Civics Exam Test Bank

64) The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. A. Alexander Hamilton B. Thomas Jefferson C. John Adams D. George Washington

A. Alexander Hamilton

36) A change to the U.S. Constitution is known as a what? A. Amendment B. Veto C. Caucus D. Resolution

A. Amendment

34) What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? A. Checks and balances B. Federalism C. Republicanism D. Capitalism

A. Checks and balances

84) Name one group of American Indian tribes in the United States. A. Cherokee, Navajo, Creek B. Iroquois, Creek, Inca C. Mohegan, Inuit, Mayan D. Pueblo, Apache, and Aztec

A. Cherokee, Navajo, Creek

41) There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. A. Citizens eighteen (18) and older can vote B. Citizens seventeen (17) and older can vote C. Only citizens with a job can vote D. Citizens by birth only can vote

A. Citizens eighteen (18) and older can vote

98) What is the political party of the current U.S. President? A. Democratic B. Federalist C. Republican D. Unionist

A. Democratic

20) What are the two major political parties of the U.S.? A. Democratic and Republican Parties B. Democratic and Libertarian Parties C. Nationalist and Republican Parties D. Constitutional and Unionist Parties

A. Democratic and Republican Parties

82) What did Martin Luther King Jr. do? A. Fought for civil rights B. Assisted in the Underground Railroad C. Served in World War I D. Wrote the poem, "Mother to Son"

A. Fought for civil rights

77) Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? A. Franklin Roosevelt B. Woodrow Wilson C. Herbert Hoover D. Calvin Coolidge

A. Franklin Roosevelt

39) What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? A. Free speech B. Trial by jury C. To bear arms D. Vote

A. Free speech

78) Who did the United States fight in World War II? A. Japan, Germany, and Italy B. Russia, Germany, and Japan C. Korea, Vietnam, and Italy D. Germany, Italy, and Afghanistan

A. Japan, Germany, and Italy

95) Who is the current President of the U.S.? A. Joe Biden B. Bill Clinton C. Thomas Jefferson D. Kamala Harris

A. Joe Biden

96) Who is the current Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court? A. John Roberts B. Samuel Alito C. Thurgood Marshall D. Elena Kagan

A. John Roberts

100) Who is the current Speaker of the House in the U.S. House of Representatives? A. Kevin McCarthy B. Chuck Schumer C. Mitch McConnell D. Kay Ivey

A. Kevin McCarthy

19) How many justices are on the Supreme Court? A. Nine (9) B. Six (6) C. Twelve (12) D. Eight (8)

A. Nine (9)

90) Which state does not border Mexico? A. Oklahoma B. Arizona C. New Mexico D. Texas

A. Oklahoma

7) How many U.S. Senators are there? A. One hundred (100) B. Two hundred (200) C. Seventy-five (75) D. Fifty (50)

A. One hundred (100)

25) Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military? A. President B. Attorney General C. Vice President D. Secretary of Defense

A. President

44) Which of the following is NOT a right of everyone living in the U.S.? A. Run for federal office B. Petition the government C. To bear arms D. Peacefully assemble

A. Run for federal office

6) What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? A. Senate and House of Representatives B. Senate and State Governors C. Presidential Cabinet and Senate D. Presidential Cabinet and House of Representatives

A. Senate and House of Representatives

22) What does the Constitution do? A. Sets up the government B. Creates alliances with other countries C. Establishes freedom from Great Britain D. Names the next President

A. Sets up the government

69) Which of the following reasons MOST contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War? A. Slavery B. Conflict with Canada C. Railroad expansion D. Immigration

A. Slavery

75) Which war was NOT fought by the United States in the 1900s? A. Spanish-American War B. World War I C. World War II D. Vietnam War

A. Spanish-American War

28) How many years is the term for a U.S. Representative? A. Two (2) B. Three (3) C. Four (4) D. Five (5)

A. Two (2)

65) What is one role that Benjamin Franklin is famous for? A. U.S. diplomat B. Youngest member of the Constitutional Convention C. Third President of the U.S. D. Inventor of the airplane

A. U.S. diplomat

11) If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A. Vice President B. Speaker of the House C. Chief of Staff D. None of the above

A. Vice President

40) What is freedom of religion? A. You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion B. You cannot choose the time you practice your religion C. You must choose a religion D. No one can practice a religion

A. You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion

1) What is the economic system in the U.S.? A. Capitalist economy B. Republican economy C. Command economy D. Mutual economy

A.Capitalist economy

13) What is one major function of the Cabinet of the U.S.? A. Leads the Armed Forces B. Advises the President C. Commands the U.S. D. All of the above

B. Advises the President

56) What group of people was taken to North America and sold into slavery? A. Germans B. Africans C. Pacific Islanders D. Russians

B. Africans

27) What does a U.S. Senator represent? A. A U.S. region B. All people in one state C. Citizens in a district D. Americans living abroad

B. All people in one state

87) What ocean is on the East Coast of the U.S.? A. Arctic Ocean B. Atlantic Ocean C. Indian Ocean D. Pacific Ocean

B. Atlantic Ocean

37) The first ten amendments to the Constitution are called the A. Preamble B. Bill of Rights C. Declaration of Independence D. None of the above

B. Bill of Rights

81) What movement tried to end racial discrimination? A. Prohibition B. Civil Rights Movement C. Conservation D. Women's Suffrage Movement

B. Civil Rights Movement

70) Name the U.S. war that occurred between the Northern and the Southern states. A. War of 1812 B. Civil War C. World War I D. Revolutionary War

B. Civil War

80) During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the U.S.? A. Computer fraud B. Communism C. Digital hacking D. Economic distress

B. Communism

62) What happened at the Constitutional Convention? A. Peace negotiated with Great Britain B. Constitution was written C. Declaration of Independence was written D. All of the above

B. Constitution was written

94) Name the U.S. Representative that represents your congressional district. A. Nancy Pelosi B. Dale Strong C. Tommy Tuberville D. Joe Biden

B. Dale Strong

23) What age must citizens be to vote for President? A. Seventeen (17) B. Eighteen (18) C. Twenty-one (21) D. None of the above

B. Eighteen (18)

73) What allowed for the freeing of enslaved people in Confederate territory during the Civil War? A. Declaration of Independence B. Emancipation Proclamation C. Constitution D. Gettysburg Address

B. Emancipation Proclamation

66) Who is considered the "Father of Our Country?" A. Thomas Jefferson B. George Washington C. Abraham Lincoln D. Patrick Henry

B. George Washington

85) Which of the following is a U.S. territory? A. Bermuda B. Guam C. Haiti D. Togo

B. Guam

33) Which branch of government decides if a law violates the Constitution? A. Executive B. Judicial C. Legislative D. None of the above

B. Judicial

60) When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? A. July 4, 1646 B. July 4, 1776 C. July 4, 1865 D. July 4, 1929

B. July 4, 1776

3) What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? A. Liberty and justice B. Liberty and pursuit of happiness C. Life and death D. Life and right to own a home

B. Liberty and pursuit of happiness

88) Identify the two longest rivers in the U.S. A. Colorado River and Ohio River B. Missouri River and Mississippi River C. Missouri River and Rio Grande D. Mississippi River and Rio Grande

B. Missouri River and Mississippi River

35) What is the capital of Alabama? A. Birmingham B. Montgomery C. Mobile D. Huntsville

B. Montgomery

50) What do the fifty (50) stars on the American flag represent? A. Key battles of the American Revolution B. Number of states C. Former Presidents D. Signers of the Declaration of Independence

B. Number of states

49) What do the American flag's stripes represent? A. Number of former flags B. Original colonies C. Members of the Second Continental Congress D. None of the above

B. Original colonies

17) Who signs bills to become laws? A. Congress B. President C. Supreme Court D. None of the above

B. President

58) Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? A. George Washington B. Thomas Jefferson C. Abraham Lincoln D. James Madison

B. Thomas Jefferson

91) What is the capital of the U.S.? A. New York, New York B. Washington, D.C. C. Richmond, Virginia D. None of the above

B. Washington, D.C.

63) When was the U.S. Constitution written? A. 1791 B. 1776 C. 1787 D. 1790

C. 1787

59) What did the Declaration of Independence do? A. Create peace with Great Britain B. Established a structure for the U.S. government C. Announced independence from Great Britain D. Listed rights of women in the colonies

C. Announced independence from Great Britain

24) When is the last day that one can send in their federal income tax forms? A. January 1 B. March 3 C. April 15 D. December 31

C. April 15

47) When must all men register for the Selective Service? A. At birth B. At age 16 C. At age 18 D. Men no longer have to register

C. At age 18

9) Why do some states have more Representatives than other states in the U.S. House of Representatives? A. Because the state's Representatives have seniority in the House of Representatives B. Because of the geographical size of the state C. Because of the size of the state's population D. Because of the state's location

C. Because of the size of the state's population

16) Laws are written by A. President B. Speaker of the House C. Congress D. Supreme Court

C. Congress

21) What is the supreme law of the land? A. Declaration of Independence B. Book of Laws C. Constitution D. Supreme Court

C. Constitution

14) How many years is the elected term of a U.S. President? A. Eight (8) B. Two (2) C. Four (4) D. Six (6)

C. Four (4)

67) Who was the first President of the U.S.? A. Abraham Lincoln B. John Adams C. George Washington D. John Quincy Adams

C. George Washington

51) When does the U.S. celebrate Independence Day? A. January 1 B. March 15 C. July 4 D. November 11

C. July 4

99) Who is the current Vice President of the U.S.? A. Kay Ivey B. Joe Biden C. Kamala Harris D. Nancy Pelosi

C. Kamala Harris

97) Who is the current Governor of Alabama? A. Doug Jones B. Will Ainsworth C. Kay Ivey D. Richard Shelby

C. Kay Ivey

68) What territory did the U.S. buy from France in 1803? A. Georgia B. Texas C. Louisiana D. New Hampshire

C. Louisiana

61) There were 13 original states. Name three. A. Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida B. Washington, Oregon, and California C. Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina D. New York, Kentucky, and Georgia

C. Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina

71) Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. A. World War I B. World War II C. Mexican-American War D. Korean War

C. Mexican-American War

92) Where is the Statue of Liberty located? A. Atlanta, Georgia B. Birmingham, Alabama C. New York, New York D. Washington, D.C.

C. New York, New York

15) In what month do citizens vote in a presidential election? A. January B. March C. November D. December

C. November

72) What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln accomplished? A. Purchased Alaska B. Established the United Nations C. Saved the Union D. Declared war on Spain

C. Saved the Union

42) What is one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens? A. Clean up their neighborhood B. Get a job C. Serve on a jury D. All of the above

C. Serve on a jury

8) How many years is the elected term for a U.S. Senator? A. Four (4) B. Two (2) C. Six (6) D. Eight (8)

C. Six (6)

18) What is the highest court in the U.S.? A. Trial Court B. Appellate Court C. Supreme Court D. District Court

C. Supreme Court

2) The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? A. Just a Bill B. America, the Beautiful C. We the People D. Defend Our Rights

C. We the People

10) The U.S. House of Representatives has how many voting members? A. 50 B. 60 C. 100 D. 435

D. 435

12) Which of the following are Cabinet-level positions? A. Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Commerce B. Secretary of Education and Secretary of Energy C. Attorney General and Vice President D. All of the above

D. All of the above

29) Under the U.S. Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? A. To print money B. To declare war C. To create an army D. All of the above

D. All of the above

45) What is one promise an individual makes when they become a U.S. citizen? A. Give up loyalty to other countries B. Defend the Constitution and laws of the U.S. C. Be loyal to the U.S. D. All of the above

D. All of the above

48) In what way can an American participate in their democracy? A. Call their Senator and Representative about an issue B. Join a community group C. Vote in an election D. All of the above

D. All of the above

5) Which of the following is a branch or part of the government? A. Legislative B. Executive C. Judicial D. All of the above

D. All of the above

54) Which of the following is a reason why the colonists came to North America? A. Freedom B. Economic opportunity C. Practice their religion D. All of the above

D. All of the above

57) Why did the colonists fight the British? A. Because of high taxes (taxation without representation) B. Because the British army stayed in their homes (boarding, quartering) C. Because the British denied them self-government D. All of the above

D. All of the above

55) Who lived in North America before Europeans arrived? A. Chinese B. Russians C. Pacific Islanders D. American Indians

D. American Indians

4) What is the "rule of law?" A. Government does not have to follow the law B. All laws must be the same in every state C. Everyone but the President must follow the law D. Everyone must follow the law

D. Everyone must follow the law

74) Which of the following was a major achievement of Susan B. Anthony? A. Served as a nurse during the Civil War B. Helped develop the railroad system C. Wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" D. Fought for women's rights

D. Fought for women's rights

53) Name two national U.S. holidays. A. Memorial Day and Valentine's Day B. Mardi Gras and Presidents' Day C. Independence Day and St. Patrick's Day D. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Columbus Day

D. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Columbus Day

86) What ocean is on the West Coast of the U.S.? A. Arctic Ocean B. Atlantic Ocean C. Indian Ocean D. Pacific Ocean

D. Pacific Ocean

26) What position serves as the leader of the executive branch? A. Prime Minister B. Speaker of the House C. Chief Justice D. President

D. President

31) Which of the following positions has the power to veto a bill? A. Chief Justice B. Speaker of the House C. Attorney General D. President

D. President

30) Under the U.S. Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? A. Create an army B. Coin or print money C. Make treaties D. Provide schooling or education

D. Provide schooling or education

32) If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? A. Secretary of State B. U.S. Attorney General C. President Pro Tempore D. Speaker of the House of Representatives

D. Speaker of the House of Representatives

83) What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the U.S.? A. An accident occurred at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant B. Hurricane Andrew struck the U.S. C. Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor. D. Terrorists attacked the U.S.

D. Terrorists attacked the U.S.

52) What is the name of the national anthem? A. God Bless the U.S.A. B. America the Beautiful C. My Country Tis of Thee D. The Star-Spangled Banner

D. The Star-Spangled Banner

93) Which of the following is a current U.S. Senator from the state of Alabama? A. Kamala Harris B. Doug Jones C. Kay Ivey D. Tommy Tuberville

D. Tommy Tuberville

38) How many amendments does the Constitution have? A. Ten (10) B. Twenty-one (21) C. Twenty-three (23) D. Twenty-seven (27)

D. Twenty-seven (27)

46) To what do individuals show loyalty to when they say the Pledge of Allegiance? A. President B. Congress C. State where one lives D. United States of America

D. United States of America

89) Identify one state that does NOT border Canada. A. Montana B. Washington C. Alaska D. Utah

D. Utah

43) Which of the following is a right reserved only for U.S. citizens? A. Freedom of religion B. Hold a job C. Freedom of speech D. Vote in a federal election

D. Vote in a federal election

76) Who was President during World War I? A. Thomas Jefferson B. Richard Nixon C. Harry Truman D. Woodrow Wilson

D. Woodrow Wilson

79) Before he became President, Dwight D. Eisenhower served as a general in what war? A. War of 1812 B. Gulf War C. World War I D. World War II

D. World War II