the Cold War. The War on Terror (B) is a modern foreign policy aimed at isolating and removing terrorist threats around the world.

The statement below describes an opinion. The mass media, by its very coverage of certain stories and not others, has an enormous influence on what the general public thinks are the most important issues of the day. Based on the statement, which of the following would the speaker most likely agree with? •(A)Media is important because it determines how certain social problems will be solved. •(B)Media is important because it determines the public's attitudes about the issues. •(C)Media is important because it influences the outcome of Supreme Court cases. •(D)Media is important because it influences which issues will be discussed by the public

The correct answer is (D). The speaker says that the media helps set the agenda for the public and the government and specifically denies (B). None of the other answer choices are mentioned in the statement.

The statement below was made by Harry S. Truman in 1947 before a joint session of Congress. I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes... Based on the statement above, which of the following foreign policy initiatives would Truman most likely support? •(A)sending U.S. troops to take over a country in the midst of a democratic revolution •(B)sending U.S. teachers overseas to teach foreign students the English language •(C)sending U.S. Congressmen overseas to work with foreign governments in passing legislation •(D)sending food and providing loans to developing countries in need

The correct answer is (D). The statement above talks about economic and financial stability. Specifically, Truman advocates providing economic aid to countries to promote political stability—not necessarily sending Americans to provide on-the-ground assistance—so he would probably support providing loans and other aid like food for this reason.

The excerpt below is from a campaign poster. Vote for Jack Andrews! He is a man of the people, not a man of the elite. He fought for and defended our country, and he will always work to defend the American people in the future. What is the primary message of this passage? •(A)Support Jack Andrews because he will be an effective commander in chief. •(B)Support Jack Andrews because he opposes war and will keep America safe. •(C)Support Jack Andrews because his lack of political experience will be an asset. •(D)Support Jack Andrews because he will represent the common people of America.

The correct answer is (D). These lines sound like they could have come from a modern political campaign ad, but replace "Jack Andrews" with "Andrew Jackson," and we have a pretty good approximation of what people were saying back in 1828. We can start by eliminating (B) and (C), since the poster implies that Andrews is willing to fight for America if he needs to and never explicitly says that being a "man of the people" means that he doesn't have any political experience. While the ad does mentions Andrews' military experience (A), the focus on "people" suggests that voters should choose him primarily because he's a common man who can best represent the common people. Shmoop fun fact: After Andrew Jackson was elected president, he threw a huge party at the White House and invited the common people. It was, by many accounts, kind of a disaster.

Which of the following was NOT a reason given for the creation of the U.S. Constitution in the Preamble? •(A)"to form a more perfect Union" •(B)"insure domestic Tranquility" •(C)"promote the general Welfare" •(D)"protect citizens' life, liberty, and property"

The correct answer is (D). While (A), (B), and (C) are all mentioned in the Preamble, (D) is not. Sorry (D). Both life and liberty are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence—along with the pursuit of happiness. The phrase "life, liberty, and property," however, comes from John Locke.

The English Bill of Rights

This was another big step forward in limiting the power of the English king. Passed in 1689 in the wake of the Glorious Revolution (in which Parliament had asserted its power over the monarchy, remember?), the Bill of Rights guaranteed elections to Parliament, protected the right of members to say whatever they wanted in Parliament without being hauled off to ye olde gaol, and also protected their right to petition the king.

judicial review, the power to strike down legislation and executive actions for being unconstitutional, isn't in the Constitution. The Supreme Court claimed the right to judicial review in the landmark 1803 case Marbury v. Madison, and while specific cases of judicial review have remained controversial, the other two branches have generally accepted it as part of the system.

judicial review, the power to strike down legislation and executive actions for being unconstitutional, isn't in the Constitution. The Supreme Court claimed the right to judicial review in the landmark 1803 case Marbury v. Madison, and while specific cases of judicial review have remained controversial, the other two branches have generally accepted it as part of the system.

Anti-Federalists

opponents of the constitution