Civics Final

10. What is the purpose of the separation of powers in a presidential form of government? A. to ensure that no branch has more power over another B. to ensure that political authority rests with the people C. to ensure that the executive branch is under the direct control of the legislative branch D. to ensure that local and national governments are co-equal partners

A

16. Which of the basic concepts expressed below is an underlying principle of the Federal Government created by the U.S. Constitution? A. "The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom." —John Locke B. "The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the Union, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed . . ." — Alexander Hamilton C. "I look on that paper as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people." —Patrick Henry D. "These lawyers, and men of learning, and monied men . . . expect to get into Congress themselves . . . and get all the power and all the money. . . ." —Amos Singletary

A

8. What is the difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy? A. In an autocracy, a single person holds all the power. In an oligarchy, a small group of people hold the power. B. An autocracy is a form of dictatorship. An oligarchy is a form of democracy. C. In an autocracy, a small group of people hold the power. In an oligarchy, a single person holds the power. D. An autocracy is a form of democracy. An oligarchy is a form of dictatorship.

A

15. Which of these compromises directly impacted the establishment of a two-house legislature in the U.S. Constitution? A. the Missouri Compromise B. the Connecticut Compromise C. the Three-Fifths Compromise D. the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

B

2. Which of the following lists the three basic powers a government must have? A. executive power, legislative power, military power B. legislative power, executive power, judicial power C. economic power, judicial power, legislative power D. judicial power, diplomatic power, executive power

B

3. Use the following quotation to answer the question. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." —James Madison, Federalist No. 51 Which of the following BEST summarizes this idea? A. Government is necessary to make policy, but should not control people. B. Government is necessary, because people do not always behave perfectly. C. Government is not necessary, but people are better off when it exists. D. Government is not necessary, because people are naturally good.

B

6. According to John Locke, political society is created when individuals voluntarily form a government to create and enforce laws, thereby protecting the people who form that government. In this social contract, people give up some of their power to the government, which then rules in their interest. This is the basis of which of the following concepts? A. separation of powers B. government by consent C. common law D. absolute monarchy

B

7. Which statement BEST describes a feature of a presidential form of government? A. The President remains in office as long as he has support from the majority of the American people. B. The legislative and executive branches are coequal. C. The President has significant powers that are subject to direct control of the legislative branch. D. There is a lack of checks and balances.

B

1. What is government? A. the services provided a community, such as police protection, fire protection, and public health programs B. the laws that protect peoples‟ rights and ensure the safety of a state's" citizens C. the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies D. the process by which public officials are elected to and removed from office

C

12. Why did the Articles of Confederation specify that each State would have one vote, regardless of size or population? A. It made the passing of laws more efficient. B. A unicameral government requires one vote per State. C. The smaller States feared domination by the larger States. D. The authors of the Articles were determined to create a limited government.

C

4. In what way is the United States a representative democracy? A. Citizens allow a self-appointed elite to make decisions for them. B. Citizens decide laws and policies directly in mass meetings. C. Citizens choose small groups of people to make laws and policy for them. D. Citizens elect a President who has absolute power to make decisions for them.

C

11. In what way did the new government established by the Articles of Confederation reflect the colonists' determination to prevent the central government from becoming too powerful? A. States were represented by one delegate per region. B. Congress issued money called Continentals but they soon became worthless. C. States were represented based on property ownership. D. There was a central government that did not have the power to enforce its decisions.

D

13. Shays' Rebellion was a result of economic chaos caused by which weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation? A. Congress had no power to levy taxes and shared power with the States to raise armies. B. Congress had no power to levy taxes and there was no judicial branch to interpret laws. C. No changes to the Articles were possible without consent of all 13 States. D. Congress had no power to regulate commerce and had no power to coin money.

D

14. The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation eventually led the States to determine it was necessary to establish A. a bicameral legislature. B. a national judicial system. C. a congressional voting policy based on population. D. a stronger national government.

D

5. A legitimate government is A. one in which government leaders obtain and keep power by using force. B. one that offers the fastest solutions to a nation‟s problems and citizens‟ needs. C. one that is created by a union of many smaller groups that could not obtain power on their own. D. one that is accepted by its people and other governments as the sovereign authority of a nation.

D

9. Which of the following is considered an advantage of a federal system of government? A. Independent states work together to solve issues of common concern but retain their own identities. B. Power rests with one central agency that determines what powers local governments can and cannot have. C. Member states determine how much power the government has. D. Power is divided between a central government and many local governments.

D