Civics Literacy
As a result of the 26th Amendment Question 3 options: a) 18-year-olds could vote b) African Americans can vote c) Inhabitants of Washington DC could vote in Presidential elections d) We directly elect US Senators
18-year-olds could vote
Which Amendment granted women the right to vote? Question 3 options: a) 26th b) 16th c) 19th d) 14th
19th
What were the qualifications for the executive agreed upon in Philadelphia and included in the Constitution? Question 5 options: a) 35 years old, 7 years residency in the USA, and natural born citizen b) 30 years old, 7 years residency in the USA, and natural born citizen c) 35 years old, 14 years residency in the USA, and natural born citizen d) 30 years old, 14 years residency in the USA, and natural born citizen
35 years old, 14 years residency in the USA, and natural born citizen
How many justices must decide they wish to "Grant cert" for the case to be heard? Question 3 options: a) All nine b) 6 c) 4 d) 5
4
Which amendment protects us from "Cruel and unusual punishment"? Question 2 options: a) 7th b) 4th c) 8th d) 6th
8TH
In Virginia v. Black, the Court Question 2 options: a) Struck down the law, as all cross burnings are not designed to intimidate. b) Referred the case back to the Court of Appeals. c) Upheld the law. d) Struck down the law, as cross burning is considered speech.
?Referred the case back to the Court of Appeals.
The notion that "a wall of separation between Church & State" should exist in the American context, can be first found in Question 1 options: a) The Articles of Confederation b) The First Amendment c) A letter written by Thomas Jefferson d) Article IV of the Constitution
A letter written by Thomas Jefferson
Who or what was "Gruesome Gertie"? Question 2 options: a) The only federal female executioner b) An individual who witnessed all federal executions between 1912 and 1935 c) A mobile electric chair d) The gas chamber at San Quentin
A mobile electric chair
Most of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention favored Question 5 options: a) Renewing the war with Great Britain b) A weaker central Government c) A stronger central Government d) Keeping the Articles of Confederation intact
A stronger central Government
The votes required in each chamber to overturn a Presidential veto are Question 3 options: a) A simple majority in the Senate and two thirds majority in the House b) A two-thirds majority in both House and Senate c) A two-thirds majority in the Senate and a simple majority in the House d) 66 votes in the Senate 235 votes in the House
A two-thirds majority in both House and Senate
As a result of the Great Compromise, which statement is not correct? Question 1 options: a) The votes of 38 million Californian's have the same value in the Senate as those of 500,000 people from Wyoming. b) A vote for a House district in New York, is worth less than a vote in a House district in Texas. c) California has more House members than any other state. d) Delaware and Alaska have the same number of members of Congress.
A vote for a House district in New York, is worth less than a vote in a House district in Texas.
Which organization took the Tinker case to the Supreme Court? Question 3 options: a) ACLU b) NRA c) NAACP d) NCAA
ACLU
Which of the following Founding Fathers was in favor of the strongest executive? Question 1 options: a) Alexander Hamilton b) Patrick Henry c) Thomas Jefferson d) James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
The first words of Article 1 of the Constitution are Question 4 options: a) All legislative power b) The executive power shall c) The States shall d) The judicial power shall
All legislative power
A brief submitted to the court by a person or organization not directly involved in the case is called Question 2 options: a) An amicus brief. b) A friends brief. c) An interested parties brief. d) A supplementary brief.
An amicus brief.
The majority of cases in the Supreme Court Question 4 options: a) Come from the State Supreme Courts. b) Fall under its original jurisdiction. c) Are heard at the discretion of the court. d) Deal with disputes between the States.
Are heard at the discretion of the court.
Which Article of the Constitution describes the Powers of the Presidency? Question 2 options: a) Article III b) Article II c) Article I d) Article IV
Article II
Passage of the 24th Amendment meant people can't be denied the right to vote Question 2 options: a) Because they were ages 18, 19 or 20 b) Because they couldn't pay taxes c) Because they were Latino d) Because they are women
Because they couldn't pay taxes
Who was the ancient sage? Question 4 options: a) Benjamin Franklin b) Sam Adams c) Patrick Henry d) Gouverneur Morris
Benjamin Franklin
Which of the following statements is true regarding the number of justices on the Supreme Court? Question 1 options: a) Has a maximum number of 11 set out in Article III section IV of the Constitution. b) Has always been the same. c) Must be an odd number. d) Can be changed by an Act of Congress.
Can be changed by an Act of Congress.
Which of the following could Congress do under the Articles of Confederation? Question 4 options: a) Declare war b) Tax c) Raise an Army d) Regulate Interstate Commerce
Declare war
What is defined as "the practice of unfairly treating a person or group differently from other people or groups of people"? Question 5 options: a) Bigotry b) Discrimination c) Intolerance d) Racism
Discrimination
Passage of section one of the 14th Amendment, overturned which Supreme Court decision? Question 1 options: a) Plessy v. Ferguson b) Dread Scott v Sandford c) Marbury v Madison d) Roe v Wade
Dread Scott v Sandford
Which of the following has not been used as a method of execution in the United States? Select all that apply Question 4 options: a) Firing squad b) Poison c) Gas chamber d) Drowning
Drowning
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the same bill are sorted out through Question 1 options: a) The Ways and Means Committee b) A debate on the Senate floor c) The Appropriations Committee d) Conference committee
Conference committee
Which of the following are true regarding the confirmation process for justices to the Supreme Court? Question 1 options: a) An independent commission selects the best justice for the vacancy. b) Confirmation votes have become increasingly partisan. c) Every president is entitled to at least one appointment. d) The President's nominee is always successful.
Confirmation votes have become increasingly partisan.
How was Al Smith ultimately allowed to consume Peyote? Select all which apply. Question 4 options: a) Peyote was taken off a prohibited substance list. b) He moved to another state. c) He was prescribed it by a doctor. d) Congress amended the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 to protect the use of peyote.
Congress amended the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 to protect the use of peyote.
As a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Employment Division v. Smith (1990) Question 2 options: a) The President issued an executive order protecting peyote. b) Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. c) The case was taken to the International Court of Human Rights. d) Oregon repealed the statute banning peyote.
Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Truman lost the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company case, as the court ruled Question 1 options: a) Congress had not declared the Korean conflict a war, as such the President did not have "Emergency powers" b) The case was moot as the Korean conflict had ended c) Congress, not the President, has the power to seize private property d) Steel production might fall under government ownership
Congress, not the President, has the power to seize private property
Which of the following concepts forms the "genesis of government" for Thomas Jefferson? Question 3 options: a) Legitimacy b) Authority c) Power d) Consent
Consent
Montesquieu differs from other philosophers in that he argued Question 3 options: a) Power should be concentrated in the executive b) Each branch of government should be able to check the others c) No danger arises from the concentration of power d) Violence should be used to avoid an abuse of power
Each branch of government should be able to check the others
The "Necessary and Proper" clause is also known as the Question 3 options: a) Supremacy Clause b) Commerce Clause c) Due Process Clause d) Elastic Clause
Elastic Clause
What did the Supreme Court decide in Roper v Simmons? Question 1 options: a) Executing someone under the age of 18 is cruel and unusual b) Using a firing squad for execution is cruel and unusual c) Simmons was innocent of the murder d) The method of execution is a right reserved to the states under the 10th Amendment
Executing someone under the age of 18 is cruel and unusual
In United States v Nixon the Supreme Court ruled that Question 2 options: a) Executive privilege is absolute. b) Nixon should resign the Presidency. c) Executive privilege does not cover criminal actions by the President. d) Constitutionally the President can not commit a crime.
Executive privilege does not cover criminal actions by the President.
The Supreme Court has used the Fourteenth Amendment to Question 1 options: a) Expand the scope of the Commerce Clause. b) Limit the ability of the states to impose the death penalty. c) Limit federal regulation of the states. d) Extend to Bill of Rights to be applicable in the States.
Extend to Bill of Rights to be applicable in the States.
Which is not a characteristic of Thomas Jefferson according to Historian Joseph Ellis? Question 1 options: a) Intellectually Sophisticated b) Extravagant c) Resonant d) Duplicitous
Extravagant
As Commander-in-Chief, the president has the sole power to declare war. Question 1 a) True b) False
False
No signee of the Declaration of Sentiments at Seneca Falls ever lived to be able to vote (True or False) Question 5 options: a) True b) False
False
The Constitution gives the President the sole power to make and approve treaties. (True or False)
False
The first three words of the Declaration of Independence are "We the People. a) True b)False
False
In Cantwell v Connecticut, Justice Roberts broke down the religious element of the First Amendment into what concepts? Question 2 options: a) Freedom to convert & freedom to sanction. b) Freedom to believe & freedom to act. c) Freedom of thought & freedom to act. d) Freedom of practice & freedom to persuade.
Freedom to believe & freedom to act.
Who was the "One Legged Man?" Question 2 options: a) Benjamin Franklin b) John Adams c) Thomas Jefferson d) Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris
Which of the following powers does the President possess? Question 3 options: a) Grant pardons b) Appoint the Speaker of the House c) Make appropriations d) Declare war
Grant pardons
Justices of the Supreme Court Question 2 options: a) Must retire at 85 years old. b) Have a 35-year tenure. c) Are formally reappointed every 10 years. d) Have life tenure.
Have life tenure.
The Founders reinforced institutional separateness by Question 1 options: a) Having different term lengths for House, Senate and President b) Having different Salaries for the House, President and Supreme Court c) Having the Senate ratify treaties d) Having the House confirm Supreme Court appointments
Having different term lengths for House, Senate and President
Which is true about Justice Clarence Thomas? Question 1 options: a) He was nominated by George Herbert Walker Bush b) He is known for his long and detailed questions in oral arguments c) He is the only African American male ever appointed to the Supreme Court d) His nomination was without controversy
He is the only African American male ever appointed to the Supreme Court
In court, the City of Hialeah justified its ordinance against the practice of Santeria, by claiming which of the following? Question 3 options: a) Health concerns b) It was against what America stood for c) It was not an officially recognized tribe d) Santeria was not an officially recognized religion
Health concerns
Redistricting ensures Question 4 options: a) States get the correct number of seats b) House districts across the nation have similar populations c) All votes across the nation count equally d) Federal districts match statehouse districts
House districts across the nation have similar populations
The Court applied the Bill of the Rights to the states Question 5 options: a) In the progressive era before World War One. b) Immediately after the Civil War. c) In the 1920s before FDRs New Deal. d) In the 1950s at the start of the Civil Rights era.
In the 1920s before FDRs New Deal.
What was the process called, by which the Free Speech Clause of the Federal Constitution, was also applied to the states? Question 3 options: a) Extension b) Incorporation c) Dual Application d) Federal Supremacy
Incorporation
In Tinker vs Des Moines, the court found Question 4 options: a) Individuals do not give up their rights when they enter a school. b) Wearing a black arm band does not constitute speech. c) There can be no limits placed on free speech. d) School boards are allowed to limit speech.
Individuals do not give up their rights when they enter a school.
Which justice wrote that "Our Constitution is color blind and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens"? Question 2 options: a) Ruth Bader Ginsberg b) John Harlan c) Earl Warren d) Rodger Tawney
John Harlan
Aristotle broke the functions of government down into "deliberative," "magisterial" and what else? Question 5 options: a) Legislative b) Executive c) Laws d) Judicial
Judicial
"Judicial Review" is mentioned in Question 1 options: a) Article 3 of the Constitution b) Article 1 of the Constitution c) Article 2 of the Constitution d) Judicial Review is not found in the Constitution
Judicial Review is not found in the Constitution
What case first established "Judicial Review?" Question 5 options: a) Trop v Dulles b) Bush v Gore c) Roper v Simmons d) Marbury v Madison
Marbury v Madison
Alice Paul was leader of which organization? Question 2 options: a) Daughters of the American Revolution b) National Woman Suffrage Association c) National Women's Party d) American Woman Suffrage Association
National Women's Party
Which of the following plans for Representation was most similar to that under the Articles of Confederation? Question 1 options: a) Virginia Plan b) New Jersey Plan c) Madison Plan d) Connecticut Plan
New Jersey Plan
Which was the first state to use the electric chair as a form of execution? Question 3 options: a) California b) Arizona c) New York d) Indiana
New York
In colonial times, Question 1 options: a) No women could vote. b) Only the eldest daughters could vote. c) All women could vote. d) Women could only vote if they owned property.
No women could vote.
In Miller v California the Supreme Court ruled that Question 2 options: a) Obscenity is protected free speech. b) Miller did not send pornography across state lines and so under the terms of the Commerce Clause the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction. c) It is necessary and proper that Congress regulate pornography. d) Obscenity is not protected free speech.
Obscenity is protected free speech.
In September 2013 Justice Ginsburg pointed out, when written "We the people" Question 4 options: a) Only applied to a narrow section of society. b) Applied to only half the population. c) Applied to all the population. d) Was applicable to many different groups in society.
Only applied to a narrow section of society.
Congress's role in watching over the executive branch is known as Question 2 options: a) Oversight b) Accountability c) Supervision d) Scrutiny
Oversight
Which case established that "separate but equal" facilities for different races did not violate the Constitution? Question 3 options: a) Brown v Board of Education b) Loving v Virginia c) Dread Scott v Sandford d) Plessy v Ferguson
Plessy v Ferguson
Who was the respondent in the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company case? Question 2 options: a) Secretary of the interior Sawyer Luck b) Commerce Secretary Charles Sawyer c) Defense Secretary Tom Sawyer d) President Truman
President Truman
For Jefferson the purpose of government is to Question 1 options: a) Provide for the common defense b) Ensure safety c) Protect important rights d) Ensure domestic tranquility
Protect important rights
The 8th Amendment Question 3 options: a) Provides for equal protection under the law b) Reserves rights to the states c) Protects against "cruel and unusual punishment." d) Provides for a speedy trial
Protects against "cruel and unusual punishment.
The 11th Amendment Question 2 options: a) States that Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land. b) Protects the states from foreign invasion. c) Reserves powers to the states. d) Protects the states from some lawsuits.
Protects the states from some lawsuits.
The reallocation of House seats between the States every ten years is known as Question 4 options: a) Reapportionment b) Redistricting c) Gerrymandering d) Reallocation
Reapportionment
Which of the following is NOT guaranteed by the First Amendment? Question 1 options: a) Freedom of speech b) Freedom to peacefully assemble c) Freedom of religion d) Right to vote
Right to vote
Thomas Jefferson was born in Question 2 options: a) The wealthiest city in the South b) Nevis, West Indies c) Suffolk, England d) Rural Virginia
Rural Virginia
The first woman appointed to the Supreme Court was Question 3 options: a) Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993 b) Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 c) Genevieve Rose Cline in 1928 d) Amy Coney Barrett in 2020
Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981
In Brown v Board of Education, the Court held that Question 1 options: a) The Equal Protection Clause is not applicable to public education. b) Separate educational facilities are constitutional. c) Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. d) Education policy is a power reserved to the states.
Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.
The Nielsen and Wardlow cases illustrate Question 1 options: a) Similar crimes may receive very different punishments depending on which state the crime is committed in. b) The Federal government can claim jurisdiction over all murder cases if it chooses. c) Rich defendants typically receive lighter sentences than poor defendants. d) The uniformity of the US criminal code.
Similar crimes may receive very different punishments depending on which state the crime is committed in.
Patrick Henry introduced what important change in mindset at the first Continental congress Question 5 options: a) That the colonists should embark on their manifest destiny to tame the continent b) That the colonists should now consider themselves traitors c) That the colonists should consider themselves American not Virginians, New Yorkers, etc d) That the colonists should maintain the identity of the individual "states"
That the colonists should consider themselves American not Virginians, New Yorkers, etc
How is it decided who writes the opinion of the court? Question 1 options: a) The Chief Justice or the senior justice in the majority decides. b) Lots among the winning coalition are drawn. c) The senior justice who granted cert decides. d) A rotation system is used.
The Chief Justice or the senior justice in the majority decides.
What notable historic document was drafted in Seneca Falls, NY? Question 1 options: a) The 19th Amendment b) The Articles of Confederation c) The Declaration of Independence d) The Declaration of Sentiments
The Declaration of Sentiments
Under the Virginia plan, the executive was to be chosen by Question 4 options: a) The Supreme Court b) The Electoral College c) The Legislature d) The States, each having one vote
The Legislature
Which of the following statements is true regarding the allocation of Seats in the House over the last 50 years? Question 2 options: a) The allocation occurs after every presidential election b) The Midwest has lost seats and the Southwest has gained c) Indiana has gained 2 seats d) The Rustbelt has gained seats
The Midwest has lost seats and the Southwest has gained
In City of Boerne v. Flores the court ruled Question 3 options: a) Peyote to be federally protected substance. b) The RFRA was constitutional. c) The RFRA gave too much power to the states to regulate. d) The RFRA limited the ability of the States to "regulate for the health and welfare." Previous PageNext Page
The RFRA limited the ability of the States to "regulate for the health and welfare."
Prior to 1988, which standard did court use to determine if a law affecting the practice of religion was justified? Question 1 options: a) The Smith Test b) The Verner Test c) The Flores Test d) The Sherbert Test
The Sherbert Test
In the majority of States, Federal House district boundaries are determined by Question 5 options: a) The State Supreme Court b) A non-partisan commission c) The State Legislature d) The State Governor
The State Legislature
Shirley Chisholm was Question 1 options: a) The first woman to enter the House of Representatives b) The only person to vote against US entry into World War I & World War II c) The first woman to enter the Senate d) The first African American woman to enter the House of Representatives
The first African American woman to enter the House of Representatives
In Texas v. Johnson the Court ruled Question 2 options: a) The flag of the United States can only be protected by federal law. b) The flag is a symbol and as such burning it is a form of speech. c) The flag of the United States can be protected by state laws. d) "Speech" only consists of the spoken word.
The flag is a symbol and as such burning it is a form of speech.
Luther Martin and George Mason argued Question 3 options: a) The proposed constitution was a threat to the sovereignty of the states. b) Against the need for a Bill of Rights. c) For a more powerful executive. d) In favor of South Carolina nullifying federal laws.
The proposed constitution was a threat to the sovereignty of the states.
California legalizing medical marijuana and Wyoming granting the vote to women are examples of Question 5 options: a) Correct use of the Commerce Clause b) Federal overreach c) The states as "laboratories" of Democracy d) The Necessary and Proper clause being used constitutionally
The states as "laboratories" of Democracy
What did Shays rebellion demonstrate? Question 3 options: a) The need to disarm the populace. b) That the central government had become too powerful. c) The weakness of the Articles of Confederation. d) The willingness of states to assist other states.
The weakness of the Articles of Confederation
For what reasons might the justices grant cert? Question 3 options: a) One of the parties is from a justice's home state. b) The justices often do favors for the other justices. c) The are a large number of amicus briefs. d) There are conflicting rulings in the federal courts.
There are conflicting rulings in the federal courts
Federal laws take precedence when in conflict with state laws. Question 4 options: a) Is power of the Supreme Court b) This is an example of the Elastic Clause c) Is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights d) This is an example of the Supremacy Clause
This is an example of the Supremacy Clause
Which of the following philosophers did not discuss the division of state power? Question 3 options: a) Thomas Hobbes b) Aristotle c) John Locke d) Montesquieu
Thomas Hobbes
Which of the following writers did not directly influence Jefferson's writing of the Declaration of Independence? Question 4 options: a) Thomas Hobbes b) John Locke c) Thomas Paine d) George Mason
Thomas Hobbes
The recordings of President Nixon's conversations ultimately lead to his downfall. Which of the following is a reason he did not make the tapes? Question 3 options: a) To help him write his memoirs. b) To have an accurate record of conversations. c) To make sure he received credit for his foreign policy. d) To implicate White House counsel John Dean.
To implicate White House counsel John Dean.
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court said that citizens had what fundamental right? Question 2 options: a) To a smoke free environment b) To a college education c) To give up US citizenship d) To marry
To marry
The First Amendment prohibits the establishment of a state religion (True or False) Question 5 a) True b) False
True
Which is the only Federal legislative office a person can not be appointed to? Question 3 options: a) President b) US House c) Vice-President d) US Senate
US House
Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration Question 2 options: a) Was shorter and didn't include the phrase "We hold these truths" b) Was longer and contained more diagnosis of the problem c) Was longer and contained more criticism of King George d) Was shorter and did not contain the argument for separation
Was longer and contained more criticism of King George
In United States v Virginia, the Court said Question 4 options: a) Bans on same sex marriage were constitutional. b) The Equal Protection Clause doesn't apply to women, as women could not vote when the Amendment was passed. c) Interracial marriage was permitted under the Constitution. d) Women are entitled to the same educational opportunities as men.
Women are entitled to the same educational opportunities as men.
The compromise of allowing slavery to continue in the United States has been "justified" by which of the following? Question 5 options: a) Slavery was only permitted in a few states b) There were no slaveholders at the convention c) Slaves could be easily conscripted into the army in a time of war d) Without allowing slavery there would have been no new Constitution
Without allowing slavery there would have been no new Constitution
