FCLE Review: Key Political Science Terms & Definitions

Which right did the colonists consider "inalienable" in the Declaration of Independence?

A) privacy

B) trial by jury

C) pursuit of happiness

D) voting

C) pursuit of happiness

Which United States Supreme Court decision focused on how states count popular votes for president and vice president?

A) Bush v. Gore (2000)

B) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

C) Baker v. Carr (1962)

D) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

A) Bush v. Gore (2000)

In what 1620 document do the writers form a "civil body politic"?

A) the Mayflower Compact

B) the Articles of Confederation

C) the Magna Carta

D) the Declaration of Independence

A) the Mayflower Compact

Which United States Supreme Court case held that persons accused of crimes must be advised of their Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights upon their arrest?

A) Engel v. Vitale (1962)

B) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

C) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

D) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

B) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

What is an example of representation?

A) The bureaucracy establishes national regulations.

B) The court system rules on a dispute between two states.

C) The U.S. Congress passes a law.

D) The Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court writes a majority opinion.

C) The U.S. Congress passes a law.

What are two natural rights identified in the Declaration of Independence?

A) bear arms and life

B) jury trials and liberty

C) life and liberty

D) jury trials and bear arms

C) life and liberty

Which action is an example of petitioning the government?

A) lobbying officials

B) serving on a jury

C) becoming politically informed

D) paying taxes

A) lobbying officials

Which United States Supreme Court holding impacted the way that religious practice was approached in public schools?

A) Engel v. Vitale (1962)

B) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

C) Roe v. Wade (1973)

D) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A) Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Which of the following cases reinforced the federal government's authority to run a federal institution without interference by a state?

A) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

B) Engel v. Vitale (1962)

C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Which of the following cases reinforced the power of the courts?

A) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Which statement from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment?

A) "That...keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace...is agains law;"

B) "That the...power of suspending the laws...without consent of

Parliament is illegal"

C) "That excessive bail ought not be required...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted;"

D) "That the freedom of speech...in Parliament ought not to be...questioned in any court"

C) "That excessive bail ought not be required...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted;"

Which of the following is a right reserved for U.S. citizens only?

A) getting an education

B) purchasing a home

C) running for federal office

D) working for pay

C) running for federal office

What is the purpose of the Selective Service System?

A) to draft for compulsory military service

B) to protect presidential candidates during the campaign

C) to establish justice

D) to promote equality

A) to draft for compulsory military service

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

A) the Speaker

B) the Chief Justice

C) the Majority Leader

D) the President

D) the President

Which United States Supreme Court decision was based on the Equal Protection Clause?

A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B) Engel v. Vitale (1962)

C) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

D) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

C) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Which United States Supreme Court case focused on executive privilege?

A) Bush v. Gore (2000)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

C) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

D) Johnson v. Texas (1989)

C) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

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

A) Roe v. Wade (1973)

B) District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

C) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

D) Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

A) Roe v. Wade (1973)

Which phrase in the U.S. Constitution addresses the power to seize property?

A) writ of habeas corpus

B) reserved powers

C) bills of attainder

D) eminent domain

D) eminent domain

What is the first phrase of the U.S. Constitution?

A) "When in the course of human events"

B) "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union"

C) "The present situation of the world is indeed without a parallel"

D) "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence"

B) "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union"

Which of the following documents provided an outline for a state-centered government?

A) Federalist Papers

B) Bill of Rights

C) Articles of Confederation

D) Common Sense

C) Articles of Confederation

How did the holding in the United States Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) impact criminal defendants?

A) It established that defendants were protected against self-incrimination

B) It established that defendants had freedom of speech

C) It established that defendants had the right to a speedy trial

D) It established that defendants had the right to counsel

D) It established that defendants had the right to counsel

Which is a core theme of the Anti-Federalist Papers?

A) The Constitution should reflect checks and balances.

B) The Constitution should promote a strong central government

C) Government should support executive orders.

D) Government should support enumerated individual rights.

D) Government should support enumerated individual rights.

Which document represents the supreme law of the land?

A) the Articles of Confederation

B) the Declaration of Independence

C) the U.S. Constitution

D) the Mayflower Compact

C) the U.S. Constitution

What is an example of federalism?

A) the principle that the national and state governments share power

B) Congress's power to declare war

C) the President's power to nominate ambassadors

D) separation of powers between branches of government

A) the principle that the national and state governments share power

The U.S. Constitution requires that the President be elected by whom?

A) the Electoral College

B) Congress

C) the popular vote

D) state legislatures

A) the Electoral College

Why did many colonists fight the British during the American Revolution?

A) because they opposed the formation of courts

B) because they opposed the parliamentary system

C) because they opposed the federal system

D) because they opposed taxation without representation

D) because they opposed taxation without representation

Who signs proposed bills into federal laws?

A) the Speaker of the House of Representatives

B) the President of the United States

C) the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

D) the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate

B) the President of the United States

Which United States Supreme Court decision was based on the Necessary and Proper Clause?

A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B) West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)

C) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

D) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

What is one right included in the First Amendment?

A) bear arms

B) jury trial

C) legal representation

D) free speech

D) free speech

Which point of view is reflected in Common Sense?

A) The monarchy creates limited government

B) Representatives should be elected

C) Representatives should be appointed

D) The monarchy supports self-government

B) Representatives should be elected

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

A) eminent domain

B) checks and balances

C) bills of attainder

D) the Electoral College

B) checks and balances

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

A) the residents of a single congressional district

B) the residents of a single state

C) the residents of several states

D) the residents of Washington, D.C.

B) the residents of a single state

Which of the following was established by a constitutional amendment?

A) The Senate may ratify treaties negotiated by the House of Representatives.

B) Senators may serve no more than two terms.

C) The President may sign bills passed by both houses of Congress.

D) The President may serve no more than two elected terms.

D) The President may serve no more than two elected terms.

What is the length of a U.S. Representative's elected term?

A) four years

B) eight years

C) two years

D) six years

C) two years

Which government officials are elected by the people?

A) federal court judges

B) bureaucrats

C) federal congressional staffers

D) mayors

D) mayors

Which of the following correctly pairs a document with a core theme of that document?

A) Declaration of Independence/Formed a state-centered government

B) Magna Carta/Established the principle of the rule of law

C) U.S. Constitution/Formed a unitary government

D) Articles of Confederation/Established the principle of consent of the governed

B) Magna Carta/Established the principle of the rule of law

Which United States Supreme Court decision was based on the Free Exercise Clause?

A) West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)

B) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A) West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)

How did District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) impact state's rights?

A) It expanded the ability of states to create "free speech zones" that limited First Amendment rights

B) It reduced the ability of states to place restrictions on Second Amendment rights

C) It expanded the ability of states to implement the death penalty under the Eighth Amendment

D) It reduced the ability of states to seize "illegal proceeds of a crime before trial" under the Fourth Amendment

B) It reduced the ability of states to place restrictions on Second Amendment rights

What is the highest federal court in the United States?

A) the Court of Appeals

B) the Circuit Court

C) the District Court

D) the Supreme Court

D) the Supreme Court

Which phrase from a letter written by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 reflects a freedom in the Bill of Rights?

A) "my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents"

B) "the legitimate powers of government reach actions only"

C) "Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation"

D) "building a wall of separation between Church and State"

D) "building a wall of separation between Church and State"

What are the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence called?

A) the Article

B) the Sections

C) the Amendments

D) the Preamble

D) the Preamble

How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution currently have?

A) 17

B) 22

C) 27

D) 10

C) 27

Which part of government was created to reflect the colonists' position that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed?

A) the executive

B) the legislature

C) the judiciary

D) the bureaucracy

B) the legislature

Which structure found in the U.S. Constitution was included as a response to a concern expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

A) separation of powers

B) limited monarchy

C) universal suffrage

D) unitary government

A) separation of powers

Which two steps are required in order for someone to become Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?

A) nomination by the Vice President, confirmation by the House of Representatives

B) nomination by the President, confirmation by the Senate

C) nomination by the Vice President, confirmation by the Senate

D) nomination by the President, confirmation by the House of Representatives

B) nomination by the President, confirmation by the Senate

Which of the following cases impacted interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment?

A) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

B) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

C) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

D) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

D) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Which of the following documents provided a rationale for the Declaration of Independence?

A) U.S. Constitution

B) Federalist Papers

C) Bill of Rights

D) Common Sense

D) Common Sense

What is one power of the U.S. Senate?

A) impeach government officials

B) declare laws unconstitutional

C) ratify international treaties

D) ratify constitutional amendments

C) ratify international treaties

Which United States Supreme Court case focused on whether an enslaved person, having lived in free territory, should be free?

A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

C) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

D) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

C) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

Which phrase from a letter written by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams in 1776 is reflected in the Nineteenth Amendment?

A) "Are not...the common people vassals"

B) "I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them"

C) "some individuals discover [sic] a sense of honour and justice"

D) "that generous...principal [sic] of doing to others as we would that others should do unto us...."

B) "I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them"

What is the purpose of the Seventeenth Amendment?

A) to eliminate the bureaucracy

B) to establish congressional term limits

C) to limit judicial power

D) to promote democratic participation

D) to promote democratic participation

Which phrase from a letter written by Sarah Grimké in 1837 is reflected in the Fourteenth Amendment?

A) "But I am in search of truth;"

B) "opposition to a corrupt public opinion"

C) "It is impossible that we should fulfill our duties, unless we comprehend them"

D) "I ask no favors for my sex. I surrender not our claim to equality."

D) "I ask no favors for my sex. I surrender not our claim to equality."

Which phrase from the English Bill of Rights (1689) is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's Third Amendment?

A) "That election of members...ought to be free"

B) "That...keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace...is against law"

C) "That the...power of suspending the laws...without consent of Parliament is illegal"

D) "That excessive bail ought not be required...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted"

B) "That...keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace...is against law"

Which United States Supreme Court decision resulted in reduced power for state governments?

A) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

B) Roe v. Wade (1973)

C) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

D) Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

B) Roe v. Wade (1973)

Which United States Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?

A) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

C) Plessy v. Fergusson (1896)

D) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

B) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

What is one branch of the U.S. federal government?

A) parliamentary

B) state

C) legislative

D) monarchical

C) legislative

Which part of the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of religion?

A) Article 1

B) the Bill of Rights

C) the Preamble

D) Article 2

B) the Bill of Rights

What is one chamber of the U.S. Congress?

A) Senate

B) Democrats

C) Cabinet

D) Republicans

A) Senate

What is the minimum number of members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing each state?

A) one

B) four

C) three

D) two

A) one

Which of the following cases impacted Fourth Amendment protections at the state level?

A) Roe v. Wade (1973)

B) District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

C) Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

D) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

C) Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

How did the holding in the United States Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona (1966) impact criminal defendants?

A) It established that defendants were protected against self-incrimination.

B) It established that defendants had freedom of speech.

C) It established that defendants had the right to a speedy trial

D) It established that defendants had the right to counsel.

A) It established that defendants were protected against self-incrimination.

What is an example of a democratic process?

A) The Environmental Protection Agency adopts a regulation

B) The U.S. Supreme Court rules on a case

C) The President signs an executive order

D) The people elect a governer

D) the people elect a governer

What is due process?

A) fair treatment in judicial proceedings

B) the process for assigning bills to committee

C) the process for electing the president

D) procedures required to enact laws

A) fair treatment in judicial proceedings

Which supreme Court ruling held that the authors of the U.S. Constitution did not intend for African Americans to be U.S. citizens?

A) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

B) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

C) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

D) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

C) Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

What is the length of a U.S. Senator's elected term?

A) two years

B) six years

C) four years

D) eight years

B) six years

Which scenario represents a violation of the Equal Protection Clause?

A) A state law establishes a minimum driving speed on federal highways

B) A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women

C) A proposed constitutional amendment establishes a minimum age to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court

D) A proposed constitutional amendment establishes a minimum education requirement to serve as President

B) A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women

Which of the following represents the goal of the Supremacy Clause?

A) States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws

B)The U.S. Supreme Court may decide to reject an appeal from a lower court

C) Congress may settle disputes between the United States and another country

D) Presidents may not form congressional committees

A) States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws

What is a purpose of civil rights movements?

A) to advance communism

B) to secure equalities

C) to expand state power

D) to create new rights

B) to secure equalities

Based on the U.S. Constitution, which part of government was intended to hold the least power?

A) the judiciary

B) the legislative branch

C) the executive branch

D) the military

A) the judiciary

What is an example of judicial review?

A) the power of the President to nominate federal judges.

B) the power of the House of Representatives to impeach public officials

C) the power of the Supreme Court to find laws unconstitutional

D) the power of the President to issue pardons to convicted criminals

C) the power of the Supreme Court to find laws unconstitutional

What is an example of a power reserved to the states?

A) declaring war

B) creating school systems

C) coining money

D) making treaties

B) creating school systems

What is the length of a U.S. President's elected term?

A) four years

B) eight years

C) two years

D) six years

A) four years

If both the U.S. President and the U.S. Vice President are unable to serve, who acts as president?

A) the Senate Majority Leader

B) the Speaker of the House

C) the Chief Justice

D) the Secretary of State

B) the Speaker of the House

Which United States Supreme Court case is correctly paired with the constitutional amendment on which it focused?

A) Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)/Fourth Amendment

B) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)/First Amendment

C) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)/First Amendment

D) Bush v. Gore (2000)/Fourth Amendment

C) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)/First Amendment

What does the U.S. Constitution do?

A) It creates a unitary government

B) It sets up a federal government

C) It lists grievances against the British king

D) It declares political independence

B) It sets up a federal government

Why does Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution require that tax bills be introduced in the House of Representatives?

A) because the president must spend authorized funds

B) because the original English colonists were taxed without their consent

C) because financial contracts between the original English colonists and their home country were not honored

D) because the president must enact a budget

B) because the original English colonists were taxed without their consent

Who is Commander in Chief of the military?

A) the Attorney General

B) the President

C) the Speaker of the House

D) the Secretary of Defense

B) the President

Which phrase is included in the Declaration of Independence?

A) "in order to form a more perfect union"

B) "all men are created equal"

C) "I pledge allegiance, to the flag"

D) "promote the general welfare"

B) "all men are created equal"

What is one responsibility of only U.S. citizens?

A) serving on a jury

B) paying taxes

C) attending public meetings

D) petitioning the government

A) serving on a jury

What are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution called?

A) the Bill of Rights

B) the Articles of Confederation

C) the Federalist Papers

D) the Declaration of Rights

A) the Bill of Rights

What is one qualification to serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives?

A) be at least 40 years old

B) be a natural born U.S. citizen

C) be at least 25 years old

D) be a resident of his or her state for at least 10 years

C) be at least 25 years old

How many U.S. Senators represent each state?

A) two

B) It varies based on the state's population

C) one

D) It varies based on the state's geographic size

A) two

How did the U.S. Constitution resolve the dispute between slave and free states over representation?

A) Three-Fifths Compromise

B) Missouri Compromise

C) Commerce Clause

D) Supremacy Clause

A) Three-Fifths Compromise

Which United States Supreme Court decision was based on the First Amendment?

A) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

B) U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

C) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

According to the authors of the Declaration of Independence, who is responsible for protecting natural rights?

A) interest groups

B) the government

C) political parties

D) the people

B) the government

Which right from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment?

A) "to petition the king"

B) "may have arms for their defense"

C) "election of members...ought to be free"

D) "excessive bail ought not to be required"

A) "to petition the king"

Who has the power to veto bills?

A) the Chief Justice

B) the Speaker of the House

C) the President

D) the Senate Majority Leader

C) the President

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

A) declared independence from Great Britain

B) declared independence from Germany

C) declared independence from Spain

D) declared independence from France

A) declared independence from Great Britain

Which of the following pairs of cases impacted First Amendment rights?

A) Texas v. Johnson (1989) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

B) West Virginia v. Barnette (1943) and U.S. v. Nixon (1974)

C) Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) U.S. v. Nixon (1974) and Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

A) Texas v. Johnson (1989) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Which of the following pairs of cases focused on the rights of public school students?

A) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) and Engel v. Vitale (1962)

B) Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

C) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

D) Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

C) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)

Which is a shared power in the federal system?

A) collecting taxes

B) declaring war

C) establishing post offices

D) making treaties

A) collecting taxes

Which of the following pairs of United States Supreme Court Cases resulted in limiting the power for local governments?

A) Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) and Bush v. Gore (2000)

B) Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

C) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and West Virginia v. Barnette (1943)

D) Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

B) Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Which document was adopted by the newly independent United States to organize the national government after declaring independence?

A) the Northwest Ordinance

B) the Articles of Confederation

C) the Mayflower Compact

D) the Magna Carta

B) the Articles of Confederation

Which is a core theme of the Federalist Papers?

A) State governments should have greater say in decisions of the federal government

B) The proposed Bill of Rights should be ratified

C) Federal action should require approval by a majority of the states

D) The proposed Constitution should be ratified

D) The proposed Constitution should be ratified

What is popular sovereignty?

A) rule by an oligarchy

B) rule by the people

C) rule by a monarch

D) rule by a dictator

B) rule by the people

The colonists used a political cartoon with the caption "Join or Die" to support which action?

A) forming their own government

B) creating local communities

C) promoting international treaties

D) establishing their own schools

A) forming their own government

Which of the following pairs of cases limited the rights of African Americans?

A) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) and Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

B) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

C) Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

D) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and Dred Scott v Sandford (1857)

D) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and Dred Scott v Sandford (1857)

Which of the following represents the principle of consent of the governed?

A) Individuals elect members of the House of Representatives

B) The people elect the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

C) The people debate on social media

D) Individuals have the right to jury trials

A) Individuals elect members of the House of Representatives

What is the "rule of law"?

A) No one is above the law

B) Only citizens must follow the law

C) The President may suspend laws in an emergency

D) Government officials are exempt from the law

A) No one is above the law

What is the social contract?

A) The government promises to protect countries that become independent

B) The people give up some liberty to receive governmental protection

C) The people promise to not commit crimes as a condition of parole

D) The government requires new citizens to register to vote

B) The people give up some liberty to receive governmental protection